Many homeowners tend to forget the kitchen sponge gets dirty and catches bacteria. Usually, people toss the sponge aside after doing the dishes and just call it a day. That sponge will get all crumpled and smelly in no time!
However, there is more mileage you can get out of a sponge. You’ll be amazed at how such a little square of fiber can give you trouble and how easy it is to take care of it!
Next, you’ll learn how to disinfect a kitchen sponge—and the general dos and don’ts of sponge care.
Don’t leave the sponge in the sink
Perhaps you finished up with a large batch of dishes, and you just want to move on to your next activity. However, you should never toss the sponge in the sink!
Not only you’re neglecting to clean the sponge after its use, but the moisture of the sink won’t help, and more bacteria can grow. You’ll wake up to an even nastier sponge.
Clean your sponge daily
When doing the dishes, the kitchen sponge gathers residue from every plate and cup, so it’s logical to clean this tool at the very end. You can clean your sponge in a water solution with a small hint of bleach for disinfection. Be sure to do this daily.
If you don’t want to use bleach, you can microwave the wet sponge for a minute, then let it cool down for 15 minutes before taking it out. Also, you can put the sponge in your dishwasher at the highest setting.
Don’t use the same sponge with raw meat
If you use a cutting board, you shouldn’t use the same sponge to clean up blood and the rest of your dishes. Some food residue like raw meat, eggs, and poultry can grow dangerous bacteria, with a chance of giving you a nasty infection.
Be sure to dry the sponge before storing it
After disinfecting your kitchen sponge, squeeze all the liquid you can from it, and leave it in a nice, dry spot. If it’s left wet, bacteria will multiply faster than you can imagine, not to mention the unpleasant smell the sponge will develop in time.
Don’t keep the same sponge for too long!
Kitchen sponges are affordable, but that doesn’t mean you should go and buy a new one with each use. However, there will be a moment when it’ll no longer be useful. If your sponge develops a foul smell or is in bad shape, be sure to dispose of it!
It’s better to spend on a new sponge than risk health issues.
Consider a microfiber sponge
Microfiber cleaning tools like cloths and sponges are neat because they don’t leave scratches. It’s not proven to be better at cleaning in the case of kitchen sponges, but the material is easier to dry, and that is always a good thing when you want to make the most of your sponge.
Whenever it’s time to dispose of your old kitchen sponge, replacing it with a microfiber one is a good alternative.
If you follow these tips, your kitchen sponge will last longer. However, there is still cleaning left to be done! If you need a helping hand with your cleaning chores, you can rely on Think Maids.
We offer consistent, quality cleaning services to save you time and get your house or office clean and ready for any occasion. Schedule online in just a few minutes!