How to Easily Disinfect Your Kitchen Sponge

Keeping your kitchen clean and free from bacteria is essential for good health, as there is a possibility of cross-contamination due to handling raw foods like chicken, fish, seafood, red meat, and more. In the case of the sponge we use to wash dishes, it is essential for leaving the dishes sparkling clean, but the problem is that, in most cases, it always remains damp, which encourages the proliferation of bacteria—something that is not good for our health. But don’t worry, here we tell you how to disinfect the sponge in no time.You can also read: 8 ways to use vinegar for cleaningBacteria in the Kitchen SpongeAccording to the National Science Foundation of the United States (NSF), the sponges we use to wash dishes and clean other surfaces in the kitchen are the perfect incubators for all kinds of bacteria, so it is necessary to keep them in good condition, disinfect them, or dispose of them when necessary. According to the NSF, scholars from the prestigious Duke University discovered, to our horror, that “the kitchen sponge is a better incubator for diverse communities of bacteria than a petri dish in a laboratory.” This is due not only to “the food waste trapped that makes the cornucopia of microbes so happy and productive, but also the structure of the sponge itself,” making it the perfect home for microbes, but also our worst nightmare.What Do Experts Say?According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), placing sponges in “the microwave or boiling them could reduce the bacterial load; however, on their own, these methods are not adequate to ensure that your sponge will reduce the potential cross-contamination from hands, the kitchen counter, and the kitchen. If you use sponges, buy new ones frequently.”You can also read: 12 ways to use baking soda for cleaning2 Ways to Disinfect Your Kitchen SpongeExperts from the Michigan State University recommend two practical ways to disinfect and clean the sponge thoroughly: in the microwave and with a special mixture. Here’s how!How to Disinfect the Sponge in the MicrowaveThis is a very simple way to eliminate the bacteria from the sponge you use to wash dishes, give it a try! 1. Make sure your sponge has no metal parts, otherwise it cannot be put in the microwave. 2. Wet the sponge very well before putting it in the microwave, as if it’s dry, it could catch fire while in the microwave. 3. Heat the wet sponge in the microwave for one minute, as this time is sufficient to eliminate bacteria. 4. Let the sponge cool before removing it from the microwave to avoid burning yourself.How to Disinfect the Sponge with BleachIf your sponge is almost new but needs a deep clean, follow this method to disinfect it; it’s very easy! 1. Dissolve half a teaspoon of bleach in one liter of warm water. 2. Soak the sponge in the bleach-water mixture for one minute. 3. Remove and squeeze. You can also read: How to clean the blender with vinegar and other ingredientsTips to Keep Your Sponge Clean LongerExperts from the university advise against using a sponge to clean the kitchen counter when it gets dirty with certain foods, such as raw meat; in these cases, it is best to use paper towels and easily dispose of them. Another great tip from the university scientists is to use a mixture of ½ teaspoon of bleach with one liter of water to clean kitchen surfaces, recommending that you spray the mixture, let it dry, and wipe with a clean cloth before placing anything back on top, so you will keep your kitchen free of bacteria! If you’re wondering what to do about kitchen rags, the university experts advise using a clean rag every day, so at the end of the day, wash it very well and let it dry so you can use it the next day. Additionally, they remind us that if the kitchen rag or dish sponge smells bad, you need to wash them, as the bad odor indicates that bacteria are present.