Kitchen sponges are essential for keeping our houses clean. We rely on them to clean kitchen basics such as pots and pans, plates and bowls, and the surfaces we prepare meals on. So the last thing you should do is go for a filthy kitchen sponge. A kitchen sponge should be disinfected once a week to keep it clean. Here are five ways to clean a kitchen sponge, including using high heat and natural substances.
You’re probably aware that kitchen sponges may get quite germy. You use it to clean your dishes, cutlery, and cookware, but have you ever considered how the sponge itself is cleaned? Spoiler alert: It seldom does. Its porous, absorbent nature is a formula for catastrophe, allowing germs to gather on the sponge.
Do Wet Kitchen Sponges Have More Bacteria?
For two weeks, we cleaned dishes with six identical sponges, meticulously monitoring the quantity of food, the temperature of the water, and the amount of soap we used. We squeezed the water out of three of the sponges after each usage and hung them to dry on a dish rack. We left the other three wet and placed them in open plastic bowls to seem like sponges How to clean dish sponge with vinegar that had been dropped and left in a moist spot, such as the bottom of the sink. An independent lab assessed the overall bacterial count of each sponge in colony-forming units per millilitre (CFU/mL) after two weeks, and the difference was startling.
The sponges that had been left wet averaged over 500,000 CFU/mL, whereas the wrung-out sponges contained only 20 CFU/mL. Because the lab did not distinguish between bacterium species, we don’t know if any of these germs were potentially hazardous. However, the circumstances for developing both good and harmful bacteria are the same, and the results were clear: wet sponges do indeed contain more germs.
How to Sanitize a Kitchen Sponge?
1. To Clean a Sponge with Vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent disinfectant that is affordable, harmless, and biodegradable. It can be used to clean your microwave, drains, showerhead, and, yes, that filthy kitchen sponge. Soak your kitchen sponge in full-strength vinegar for 5 minutes to clean it organically. (There is no need to dilute it.) After ringing out the vinegar, thoroughly rinse How to clean kitchen sponge in microwave the clean kitchen sponge in warm water and set it aside to dry.
2. To Disinfect a Sponge with Bleach
Another excellent choice for cleaning kitchen sponges is bleach. In addition to bacteria, it destroys viruses, mould, and mildew. Begin by combining 3/4 cup bleach with 1 gallon of water. 5 minutes soak the kitchen sponge Rinse well with warm water, and Sponge in microwave myth you’re done.
Editor’s Note: Both bleach and vinegar have a strong stench. Always work in a well-ventilated space while cleaning with bleach. If you’d rather not use these methods, we’ll show you how to clean a kitchen sponge using heat and water next.
3. To Disinfect a Sponge in the Microwave
Another effective method for killing bacteria in a kitchen sponge is to use the microwave. Always moisten the kitchen sponge in water before using this approach since a dry sponge might spark a fire. Put it in a shallow microwave-safe dish. 5 minutes in the microwave with a moist kitchen sponge Allow 15 minutes for it to cool. Remove the kitchen sponge from the microwave and ring it out to remove any extra water.
4. To Disinfect a Sponge in Boiling Water
Although microwaves are a popular method for cleaning kitchen sponges, disinfecting a sponge without the use of a household appliance is just as simple. Instead, clean a stinky kitchen sponge in a kettle of hot water. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Put the kitchen sponge in the boiling water for 5 minutes. Allow it to completely How to disinfect sponge without microwave cool in the water before removing the kitchen sponge and ringing out excess water.
5. To Disinfect a Sponge in the Dishwasher
Cleaning a kitchen sponge in the dishwasher could be the simplest approach of all. To disinfect the sponge, place it on the top rack and run the machine through a heat-dry cycle. Although the longest, hottest cycle is the most effective, any heat-dry dishwasher setting How to clean sponges with bleach will eliminate the bacteria in your kitchen sponge.
Does Sanitizing a Sponge Clear All Bacteria?
The experts we spoke with emphasised on the need of cleaning a sponge on a regular basis. But it won’t get rid of all the bacteria or make your sponge live forever. Some research demonstrate that these procedures are successful, while others show that they only eliminate around 60% of microorganisms. There’s no way to determine how much bacteria was on your sponge to begin with, or how much has been eliminated, at home. Neither technique of at-home sanitization will significantly increase the life How to microwave sponge of your sponge. According to Yakas, a decent rule of thumb is to replace your sponge every one to two weeks, washing it regularly in between usage, and putting it somewhere where it can dry.
Which sponges are the cleanest?
Some sponges are more naturally clean than others. The most common sponge material is cellulose, which is derived from wood pulp. Cellulose sponges can be purchased with or without an abrasive scouring agent attached to one side. They’re fantastic since they’re inexpensive and effective, but because they’re porous, they tend to collect food particles. Furthermore, because they are extremely absorbent and prone to trap water, they quickly become a breeding ground for germs. A sponge composed of a How to clean a sponge with vinegar and microwave synthetic substance, such as a silicone scrub pad, or a sponge made of polymer foam, such as Scrub Daddy, would be a better alternative because they are nonporous.
How usually should you wash your sponge?
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you should clean your sponge every day. Germs and bacteria will not be able to proliferate as a result of this. Even if you clean your sponge thoroughly, be wary of cross-contamination. You should never use your dish sponge for anything other than washing dishes, such as cleaning your counters or wiping down your cutting board, as this might transmit germs. Also, never use a sponge to wipe up eggs or raw meat; instead, use disposable paper towels. According to a team of German academics who examined the microbiology of unclean sponges extensively, you should replace your sponge every week. Toss your sponge if it begins to smell before that time. That’s an indication that something is Dish sponge alternative growing!
Final Words
Cleaning kitchen sponges once a week is essential for maintaining a healthy kitchen. Kitchen sponges, on the other hand, should be replaced roughly once a month, depending on usage. Even after disinfection, if they begin to appear shabby or smell terrible, it is time for a new kitchen sponge.
