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In the December issue of Journal of Environmental Health a study involving sponge germs revealed that a quick spin in the microwave left kitchen and bathroom sponges virtually germ-free.
Researchers concocted an awful mix of things we won’t mention here and then soaked their sponges in it. After 2 minutes at full power, 99 percent of germs were terminated. Four minutes were required for B. cereus spores, known to be tough little critters to kill.
Although most of us would never subject our sponges to the kinds of things the laboratory sponges fell victim to, our sponges do encounter pathogens all the same (eggs, meat, etc).
The method is simple and quick: wet your sponge and place it in the microwave at full power for 2-4 minutes. Do this every other day.
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Be sure to WET YOUR SPONGE. A dry sponge in the microwave will burn up and cause a fire.
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Originally Posted by mommy2mercedes
The method is simple and quick: wet your sponge and place it in the microwave at full power for 2-4 minutes. Do this every other day.
Great point. But be sure the sponge is wet (damp). I saw on the news that a few people tried it out after seeing the report and set their kitchens on fire putting a dry sponge in the microwave.
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Originally Posted by jnbythesea
Be sure to WET YOUR SPONGE. A dry sponge in the microwave will burn up and cause a fire.
Great minds think alike. We must have responded at the same time.
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I throw mine through the dishwasher atleast every other day.
Jen
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I've heard the microwave for 30 seconds helps...
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I've heard about the microwave, but never have tried it. I've always put mine in the dishwasher.
Thanks
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Due to the yuck factor I don't use sponges anymore. I use a dish cloth and change it every day.
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Ladies - thanks for the tips - especially the repeat reminder to wet it - I sometime need to read/hear it more than once to absorb it.
Erica