1.I will label three petri dishes for each one of the dishwashing materials. Next, I will rub a moistened sterile cotton swab across each material and streak it onto its marked petri dish. I will cover the petri dishes and put them into plastic bags at room temperature for 48 hours, and then photograph each dish.
2.I will divide the soiled utensils into 12 groups(each group will be washed with a different material). I will proceed to wash one group of the utensils with one of the sponges.
3.Then, I will rinse the sponge with soapy tap water, squeeze it out, and rub another sterile cotton swab across its surface. I will streak the cotton swab onto its labeled petri dish, and cover. Then, I will wash another group of dirty utensils with the second sponge, rinse that sponge in boiled water, and squeeze it out. I will rub a cotton swab over its surface, streak it onto another petri dish, and cover. Then, I will wash another group of dirty utensils with the third sponge, rinse it with the bleach solution, and squeeze it out. I will rub a cotton swab over its surface, streak it onto anotjher marked petri dish and cover. I will place all three dishes into plastic bags at room temperature and photograph after 48 hours.
4.I will repeat step three with the remaining groups of utensils and dishwashing materials. Then I will analyze each of the petri dishes to determine which material provided the best environment for bacterial growth and which rinsing method eliminated or counteracted the proliferation of bacteria.
5.For the next part of the experiment, I will take each of the twelve cleaning materials immediatly after rinsing them and place them seperately on the kitchen counter(near the sink). I will allow the materials to remain there for 48 hours. I will then moisten them and rub a cotton swab across their surfaces, and then streak each onto a specially marked petri dish. I will cover the dishes and put them into plastic bags at room temperature for 48 hours. I will observe my results to determine if the storage of the two types of sponges, dishcloths, or dish mops have any influence on the amount of bacteria persent in the material 48 hours after use.
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