Content

• Method 2 of 4: Microwave Method (Suitable for Non-Metallic Sponges)
• Method 3 of 4: Dishwasher Method
• Method 4 of 4: Soaking
• Tips
• Warnings

1 Remove food debris from the sponge.

2 Squeeze out the sponge as well as possible and place it where it can dry thoroughly. Remember, bacteria love moisture.

3 Do not sponge the cutting board, especially if you are cutting raw meat on it.

Method 2 of 4: Microwave Method (Suitable for Non-Metallic Sponges)

1. 1 Wet the sponge completely and do not let it dry. Warning: some sponges are made of synthetic material that can melt in the microwave even if the sponge is very wet. Place a paper towel under the sponge, in case it melts, it will be much easier to clean it off.
2. 2 Place the sponge in the microwave for at least one minute. One minute in the microwave reduces bacteria and mold and yeast colonies more significantly than other methods, according to USDA research. Studies have also shown that after two minutes of heating in the microwave, 99% of all living bacteria are killed.
   • It will not be superfluous to put half a cup of water in the microwave with a sponge so that the emitter does not deteriorate.
3. 3 Remove the sponge from the microwave and let it cool before using. Warning: Severe burns can occur if you push the sponge until it cools.

Method 3 of 4: Dishwasher Method

1. 1 Place the sponge in the dish compartment for the wash and dry cycle. Leave it in the machine for a full wash and dry cycle.
2. 2 Remove the sponge when the machine is finished. Now 99.9998% less bacteria will remain on the sponge.

Method 4 of 4: Soaking

1. 1 Some studies show that the soaking method is not as effective as other methods. But, nevertheless, it helps a lot.
2. 2 Do this with rubber gloves to protect your hands.
3. 3 Clean the sponge as thoroughly as possible with tap water and dishwashing detergent. Rinse it well with running water.
4. 4 Prepare a 10% bleach solution in a small bowl. Use hot tap water to maximize the effectiveness of the chlorine (remember from physics that hot water will make the chlorine molecules more active, thereby increasing their effectiveness). A plastic food container is an ideal container for this method.
5. 5 Soak the sponge for 5, maximum 10 minutes. Squeeze the sponge at least a few times while soaking. This will help make sure that the bleach is completely absorbed into the sponge and will also remove organic debris from the sponge (which is exactly what you want to get rid of).
6. 6 Remove and rinse thoroughly in running water.

Tips

• After heating the sponge in the microwave, the steam and moisture generated in the sponge will soften food particles and stains.Once you take out the sponge, you can easily remove stains from the microwave with a paper napkin, kitchen towel, or terry cloth.
• Use kitchen towels to clean the daily dirt on tables, floors, and bar counters. You will save money on paper towels and extend the hygiene life of your kitchen sponges.
• If you need to kill spores (not just bacteria), microwave the sponge for 5 minutes. But be careful to make sure it is wet all the time, otherwise it may catch fire or melt.
• Squeeze a sponge after use and wrap it in a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. A more environmentally friendly and less wasteful way - use a dish towel instead.
• Change the sponge regularly. By purchasing a bacteria resistant sponge, you reduce bacteria in your kitchen by 99.9%.
• Add lemon juice or ammonia-free lemon-scented kitchen cleaner to the chlorine solution to neutralize the bleach smell. Alternatively, you can use aromatic bleach. When finished soaking, rinse with cold water.
• Raw meat juice can be removed with other materials instead of a sponge. Paper towels are a great option, but it is much more economical and environmentally friendly to have a separate towel or terrycloth for this purpose.
• After using the sponge, wring it out thoroughly so that it can dry well before using it again. The bacteria are killed in the dry sponge. You can also alternate between the two sponges to allow them to dry better, and you can also place the wet sponge against the panel behind the sink or dishwasher bottle to ventilate / dry better.

Warnings

• Before washing the sponge in the dishwasher, read the manufacturer's instructions or check the website. Some dishwasher manufacturers and repairmen do not recommend this method of cleaning the sponge, as pieces of it can come off and get stuck in the mechanism.
• When using the method with a microwave, it is absolutely impossible to touch and squeeze the sponge until it cools completely. This can cause severe burns. Take all precautions to avoid scalding yourself.
• You may find a stinking stench in the microwave if you heat a rancid sponge in it.
• Do not heat the sponge in the microwave for more than 5 minutes. It is fire hazardous.
• For the health of our body, bacteria in the environment are essential. First, some bacteria are good for humans. Secondly, our immunity needs regular exercise to stay high. This article is all right, but too much attention to cleanliness can actually reduce your health.
• Do not clean dry or slightly damp sponge in the microwave. The Royal Society of Great Britain for the Prevention of Accidents warns against using a microwave oven to clean dry sponges. Researchers say that you can only put a wet sponge or dish towel in the microwave, because a dry sponge in the microwave can start a fire.