Poll: How Often Do You Change Your Dish Sponge?

How Often Do You Change Your Dish Sponge?

October 12, 2009

Although doing dishes isn't one of my top kitchen pet peeves, hand-washing dishes with an old sponge is. The thought of spreading bacteria and grime, rather than actually cleaning an utensil or plate, makes my skin crawl more than a full moon on Halloween. Although most people simply replace their dish sponge when it starts smelling, I swap mine out much more frequently than that — probably every two to three weeks. I know it's not the greenest move in the world, but I can't help it! How often do you swap out dish sponges?

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18 Comments

jesssa 3 years 31 weeks

oh gross. sponges are absolutely revolting. basically everything goes in the dishwasher and if it can't [read: won't fit, because even things that aren't "dishwasher safe" get thrown in there to avoid having to actually touch them with my hands] i will use a sponge then throw the sponge away. and dish rags... oh don't even get me started!!!

Caittylynn 3 years 32 weeks

to keep it green and save money, pop the sponge int he microwave for two mintues. make sure it is heavy with water and the germs will be zapped! i do it almost every other day!

schonefrauen 3 years 32 weeks

Till I have money to buy another :)

Pampire 3 years 32 weeks

I absolutely hate washing dishes! That's why I use my dishwasher often, thank god for dishwashers!

muse2323 3 years 32 weeks

I use nylon scrubbies and dishcloths that I throw in the wash--well, as often as it seems necessary. My sense of smell isn't dependable, so I throw them in the wash a couple times a week. (We also use a dishwasher, so I only handwash dishes once or twice a week. Mostly the dishcloth is used for cleaning crumbs off counters and spills off the stove.) You can also microwave your cotton dishcloths for quick disinfecting. I read somewhere that 30 seconds will do the trick--it's certainly too hot to touch after that. (But generally I'm no germophobe--I'd rather have weak germs around to repopulate than the strong ones that survive all those attempts to kill them.)

mek123 3 years 32 weeks

I change to a new sponge about once a month, will have to try the microwave trick.

3 years 32 weeks

I use cotton dishcloths, and use a new one each time I do dishes. They get thrown in the laundry as soon as I am done with them. Sponges and dirty dishcloths really gross me out.

pinkerbell03 3 years 32 weeks

Like one of the above poster said, get your sponge wet, microwave for 2 minutes. Smell and bacteria gone. Also, run it through the dishwasher once or twice a week, you're good to go!

3 years 32 weeks

Like Salymsmom, I've made my own dishcloths (knitted out of cotton in my case). I have a whole mess of them, and I use clean one daily. They hold up well, and while a few have faded a lot from being bleached, I haven't yet thrown one away.

3 years 32 weeks

I bought some really cheap, scratchy yarn from Goodwill and crocheted a square twice the size of my hand. It works great and i throw it in with the laundry at least once a week. When it gets icky or starts getting old, I crochet a new one. I have made 4 so far from one 25 cent ball of yarn. Very economical, green, and sanitary.

esmerb 3 years 32 weeks

At least once a month with a weekly trip to the microwave to zap bacteria

Spectra 3 years 32 weeks

I don't use sponges...they breed Listeria spp. like you wouldn't believe. I use old rags and I use them once then toss them in the wash.

3 years 32 weeks

Here's the deal w/ the sponge- if the scrubber part on the othe side & the actual sponge itself are in good shape and not falling apart, you can sanitize it easily. Just rinse it, & squeeze it out well. Then put it on a small plate & microwave it (depends on your wattage) about 2-3 minutes. Let it cool a little, then rinse it off before putting it back in use. Very green method. The high temp reached in the microwave kills bacteria very well.

3 years 32 weeks

The thought of using a sponge for dishes is kind of gross, really. I use dishcloths, and wash them frequently. Much greener, and much more sanitary. If serious scrubbing is needed, as I have cast iron and stainless steel cookware, I use baking soda or kosher salt.

3 years 32 weeks

Twice a week. I don't use sponges though, they are little yellow&green scrubbers with a soft side and an abrasive one, they come from Dollarama in a pack of ten

3 years 32 weeks

I put the sponge thru a dishwasher cycle once a week. Then I only replace when it starts to fall apart!

3 years 32 weeks

I have not used a sponge in my house for years. I use a cheap green scrubbie that is run through the dishwasher with every load, and a clean microfiber cloth.

mamasitamalita 3 years 32 weeks

ugh as often as I can

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18 Comments

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