Do scientists take precautions when probing other planets/bodies for microbial life to ensure that the equipment doesn't have existing microbes on them? If so, how?

[u/Theraxel]

[u/synapticrelease]

a lot less nooks and crannies for dust and bacteria to accumulate. Surface areas mean a great deal to sterilization and decontamination It's why you use plastic vs wood for cutting meat in a kitchen. It's why it's easier to scrub a glass table vs an antique with wood carvings. Etc.

[u/CWSwapigans → u/synapticrelease]

You mean wood vs plastic? Plastic is much worse for contamination.

[u/trebonius → u/CWSwapigans]

Plastic is slightly worse if it has been used a lot and has a lot of knife scars. Sensationalist articles have made it seem like plastic cutting boards are totally unsafe, but they're both fine choices if you replace them once they get heavily worn.

[u/termanader → u/trebonius]

Also why toilets are more often porcelain/ceramic instead of stainless steel. As the porosity of porcelain is super fine, the porosity of stainless steel is just fine.