Nobody wants disease-causing bacteria near their food, so germs in the kitchen sponge you use to clean your dishes is a no-no.
In other words, you need to disinfect this handy cleaning tool. Contrary to what some people believe, regular soapy water is not enough to keep kitchen sponges germ-free for longer. Try one of these methods instead!
Method #1. Bleach
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses thrive in your kitchen sponge, even if they’re invisible to the naked eye. So, when taking care of these hidden threats, you need a proven disinfectant. A widely used household product for this is bleach, a powerful solution that kills most microorganisms in your kitchen sponge.
The method is simple, but you should take precautions when using bleach—for example, ensure the area is ventilated and wear gloves. To carry out this method, soak the sponge in a bowl filled with bleach for ten minutes. Then, take out the sponge, rinse it under the faucet, and wring it out.
Method #2. Microwave
While some microorganisms thrive in harsh conditions, most bacteria that make people sick can’t live in high temperatures. So, what’s the easiest way to heat something in your kitchen? That’s right; disinfecting your sponges with the microwave is possible!
Like the previous one, this method is straightforward. Soak your sponge in plain water and put it in the microwave for two minutes. Then, carefully take out the sponge and wring it out.
Warning: Don’t use this method if your sponges have metal or plastic fibers. Popping metal inside the microwave can create sparks, while plastic could melt.
Method #3. Dishwasher
Dishwashers have different washing cycles that use hot water and air. These high temperatures kill bacteria, which makes dishwashers an easy way to disinfect sponges.
To use the dishwasher method, place your sponges on the top rack of the appliance and run a dry-heat cycle. This will pump hot air into the sponges, killing the germs in them.
You can even use this method if you’re washing dishes to take advantage of the load!
Method #4. Vinegar
If you’ve searched anything about cleaning online, you’ve probably seen the mention of vinegar more than once. White vinegar is widely used for cleaning because it contains acetic acid, which also acts as a mild sanitizer, killing some bacteria and viruses.
While vinegar is not as powerful as all the previous ones in this blog post, it can work as a greener alternative for this task. To sanitize your sponge, put it in a bowl filled with white vinegar for ten minutes. Then, rinse the sponge with clean water and wring it out to remove excess liquids.
Method #5. Boiling water
Since most germs and bacteria can’t live in high temperatures, you can use hot water to disinfect your kitchen sponges.
So, grab a pot and heat enough water to cover your sponge. Once the water has boiled, carefully place the sponge in the pot and leave it simmering for five minutes. Wring out the sponge when the water cools down.
Warning: Needless to say, be careful when handling boiling water! Wear oven mitts when handling the pot, and never touch the scalding water with your hands.
Pro tip: air dry your sponges
Bacteria love moist environments, so germs will likely thrive if you leave your sponges wet.
Let the sponge air dry after each use to avoid moisture and bacteria growth—to make things easier, you can get a sponge holder.
Take a break and let Fabulously Clean deal with the chores
Are you tired of keeping your cleaning tools in top shape besides tackling all the chores? Take a break and let the expert cleaners of Fabulously Clean leave your house spotless.
We offer many cleaning packages; choose the one that fits your needs. Check out our services here!
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