How to Clean a Slimy Sponge

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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You're about to do the dishes, and notice that the kitchen sponge is dirty, slimy and stinky. It's nasty to even touch. What's more, the average sponge holds 10,000 bacteria per square inch. Talk about salmonella and E. coli. That's what you have been cleaning your dishes with, the dishes you eat off of? No more. Clean those sponges and clean them often.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Microwave it. Go high tech. According to the Journal of Environmental Health, 99 percent of the germs are killed after zapping the sponge in the microwave for just 2 minutes. Make sure the sponge is wet though or you could start a fire. There is a big drawback to this method. The smell could very likely transfer to your microwave.

Step2

Throw them in the dishwasher. The high heat cycle will get rid of the germs and smell. This method can only be used on high quality sponges as the cheaper brands tend to disintegrate and clog up your machine.

Step3

Boil your sponges in 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. This will get rid of the smell and the bacteria.

Step4

Go low tech. Mix 1 tbs. of vinegar with 1 pint of water. Soak that slimy icky sponge in the solution for a few minutes. Hang it out in the sun which will also get rid of germs. This makes it clean and sweet smelling.

Tips & Warnings

Sponges should be thrown away about once a month.
Go to a paint supply retailer or store and buy real sponges there. These sponges tend to last and don't retain odors.