How dirty is a kitchen sponge?

Researchers found 362 different species of bacteria in sponges, and 45 billion bacteria per square centimeter. That means, part of your kitchen sponge could have as much bacteria as the inside of a toilet. Gross. The USDA recommends that you try to clean your sponges daily, but even that is not a perfect solution.

Are kitchen sponges sanitary?

The sponges collected in the study were tested for different types of bacteria. (CNN) Kitchen sponges harbor more bacteria than kitchen brushes, which may be a more hygienic way to clean your dishes, according to researchers in Norway.

Is the kitchen sponge one of the dirtiest items in the house?

A new study published in Scientific Advances by a team of German researchers have revealed that the most bacteria-riddled area in your house is the kitchen sponge.

Are sponges unsanitary?

For an item that's supposed to clean your home, sponges are surprisingly dirty. Sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria, including E. Coli and salmonella since they're typically moist and porous. While you can throw away a dirty sponge, some try to avoid waste by microwaving it to kill bacteria with heat.

Is a sponge dirtier than a toilet?

Kitchen Sponge

Because of all the food, dirt, and grime they soak up on the daily, sponges contain about 10 million bacteria per square inch. Yeah, that's 200,000 times more germ-covered than a toilet seat, according to microbiology professor Chuck Gerba, PhD.

Kitchen Sponge Has More Germs Than a Toilet?!

Why you should not use sponges?

Kitchen sponges hold more bacteria than any other surface in your home. We use sponges every day to clean our dishes and surfaces, but in reality, they spread bacteria. To make matters worse, most conventional sponges are made from plastic and can't be recycled or composted.

How often should you replace your dish sponge?

Throw them out before they smell.

While those are great habits to get into, even a sponge sanitized this often could accumulate bacteria over time, so replace yours every two weeks—or even sooner if they develop an odor or fall apart.

Can you get sick from a sponge?

In a 2017 study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers in Germany found that used kitchen sponges were home to dozens of bacterial microorganisms (the researchers charted just the top 20 bacteria), and out of the top 10 most abundant bacteria, five were closely related to those classified as RG2, ...

Are kitchen sponges toxic?

Not very green, huh? It gets (gasp!) worse. Sponges promising antibacterial or odor-removing benefits are loaded with toxic chemicals including triclosan, an antimicrobial agent (and pesticide) that has been linked to cancer, developmental toxicity and skin irritation.

How do you sterilize a kitchen sponge?

Place the sponge in the top rack and run the machine through a heat-dry cycle to disinfect the sponge. The longest, hottest cycle is most effective, but any heat-dry dishwasher setting will kill the germs in your kitchen sponge.

What is the most dirtiest thing in your house?

How do I keep my kitchen sponge germ free?

Microwave damp sponges for one minute or put them in the dishwasher with a drying cycle. The UDSA found that this kills over 99% of bacteria, yeasts and molds. Many of us keep sponges until they look dirty or smell bad. Some of us even wait until sponges fall apart before throwing them out.

What to use instead of sponges to clean dishes?

Is it better to wash dishes with a sponge or dishcloth?

Your dish rags are really no better than your sponges. And like sponges, using a dirty dish rag to clean a kitchen countertop will only spread germs. Your best bet is to replace rags about once a week. "Allow them to dry out between uses because most bacteria thrive only in moistness," Schachter says.

What is the most sanitary way to wash dishes by hand?

Does boiling a sponge sanitize it?

According to the German study, regularly sanitizing sponges by popping them in the microwave or boiling them in water doesn't make them germ-free, and in fact, two types of bacteria were more prominent on the “sanitized” sponges than on unwashed ones.

Do kitchen sponges have chemicals in them?

If you purchase antibacterial or odor-destroying sponges, it's likely they contain chemicals like “Triclosan,” an antibacterial and antifungal agent that is considered a pesticide. Not only is this chemical linked to health problems, but it is also believed to damage the environment.

Are reusable sponges sanitary?

The reasoning behind the frequent sponge swaps stems from the fact that sponges hold tons of bacteria. They can also house RG2 bacteria, which are associated with food-borne disease in humans, even once they're sanitized using the microwave method.

When should you throw away a sponge?

The CDC recommends changing your sponge every two weeks. In fact, some experts recommend you change your sponge out once a week.

Why should you put a sponge in your fridge?

Place a sponge anywhere in your fridge, but preferably inside one of the drawers. The sponge will begin to soak up any excess moisture caused by fruit, vegetables or any water-filled foods. Because your sponge is soaking up the moisture, your fruits and vegetables will remain dryer, helping them to last longer.

Should you microwave kitchen sponge?

Sterilizes sponges.

Multiple studies have shown that microwaving your sponge for at least 2 minutes on full power can rid 99% of bacteria and living germs, according to WebMD. It can kill illness-causing bacteria like E. Coli. The longer you microwave your sponge, the more bacteria and germs it will kill.

Where should I put my kitchen sponge?

Put your sponge in a basket or drying rack to promote air circulation. The quicker it dries out, the cleaner it will remain.

How do you clean a dirty sponge?

Can you wash a sponge in the washing machine?

Sanitize sponges by heating damp sponges in the microwave for one minute. The USDA reports that this method kills over 99% of bacteria! Simply toss sponges in the HOT cycle of your washing machine or dishwasher and let the machine do the work.

How do you disinfect a sponge in the microwave?

3) Put the wet sponge in the microwave for one minute on high. One minute of microwaving is sufficient to kill bacteria. 4) Be careful when removing the sponge from the microwave, because it will be hot. You may want to set a timer for 10-15 minutes and then take the sponge out of the microwave when it has cooled.