Despite the horrid things a sports shoe can squidge through, 27 per cent of us clean our sneakers with the kitchen sponge.

Then that sponge is returned to the sink for use on dishes and benchtops, a survey of more than 1200 New Zealanders has revealed.

And that is not the only black mark on our kitchen cleaning score sheet.

For 22 per cent of people, washing a pet bowl with the kitchen cloth is common, and 39 per cent are happy to mop up a spill on the kitchen floor with their sponge or cloth before returning it to its home by the sink.

But it seems we can at least recognise unhygienic habits in others - 52 per cent would not accept a second invitation to dine at a friend's house if they saw the same thing there.

We are also a lazy lot, with 82 per cent choosing to let a pot soak to avoid washing it when it was their turn to do the dishes.

Some give up altogether, with 47 per cent admitting having thrown out a pot because it was too difficult to clean.

But while these habits are practised by a large number of Kiwis, not all are willing to put up with them. Six per cent of respondents had broken up with a partner because of their kitchen hygiene habits.

The survey also revealed that 34 per cent of people believed ATM keypads were the most unhygienic surface they touched.

Toilet flush buttons were believed to be the worst by 31 per cent, and kitchen sponges or cloths by 19 per cent.

Lift buttons, fridge handles, and pot scourers were rated the least unhygienic.

Environmental Science & Research microbiologist Dr Teck Lok Wong said toilet flush buttons presented the highest risk of harmful bacteria and viruses as they were pushed before people washed their hands.

With the exception of sponges and pot scourers, the other sites mentioned were relatively dry, offering bacteria little opportunity to grow.

But perhaps the most intriguing thing to come from the 3M New Zealand survey was that 17 per cent believed the colour of their sponge made a difference to hygiene.

The winning colour?

Nine per cent thought yellow sponges were more hygienic than others.

By Craig Borley | Email Craig