Spongeworthy…or Just Germworthy?
Think of the dirtiest, most germ-infested item in your house. You might think it’s the toilet bowl, the trash, or your three-day-old underwear. But did you think of your kitchen sponge? That moist little item is the perfect apartment building for an astounding number of germs. If replaced frequently enough and used properly, then a sponge is your friend. If misused, your friend could become your worst enemy. So how do you misuse a sponge? Well, the most common problem comes from over-extension of the sponge. It’s common for a household to own one kitchen sponge that works triple duty. Task #1 is to clean the dishes with some Palmolive. Task #2 might be to clean the dirty countertops with some 409, and then task #3 is to clean the kitchen table after dinner. Here are the cardinal rules of sponge use
- Each task should have its own sponge or towel. You don’t want to be using the same sponge to clean the raw chicken juice off the counter tops with the sponge you use to clean the dishes you’ll eat off of. A queer eye might tell you to color code. Pink is always for the dishes, green is always for the counters, and so on.
- Let your sponges dry out between uses. Most bacteria can’t survive when completely dry.
- Remove all organic particles and rinse the sponge well before letting it dry. The only thing germs love more than moist dark pores to reproduce in is old food left there for them to feast on.
- The most important rule is to replace your sponges frequently. Optimally you want to do this once a week. Make absolutely sure you don’t go more than two weeks for your dish sponge. A 99 cent sponge definitely beats using $5 worth of immodium after a major bout of diarrhea from salmonella in your kitchen sponge.
- Disinfect your sponges. You can do this by throwing them in the dishwasher and drying with high heat. You can also toss a dry sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds, or a moist sponge for a minute. This will kill about 97% of the germs, so it isn’t a complete solution, but it is a good quick fix.
- Don’t put your sponge in bleach to disinfect it. This could kill you.
Most experts agree that paper towels should be used when cleaning up after preparing raw meat, poultry, fish or the like. Then throw the paper towels away and hopefully you can save your immodium for another day.
A Focalex, Inc Property
Don’t put your sponge in bleach to disinfect it. This could kill you.
You did not explain why this is possible and I would like to know.
excellent article good info!
bleach is toxic!
Great info!!
it is very true and in fact i really thank you for this very important information given me i will start putting them into practice
Sorry, germs there may be. But I am now in my forties and have yet to actually know anyone who got sick from their kitchen sponge!! I think as long as you think about what you are using the sponge for (ie use that uncommon commonsense) you will survive. I loved the article but I am instantly reminded of those dreadful panic making ads for paper towels that were on TV a couple of years ago. Get over it or live your life in a plastic bubble!!
Thank you for your article on “Spongeworthy or just “Germworthy?
It is quite an eye-opener, as i never knew the importance of keeping the kitchen sponge dry; neither did i know that it can become a hiding place for germs.
I say well done, and you keep up the good work.
no matter what sponge I use they all smell bad after i use them. I think it has to do with the dishsoap that we use. I go through so many sponges..You can smell it across the room !! HELP!!
I never knew that two weeks was the limit for the life of sponges. I figured they die when they get ripped on a knife or fork or something.
Thanks for setting me straight!
Hi please explain the sponge and bleach reference….
I know bleach is toxic but how could it kill you if you rinse the sponge out properly or cloth!!!!!!
I am as baffled as Gary
I expect this could be why my grandchildren have frequent attacks of “stomach virus” their parents use the one sponge for everything. Thanks, I’m going to forward this to them.
I think that thise website is great becuase it gives you health tips and if u dont like them go somewere else.
Nice article.Some thoughts to ponder upon. I am also wondering how bleach ( yes, it’s toxic) used in sponges can kill if handled with the utmost care.
I have been those instant desinfecting wipes.
Once I used it initially I rinse it and use it the entire day instead of sponge. And then I toss it.
They are surprisingly hardy and miraculously cut even the worst grease on the stove top.
I placed my sponge on the microwave for more than a minute and it went up in flames, and smoked my whole house. My microwave is ruined. This will teach a lesson to everyone, if you do not remember the timing of anything, just don’t guess it. It can be fatal.I feel such a fool, I have to get a new micro now!!!!plus many sponges.