Table of Contents
A good rule of thumb is to replace a kitchen sponge at least once a week. “I wouldn’t go longer than a week without replacing a sponge,” says Melissa Maker, host of a cleaning YouTube channel and founder of the house cleaning service, Clean My Space.
How long does a normal sponge last?
But no matter how diligent you are about cleaning, your kitchen sponges won’t last forever. Clean them weekly, and toss shabby ones every two to three weeks, depending on use.
How often should I wash my sponge?
Replacing your kitchen sponge every week or two is the best way to prevent the spread of infection-causing bacteria and viruses. When it comes to washing your dishes (sans dishwasher), you always make sure to have your two essentials: Dish soap and a kitchen sponge.
How do you extend the life of a sponge?
Use a hanging sponge holder to keep sponges high and dry. Make sure you have a sponge holder that hangs (NOT a dish) and allows the sponge to drain and for air to come through it. Keeping the sponge high and dry when not in use is important for ensuring a long life.
Do sponges go bad?
But sponges, which can harbor more (harmful) bacteria than a chunk of blue cheese, often fly under the radar for weeks on end, well past the point of “Is it time to throw this thing out?” A good rule of thumb is to replace sponges once a week, but that can be tedious and expensive.
When should I throw away my sponge?
The CDC recommends changing your sponge every two weeks. In fact, some experts recommend you change your sponge out once a week.
Do dish sponges hold bacteria?
Kitchen sponges hold more bacteria than any other surface in your home. We use sponges every day to clean our dishes and surfaces, but in reality, they spread bacteria. To make matters worse, most conventional sponges are made from plastic and can’t be recycled or composted.
How do you sanitize a sponge?
1) Use a solution of one-quarter to one-half of a teaspoon of concentrated bleach (8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per quart of warm, not hot water. 2) Soak the sponge for one minute.
Is it better to leave a sponge wet or dry?
Keep it Dry Letting your sponge lay wet on a countertop takes longer for it to dry and allows bacteria to grow. Also, avoid leaving any damp sponges in an enclosed area such as a bucket or under the sink.
What happens when you put a sponge in the fridge?
Fridge smelling a little funky? Sprinkle a damp sponge with baking soda and place on a refrigerator shelf (away from any food). The baking soda and sponge work together to absorb foul odors. This is only one way to banish kitchen odors—here are the rest.
How do you make a dish sponge last longer?
When you are done using your sponge, rinse it out and dry it for a few minutes. Then, fill it up with a teaspoon or so of anti-bacterial dish soap. Give the sponge a good squeeze and allow the soap to soak through. Then, just hang the sponge on a sponge holder so it will be ready for use later.
Should you squeeze out a sponge?
You don’t squeeze it out. When you’re done washing dishes or wiping down surfaces with your kitchen sponge, be sure to wring it out completely. A wrung-out sponge will dry quicker than a sopping wet one, and a drier sponge equals a cleaner sponge.
Why do people leave the sponge in the sink?
A small study of 14 used sponges by researchers in Germany revealed 362 types of bacteria, with potentially pathogenic germs among those most commonly found. And store sponges in a place where they can dry out – a basket or rack, say, instead of a sink bottom – to reduce bacteria, Reynolds said.
How often should you change dish cloths?
But, in reality, dishcloths can be just as unhygienic because, like sponges, dishcloths stay in warm, moist environments and their surfaces are ideal for bacteria breeding. You should also replace cloths or dishcloths about every month or after about 30 uses.
How often should you throw out dish towels?
There you have it, people: You should be refreshing your dish towels out every three to five days (which is a faster rate than which I respond to some emails!), unless you’ve just prepped or cooked meat, in which case, wash them STAT. Consider the dish towel “risk continuum” and, when in doubt, just wash them.
How often should you change dish brush?
That’s why we recommend the 1-1-4 rule: Let your sponge dry out completely at least 1 time per week, sanitize your sponge in the dishwasher or microwave at least 1 time per week, and replace your brush or sponge once every 4 weeks.
What is the cleanest way to wash dishes?
A 2020 dishwashing study conducted by the University of Michigan found that the most energy-efficient way to wash dishes is the two-basin method, in which dishes are scrubbed in a basin of soapy water and then rinsed in a basin of clean water.
Is it better to wash dishes with a sponge or dishcloth?
Your dish rags are really no better than your sponges. And like sponges, using a dirty dish rag to clean a kitchen countertop will only spread germs. Your best bet is to replace rags about once a week. “Allow them to dry out between uses because most bacteria thrive only in moistness,” Schachter says.
Should you put sponges in the dishwasher?
The best way to clean a sponge and minimize germs is to wash the sponge daily in hot, soapy water and then microwave it wet for two minutes. You can also clean the sponge in the dishwasher. Simply, wash the sponge and then run it through the dishwasher (top rack) with the drying cycle on.
