How Do Cleaning Sponges Work?
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What Is a Sponge?
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A sponge is used to hold water that will either be disposed of or used for cleaning. A sponge is elastic in nature and made up of loosely connected, mesh-like fibers. Its design mimics that of the animal for which it is named.
Sponges are aquatic animals whose bodies are lined with tiny pores called ostia. Their pores allow water to flow into their central cavities. Older civilizations harvested and dried sponges for use. Today, because of overharvesting and newer technologies, most sponges are commercially manufactured.
Types of Sponges
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The main types of cleaning sponges are: all-surface, cellulose, cleaning eraser, dry cleaning, metal, natural and nylon.
An all-surface sponge is a combination of a cellulose sponge and an abrasive scrubber. It is highly durable and an ideal sponge for cleaning grills, scrubbing pots and pans, washing dishes and cleaning counters. A cellulose sponge is made from a spun plastic. It holds up well to prolonged use, which makes it good for cleaning tile floors, wiping surfaces and cleaning up spills. A cleaning eraser sponge is a two-sided sponge used to remove and/or erase marks from hard surfaces, such as walls, floors or appliances (for example, a microwave or stovetop). A dry cleaning sponge is made from cellulose foam-latex and is designed for dry use, similar to an eraser. Dry cleaning sponges are used on surfaces that cannot be wet, such as upholstery or drywall. It is often used to remove soot from smoke damage and does not require additional cleaners. A metal sponge is an abrasive type of sponge that is made from steel wool. It is used for tough scouring jobs and should only be used on surfaces, like an oven or grill, which can withstand abrasiveness. A natural sponge comes from the sea. It is not enhanced by manufacturing or chemicals and is a soft and highly absorbent sponge good for bathing, washing the car or washing windows. A nylon sponge is designed for use on surfaces that cannot hold up to abrasiveness but require a little elbow grease for cleaning. This type of sponge works well on Teflon-coated surfaces.
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How It Works
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Sponges are good tools for soaking up and holding water. This is partly because water molecules are attracted to each other and partly because of the sponge's design.
Place a sponge in standing water, like in a bucket or a steady water flow, and the sponge becomes soaked. This happens because of a process called surface tension, the friction that exists between the water and the sponge. Surface tension helps to draw water into the sponge's pores. You may remember from science class that water is highly polar (has a positive and a negative charge like a magnet). When water molecules come in contact with other water molecules, they are drawn to each other and bond tightly, sticking together. As the sponge's pores take in water, the sponge expands, like a balloon taking in air. Surface tension draws the water into the sponge, while water's bonding properties keep the the water in the sponge.
Application
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Choose the right type of sponge for the cleaning job. For a job that requires a wet sponge, such as washing the dishes: wet the sponge, squeeze out any excess water, apply a cleaner (if necessary) and use the sponge. Once the task is complete: wash the sponge, squeezing consistently to expel any cleaning fluid (if used). Continue to squeeze until all excess water has been removed, then allow the sponge to dry completely in an open area.
Clean sponges every 3 to 4 days. To kill bacteria and mold on a sponge, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends either microwave heating a damp sponge or running it through a dishwasher with a heated drying cycle.
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