A hygiene expert has highlighted several kitchen habits that some people may not think twice about but could be helping to spread germs.

Hygiene in the kitchen is important, not least because an estimated one in six Americans (around 48 million people) get sick from foodborne diseases annually, with 3,000 of these people dying, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Cleaning is an important step in preventing these illnesses," Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of the American Cleaning Institute, which represents the U.S. cleaning products industry, told Newsweek.

According to Sansoni, keeping the same sponge for too long is among the worst things you can do when it comes to hygiene.

"This is by far one of the germiest things in the kitchen and should never be used for more than a couple of months before replacing," Sansoni said.

Another common problem is using one dish towel for everything, which can also help to spread germs.

"It can be easy to grab a dish towel for anything from drying dishes to wiping down counters and only wash it when it looks dirty. However, this can spread germs around the kitchen without you even realizing," he said.

Finally, some people might simply rinse items or their hands with water without properly cleaning them.

"Just because you've run something under the faucet does not mean it's clean," Sansoni said.

When it comes to your kitchen sponge, make sure you replace it every two to eight weeks, depending on how much you use it.

"You can clean it in between by soaking it in a solution of one quart of water to three tablespoons of chlorine bleach, then let it air dry," Sansoni said.

Regarding dish towels, it is a good idea to keep several on hand so you can put one in the laundry after use or at the end of each day with a replacement ready, according to Sansoni.

"If you use a dishcloth to clean up a spill, especially for something like raw meat juices, put it in the laundry immediately," he said.

The expert also recommends cleaning with soap or a detergent for food and kitchen hygiene.

"Wash your hands, as well as hand-washed kitchen items, thoroughly with warm water and soap, then rinse and dry," Sansoni said.

The American Cleaning Institute provides several recommendations for maintaining a hygienic environment in the kitchen:

Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters