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February 27, 2009

Sanitize your sponges

Submitted by SiteEditor Read more daily challenge, eco-friendly, home life, and organizing
Challenge Yourself for: 24 Hours

Ever find yourself wishing you could scrub your sponges? Here’s a better idea: microwave them or run them through the dishwasher. In 2007, the Agricultural Research Service (the principle research agency of the USDA) did a study comparing how many pathogens, yeasts, and molds were killed by various sponge sanitizing methods. Their findings? Soaking sponges in bleach, lemon juice, and deionized water only killed 37 to 87% of bacteria, whereas microwaving and dishwashing methods killed over 99%.

Today, challenge yourself to microwave your sponges for about one minute or run them through the dishwasher (including a drying cycle) so that they get really clean.

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32 comments

  1. User_48
    celrog 8 months ago

    I’ve been microwaving my sponges for about 3 years now and it really works, especially when I’ve got four kids to keep healthy.

  2. Tina_sideview
    tinalynn58 8 months ago

    I quit using sponges years ago and started using paper towels or pre-moistened cleaning cloths, though I have heard about microwaving your sponges. I use a dishrag for washing the dishes and I put a little bleach in the wash water for sanitizing, rinse very well of course.

  3. User_48
    PeaceBrah 8 months ago

    I’ve never heard of this sanitizing practice. It makes perfect sense, I’ll give it a shot. Does it work for dish cloths and/or non-metallic scrubbers as well?

  4. User_48
    wingnut 8 months ago

    I don’t like the idea of putting a smelly sponge in my microwave. I prefer to run some water in the sink and ad a capful of bleach, drop in the sponge and sanitize my sponge and clean the sink at the same time.

  5. User_48
    jbyrd702 8 months ago

    I was going to stop using sponges until I saw this.

  6. User_48
    DOMEREGO 8 months ago

    i have been doing this for years!

  7. Kashi
    klusk 8 months ago

    Because of the pathogens, yeasts and molds…....... we just consider sponges as a disposal cleaning item. Sponges are cheap and we just do not take a chance on risking an illness.

  8. User_48
    sabablue 8 months ago

    We’ve been throwing our sponges and scrubbers in the dishwasher for years. Works great.

  9. User_48
    Mayanbakelover 8 months ago

    I love an easy challenge!

  10. 2009_so_far
    tjaskolski 8 months ago

    I try to remember to run my sponges and scrubs in the dishwasher every other cycle or so.

  11. Emma
    rieg2loz 8 months ago

    I heard about the microwave solution on the news..I will give the dishwasher a try..

  12. User_48
    prepyboi35 8 months ago

    I use my microwave as I don’t own a dishwasher…. works fabulously!

  13. User_48
    berbw 8 months ago

    I simply rinse mine in white vinegar. It kills all the germs and any lingering odors.

  14. User_48
    Lana_1 8 months ago

    i put mine in laundry with towels. it works great it.

  15. User_48
    Riella 8 months ago

    I also use the sponge in the dishwasher,but I change my sponge out every 2 wks and then use then for cleaning cupboards and floor.

  16. Dsc00136
    cherrymelon78 8 months ago

    Whenever I run he dishwasher, I throw my sponges in there. But when the sponges get to used looking I replace them. I guess about every two months. But because I go through so many sponges, Sometimes I take a rag and some dish detergent and scrub my counters because then I am not throwing things in the trash!!

  17. User_48
    aleach61 8 months ago

    I microwave my sponges and my dishcloths. I also run sponges thru the dishwasher about once a week.

  18. User_48
    flowerlove79 8 months ago

    This is an easy one since I’m already in the habit of keeping sponges sanitary and frequently using paper towels or just pitching a sponge that encountered a really gross job. EVERYBODY should be in the habit of this.

  19. 015
    nickymahan27 8 months ago

    I dont own a dishwasher nor a microwave…so I throw mine in the wash cycle with my kitchen rags :)

  20. User_48
    WojoKL 8 months ago

    As many show I also microwave my sponges and have done so for years. Now if I could just get the rest of the family to think of it when I am traveling for work. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve come home after a week or so and see the sponge looking bad.