How to Clean a Kitchen Sponge
Kitchen sponges can acquire a variety of germs and mold. Many of these don't die easily with simple soap and water cleaning. Washing your kitchen sponge in soapy water may make it look clean, but harmful pathogens, many of which could cause serious illness, remain and thrive in the sponge. There are easy cleaning methods, however, that kill most of these harmful pathogens. Proper cleaning will make your sponge last longer, plus your whole kitchen will be safer and more sanitary. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Sponge
- Dishwashing liquid
- Microwave
- Tongs
- Trivet or heat-safe plate
Instructions
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1
Brush off crumbs and hard debris from the sponge using your fingers or another sponge. If the sponge is exceptionally dirty or has grease on it, pour dishwashing liquid on it and rinse it under hot water until it appears clean.
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2
Soak the sponge in clean water. Place the wet sponge in a microwave-safe bowl or on a microwave-safe plate.
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3
Put the sponge in the microwave. Cook the sponge for one to two minutes (high watt microwaves of at least 1000 will make the sponge super-heated much faster than lower watt microwaves). Watch the sponge as it is heated to make sure it does not dry out suddenly and catch fire.
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4
Shut the microwave off after one to two minutes, but let the sponge remain in the microwave for another two minutes.
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5
Use tongs to remove the sponge from the bowl or plate. Place the sponge on a clean trivet or plate to cool.
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Tips & Warnings
If your microwave does not have a turning mechanism, stop the cooking cycle halfway through to turn the sponge--this will ensure it heats more evenly. If you do not own a microwave, the next best thing is to use a dishwasher, putting the sponge through an entire cycle. If you own neither, use one part household bleach to 10 parts water, and let the sponge soak in this for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Keep an eye on the sponge. Do not leave the sponge unattended in the microwave for even a moment. Greasy sponges may more easily catch fire--make sure the sponge has been cleaned of this before cooking it. Do not place sponges that are used for household cleaning (and, therefore, may be contaminated with solvent cleaning products) in the microwave.
