How Bad Are Sponges to Use for Cleaning the House?
Maintaining a clean home is important for keeping your family healthy, but sometimes cleaning it may be doing more damage than you think, especially if you clean with sponges. Because sponges are porous and moist, they are a hotspot for bacterial growth. By cleaning your home with a sponge, you are only spreading that bacteria from surface to surface. However, there are ways to safely clean your home with a sponge. Does this Spark an idea?
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Sponge Sterilization
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To safely clean your home with a sponge, you'll need to disinfect it frequently, especially if you use it a few times before tossing it. There are several effective methods of cleaning a sponge. Dampen your sponge and place it in your microwave for two minutes. This method of sterilization kills almost 100 percent of the bacteria lurking in your sponges. Also, throwing your sponge in the dishwasher for a wash and dry cycle kills most of the bacteria. An alternative method of cleaning your sponge is to soak it in 10 percent chlorine bleach for three minutes, although this is not as effective as the previous two methods.
Sponge Replacement
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When your sponge starts to stink, it's time to toss and replace it. However, don't wait for your cleaning sponge to smell before replacing it with a fresh sponge. After a week of use, depending on what you clean and how often you clean it, replace your sponge unless you sterilize it after each use. This way, you won't be spreading bacteria around each time you clean with it.
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Pick and Choose
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Indicate certain sponges for certain cleaning jobs. For example, only use one sponge to clean your bathroom, instead of using the same sponge to clean both your bathroom and your kitchen. Keep your dried sponges in labeled plastic bags so you don't mix them up.
Proper Sponge Care
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Don't use your sponge when washing dishes if there's still food on the dish. Remove all of the food off of the plate first with hot water. If you don't, the food bits may get stuck in the sponge and, although it may seem clean, remain hidden inside the pores. Each time you use your sponge, rinse it thoroughly with hot water and antibacterial soap. Completely wring out your sponge and allow it to dry completely before storing it.
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References
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