Those new dishes might seem fresh—but even straight from the box, there could be some surprising residue left on them.

Sometimes manufacturers put "finishing chemicals" on dishes that could ... on the wall at your local big box. This second category is especially important to clean before using.

The guidelines are clear: To protect yourself from germs that can lead to viruses like influenza and COVID-19, you must wash your hands often and thoroughly for twenty seconds. But what about ...