How to Microwave a Sponge to Kill Germs

Many people don't think to clean their sponges, as their sponges are what they use to clean! However, sponges can be one of the dirtiest items in your kitchen, filled with viruses and bacteria such as E. coli. Learn how to kill germs on your sponge in the microwave.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sponge
• Microwave
• Water

1. Rinse and wring your germy sponge under the faucet to get clean as much dirt or food off of it as possible.

2. Allow water to saturate the sponge and then place in the microwave. Give the sponge one gentle squeeze to remove the majority of the water. Place the sponge on top of 3 or 4 paper towels, inside the microwave.

3. Set the microwave on high power for 2 minutes. Nuking or cooking the sponge for 2 minutes will kill germs - up to 99% of bacteria and viruses will be eliminated.

4. Repeat this process every 2 to 3 days as part of your house cleaning routine to ensure you kill germs and bacteria.

Tips & Warnings

• Disinfect your bathroom sponge in your microwave as well!
• Be very careful when removing the sponge as it will be extremely hot and can burn you. Allow the sponge to sit in the microwave for 5 minutes before handling.

[mommyhen42]

on 7/31/2009 make sure the sponge remains moist and it will not flame up like kenk52 said it would. This was tested by an independant lab assigned this task by the AMA a few years ago and they concur that this really works, but the sponge must be damp! They also suggest that women dampen or thouroughly wet and slightly wring out cotton underwear and do the same thing if they have a problem with recurrent yeast infections. Great work for a well written article!

[kenk52]

on 7/25/2009 NOT SO FAST!!! We placed hot, freshly-microwaved loofah sponge on carpeted stairwell. A minute later: ENGULFED IN FLAMES! Presumably from overheated center resulting in spontaneous combustion. AT LEAST REWET SPONGE. Better still FORGET THE WHOLE THING. A bone dry sponge CAN'T be doing microwave any good at the end of it's cycle.

[cb4me]

on 5/6/2009 I microwave mine all the time :)

[Arathi]

on 5/6/2009 I am going to try this!

[evgnspaces]

on 5/4/2009 I am going to try microwaving my sponge but will put it in a microwave dish.