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How To Keep Your Sponges Clean
By DEIRDRE MUNDORF
Microwave
Cleaning a dirty sponge in the microwave can get rid of 100% of the dangerous and smelly bacteria growing on it. Soak the sponge in water and put it inside the microwave (set to two minutes on high power), and after that’s done, leave the sponge for a few minutes to let it cool down before using it again.
Dishwasher
Using a dishwasher can also help you keep your kitchen sponge clean and free of harmful bacteria. It’s important to run the sponge through a proper sanitize cycle since the higher water temperatures in the dishwasher will kill the bacteria more readily, and leaving the sponge in the dishwasher throughout is the best way to do that.
Bleach
Bleach is a strong disinfectant and can be used to clean dirty sponges by creating a solution of one gallon of water and ½ cup of regular bleach, according to Clorox. Place the sponges in this mixture and leave them to soak for five minutes, after which you should properly rinse out the sponge and let it dry before use.
Replace them
While it’s a good habit to wash your sponges after every use, simply doing that isn’t enough to keep the bacteria at bay. It’s also a good idea to replace your sponges after approximately 30 uses, or once a month, assuming you use your sponge to clean dishes and other surfaces every day.
Other dos and don'ts
According to Merry Maids, some more tips to keep those sponges clean include wringing them out to remove maximum water and storing them in a raised drying rack. You can also opt for sponges made from microfiber which dry quickly and avoid using your regular sponge to clean surfaces used to cut raw meat to stop the spread of bacteria.