A dirty sponge can become a serious health hazard if you don’t do anything about it. However, some disinfecting methods are less effective than people think. Worse yet, a can even render the kitchen sponge unusable.
Of course, you can still find good disinfecting methods, but which ones actually kill most germs? Here, we share with you three proven ways to disinfect your kitchen sponge. Check them out!
Method #1. Microwave the germs away!
Some worry that microwaving a kitchen sponge to kill bacteria is a myth. Well, most viruses and bacteria can’t survive temperatures over 140°F. If microwaves can boil water, they sure can reach the needed temperature to kill germs. Here’s how to do it:
- Put your kitchen sponge in a medium-depth container.
- Fill the container with water until the sponge is half submerged. Besides helping the sponge reach the desired temperature, water also prevents the sponge from drying (and possibly burning!).
- Place the dish with the sponge inside the microwave and run it on high for one and a half minutes.
- Wait until the dish cools down to avoid accidents while taking it out.
- Remove the sponge and rinse it with clean water to finish.
Method #3. Use bleach to kill bacteria
Would you prefer to try another method not involving an appliance? Try chlorine bleach! Just remember to wear gloves, keep the area well-ventilated, and dilute it in water to keep things safe but effective. To use bleach as a disinfectant:
- Place your kitchen sponge in a deep container and cover it with water
- For every cup of water in the container, pour ¼ teaspoon of bleach.
- Let the sponge soak in the bleach solution for at least ten minutes.
- Once time’s up, remove the sponge and rinse it with clean water (squeeze it hard so it dries faster).
Method #2. Soak your sponge in boiling water
If you are not too fond of using a microwave or harsh chemicals to disinfect your sponge, try the boiling water option. As the water boils at 212°F, it is more than enough to kill germs and viruses in your beloved kitchen sponge. Check the following steps:
- Pour enough water into a pot to cover your sponge.
- Place the pot on your stove with the burner on high until it boils.
- Carefully submerge (you can use kitchen tongs) your kitchen sponge in the boiling water and leave it there for five minutes.
- After the wait, turn off the stove and let everything cool down.
- Take out the sponge and rinse it with clean water. You can remove the sponge with your kitchen tongs as a precaution.
Can you use vinegar to disinfect a sponge?
Although vinegar has a good reputation as a household cleaner and can remove some germs, it doesn’t kill as many bacteria as the previous methods. Also, it is not proven vinegar can reduce the number of bacteria to safe levels. So, we recommend you stick to the methods above.
How often should you disinfect your sponge?
The truth is you shouldn’t disinfect your sponge more than once. While some kitchen sponges can still be home to hundreds of species of bacteria, only the stronger ones can survive multiple disinfections (and still become overrun with bacteria).
If you want to ensure your kitchen sponge is truly bacteria-free, change it every week (ideally) or whenever it starts smelling funky.
Eloise’s Cleaning Service can help you keep your household safe!
Besides your kitchen sponge, your home will, of course, be filled with germs when dirty. Thankfully, our Recurring Cleaning Service (carried out by skilled cleaners) is perfect for keeping your home spotless and safe. Book your cleaning today!
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