I like to keep my kitchen sparkling and often reach for a sponge and some sort of surface cleaner. And although I don't get grossed out easily, the kitchen sponge is something that freaks me out if I think about it too long. All those gross germs hanging around, spreading themselves from surface to surface *shudder* I really can't handle it. However, I know that a sponge is a great kitchen tool - it's a reusable, quick way to wipe down dishes, clean countertops, etc. So what's a gal to do? Do I rinse it under warm soapy water or do I clean it with bleach? What's the best way to keep a sponge in rotation, while keeping the spread of bacteria to a minimum? Well, lucky for us, scientists at the Agricultural Research Service tested several methods for reducing risks in reused sponges. They did this by soaking sponges at room temperature for 48 hours in a ground beef/lab growth mixture, then they went about "cleaning" them. To learn what they discovered, read more
The ARS scientists treated the sponges in five commonly used ways.
- Soaked for 3 minutes in a 10% chlorine bleach solution.
- Soaked in lemon juice or deionized water for 1 minute.
- Heated in a microwave for 1 minute.
- Placed in a dishwasher operating with a drying cycle.
- Left untreated.
Strangely, the sponges soaked in the bleach solution, the lemon/deionized water and the sponges left untreated each only killed 37-87% of the bacteria. While microwaving killed 99.9999% and the dishwasher killed 99.9998%. Microwaving and dishwashing also killed most (over 99%) of the mold and yeasts, while the other treatments left them behind.
Long story short, if you really want to clean out those sponges, you might want to take them for a spin in the dishwasher or microwave between uses.
Source: Agricultural Research Service
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Urban Decay
Kookai
This is good to know. I hated bleaching and throwing away so many sponges because I think it's bad for the environment but putting them in the dishwasher is easy.
1I run mine through the dishwasher.
2I've always put mine in the dishwasher. Never thought of the microwave
3Awesome, thanks for the info.
4Microwave is a great idea!
5If you put it in the microwave, make sure it's wet or the sponge will melt. I learned this from my microbiology prof in school
6Wow. I would think good old bleach would have done the trick.
7I didn't know the dishwasher worked so well. I put mine in there and also microwave them. I've heard different times so it's good to have one minute confirmed. Thanks for the info!
8I cannot do sponges...just like I cannot do wood handeled knives or wooden cutting boards. I am such a germ freak!
9Wow, great tips! Thanks!
10I use paper towels and when my kitchen sponge gets old simply replace it with a new one.
11Great to know thanks.
12great tips. thanks!
Something else I'd love to see: a post about surface cleaners that are safe and non-toxis. I'm worried about wiping down cutting boards and countertops with sprays that contain ammonia and other chemicals.
13Great idea, thanks. My husband uses sponges, but I'm a germ freak. I either use paper towels with 409 antibacterial or Clorox wipes.
14I knew about the dishwasher, but the microwave is so much faster! There are just some things that are easier to clean with a sponge!
15A couple days after I first heard about the microwave tip, I heard about smoking sponges... DEFINITELY make sure it's damp! Also, the first time I tried it there was some soap left in the sponge, which started bubbling out not too soon after starting its minute.
16Microwaving sponges in the future. I hate sponges that are all gross and then have to use them to clean. Blech!
Thanks for this suggestion.
17bellasugar - seventh generation makes great non-toxic and environmentally safe cleaning products! you can get them at whole foods. they make other great products too. i use their recycled paper towels and toilet paper.
and i mircowave my sponges all the time!
18hmm... interesting. I didn't know the microwave trick.
19We usually just throw it out and get a new one. But I think we'll try the microwave trick now... Interesting! Thanks for posting!
20Wow, never thought to microwave or run through the dishwasher, I always just threw them away. Is the microwave good for the ones with the scrubby stuff on the side? I always thought that had like steel wool or some other metal in it.
21I always pop mine through the dishwasher and up until I read that ... didn't think that was good enough. Glad to know that it's just (about) as good as nuking it!! Yay ... so much easier to do, too!!
22I have been microwaving my sponges for years. My bf thought I was nuts, but who's laughing now?
23I have heard of the microwave method, but forgot about it. Thanks, I should do this today!
24I will be microwaving!
25really awesome. at the office we have to use the same sponge in the kitchen. it's so gross. i usually take my dishes home or use disposable plastic ware because i'm so scared of what's on the sponge. i'll be throwing it in the microwave monday morning!
26Glad to know the two methods I use work the best! I almost always throw my sponge in the dishwasher when I do a load of dishes and then if it gets too icky or if I've cleaned up a big mess, I throw it in the microwave. Just make sure if you use the microwave that you moisten the sponge first. I know people who have put it in dry and it will burn it.
27Thanks!
good to know! thanks
28My dad tried microwaving a sponge and it was a disaster. It caught on fire and made the house smell like smoky mold. Even if you put something else in with it, I still think it will make your house smell weird (the sponge didn't even smell initially). Just throw your sponges away. They're clearly cheap enough, haha.
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