They may look harmless but research has shown that kitchen sponges could harbour up to 200,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. This is because the moist crevices inside a sponge are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. In addition, they tend to be left close to the sink where they stay damp for hours. That’s not good news for anyone that uses a sponge to do the dishes or to wipe down kitchen worktops.
Many of us choose to use the little brightly coloured kitchen sponges because they are cheap and effective. However, if you are using the sponges to wash the dishes, wipe down counter tops and clean your table; you could be spreading bacteria across all of your kitchen surfaces – including food preparation areas. This could lead to stomach upsets or food poisoning. It’s important therefore to know how to use sponges safely.
Keep it clean
Remember to clean your sponge each time you use it. There are a few ways you can do this. One way to ensure your sponge is germ-free is to give it a quick blast in the microwave before using it. Simply wet the sponge and then pop it into the microwave for two minutes to kill the bacteria. However, to avoid fires, you should never microwave a dry sponge or one containing metal. Also, to avoid scolds, make sure you let the sponge cool before handling.
If you don’t want to use a microwave to clean your sponge, you can soak it in a bleach solution or for a natural alternative to bleach, make a solution using white vinegar and water.
Discard used sponges regularly
Because they are cheap and can be bought in large multi-packs, it’s easy to swap a used sponge for a new one on a regular basis. So remember to discard used sponges every few days. If your sponge becomes smelly or looks grimy, throw it away immediately. If you’re worried about the environmental impact of discarding old sponges, you may wish to look at using traditional re-usable dishcloths instead. But like sponges, dishcloths can also harbour germs so remember to wash them regularly on a high temperature to keep them clean.
Leave to dry
A damp sponge is more likely to contain harmful germs than a dry one as bacteria thrives in damp conditions so don’t leave your sponge lying in the washing up bowl or on a damp countertop. Instead, wash away any loose food after use, wring out the sponge and leave to air in a dry location – if you can peg your sponge up or even rest it on one end, it will dry more quickly.
Stick to one job
It’s best to just use your sponge for one specific task such as washing the dishes. Then have a different cloth for wiping down worktops and tables. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria from one surface to another.
For more tips on how to get everyday items clean: visit: www.howtocleanstuff.net
