17.07.2019

Kitchen sponges contain a huge number of microorganisms that can harm your health. How do you disinfect them? Discover multiple options!

Do you know why it is so important to clean your kitchen cabinets regularly? sponges? Yes, because they are real. breeding ground for bacteria and harmful microorganisms(despite the fact that they themselves are intended to clean up).

It is believed that this is one of the most contaminated items that we deal with in everyday life. For what reason is this happening? The fact is that moisture and food residues create simply an ideal breeding ground for pathogenic organisms.

That's why it's so important to learn daily, and preferably after each use, clean the kitchen sponges (disinfect them). And if you still do not know how to do it correctly, then our today's article is for you! We share 5 interesting solutions to this problem.

Why do you need to disinfect kitchen sponges?

So, we use sponges for washing dishes, cutlery and various surfaces. Them material and structure ideal for easy separation of fat and adhering food debris. So why can they pose a danger to our health?

The answer is very simple: moisture and "porosity" make sponges an ideal home for bacteria, such as coli, salmonella, or campylobacter. In such an environment, it is easier for them to breed, and they can live up to two weeks.

While washing dishes these bacteria remain on its surface, which increases the risk of infection. Therefore, sponges for washing dishes need, firstly, to be changed more often, and secondly, to be disinfected regularly so that they are as clean as possible (as far as possible).

How to Disinfect Dishwashing Sponges: Practical Solutions

Although kitchen sponge disinfection methods are very effective, sponges should be changed at least twice a month. And even if it seems to you that they look quite clean, there will still be food debris and bacteria inside. Now let's see how you can clean dishwashing sponges.

This product makes the environment acidic, which helps to eliminate many bacteria and harmful microorganisms.

It is one of the best natural products for disinfecting kitchen sponges. Due to the concentration of organic acids, it changes the environment necessary for the reproduction of microorganisms. In addition, vinegar removes unpleasant odors and traces of grease.

How to apply it?

• First, boil a glass of water.
• Then mix with the same amount of white vinegar.
• Dip a sponge into the resulting mixture and leave for 20 minutes.
• After the specified time, wring it out to remove any remaining dirt.
• Finally, if you see fit, you can also rinse with water (using soap).

2. Liquid soap

The properties of liquid soap or dishwashing liquid can be very useful for cleaning sponges. However, for deeper cleansing it is recommended to use additional boiling water(not just hot water).

What do we have to do?

• Add one tablespoon of liquid soap or dishwashing liquid to a bowl of boiling water.
• Dip a kitchen sponge into it.
• Wait 20 minutes, then rinse and wring out the sponge.

3. Microwave

The temperature reached in the microwave oven also makes it possible to effectively disinfect dishwashing sponges.

is a good ally, especially when it comes to the destruction of pathogens. High temperatures change the characteristic wet environment which blocks the growth and reproduction of bacteria.

What do we have to do?

• Be aware that some dish sponges are made from synthetic materials that can melt when exposed to high temperatures in the microwave. Therefore, it is best to place them in a deep container filled with water and vinegar.
• Place this sponge container in the microwave and turn it on for 2 minutes.
• If your sponge has an unpleasant or musty smell, then this method will eliminate it.
• Just take out the container very carefully so as not to burn yourself.

4. Kitchen sponges and lemon juice

This is certainly not the most powerful disinfectant, but still a good alternative for cleaning kitchen sponges. Especially if there was neither vinegar nor a special cleaning agent at hand. has antibacterial properties, and therefore it is often used to clean and disinfect various surfaces.

What do we have to do?

• Squeeze the juice from several lemons and add it to a container of hot water.
• Soak the sponge in it for 20 minutes.
• Then rinse with cold water (and soap).

5. Tea tree essential oil

Due to its antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil can fight bacteria effectively.

The final solution we offer for sanitizing kitchen sponges is tea tree oil. This ingredient, known for its therapeutic properties, destroys bacteria and harmful microorganisms. In addition, its application helps to minimize the smell of moisture and mold.

What do we have to do?

• First, add 15-20 drops of oil to a cup of boiling water.
• Place a dirty dishwashing sponge in it and let it sit for 20 minutes.
• Then rinse the sponge and wring it out thoroughly to remove any remaining dirt. If it seems to you that the sponge is not clean enough, you can additionally wash it with liquid soap.

How often do you disinfect dishwashing sponges? Now that you know how important this is, be sure to try one of the remedies above.

Bibliography

• Cardinale, M., Kaiser, D., Lueders, T., Schnell, S., & Egert, M. (2017). Microbiome analysis and confocal microscopy of used kitchen sponges reveal massive colonization by Acinetobacter, Moraxella and Chryseobacterium species. scientific reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06055-9
• Erdogrul, Ö., & Erbilir, F. (2000). Microorganisms in Kitchen Sponges. Internet Journal of Food Safety.
• Wolde, T., & Bacha, K. (2016). Microbiological Safety of Kitchen Sponges Used in Food Establishments. International Journal of Food Science. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1659784
• Rossi, E. M., Scapin, D., Grando, W. F., & Tondo, E. C. (2012). Microbiological Contamination and Disinfection Procedures of Kitchen Sponges used in Food Services. Food and Nutrition Sciences. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2012.37129
• Speirs, J. P., Anderton, A., & Anderson, J. G. (1995). A study of the microbial content of the domestic kitchen. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603129509356839

Some housewives remember that it is time to update the dishwashing sponge when they once again hear that it is she who is the main source of microbes and the dirtiest place in the apartment. Other women, on the contrary, use exclusively disposable napkins and boil the rest of the kitchen utensils daily. They transfer liters of chlorine-containing products, spending the family budget and their own time in the name of hygiene. The truth lies in the middle: how much to use and how to extend the life of kitchen helpers, experts from the Paclan brand, one of the leading European household goods brands, will tell.

Sponge for washing dishes

This integral part of every kitchen needs to be changed more often than all other accessories, every five to seven days. You can increase the safe use of foam rubber sponges to two weeks using the following methods:

1) process in a microwave oven for 1-2 minutes (pre-moisten with water);

2) soak overnight in a glass of table vinegar;

3) Wash in the dishwasher on a high temperature cycle (in the cutlery or glass tray).

These manipulations should be carried out three to four times a week. Before using method No. 3, you should first make sure that the abrasive fiber on the product does not crumble. Small particles can clog the filter and disable expensive equipment. Therefore, if a feeling of sand remains on the fingers from contact with the sponge, it is better not to risk it and use method No. 1 or No. 2.

Sponges should be stored thoroughly wrung out in a dry place. It is not necessary, following the example of some housewives, to leave them soaked in soapy water. After all, according to Yevgeny Kulikov, a senior researcher at the Institute of Microbiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, pathogenic microorganisms readily settle in this environment.

Tablecloths

Items made from materials such as cotton, rayon, bamboo, and microfiber are easiest to wash daily with kitchen towels. If desired, once a week, tablecloths can be dipped in boiling water or a solution of chloramine. If, following the example of a sponge, they are regularly placed for preventive treatment in a microwave oven, then they will have to be washed a little less often.

To increase the durability of cleaning wipes, manufacturers are developing high-tech solutions. For example, in the line Paclan Practice Universal viscose and polyester fibers are structured in a special way into a non-woven material, which allows the fabric to retain its qualities for a long time, withstanding a large number of washes.

Tablecloths should dry well between uses. Keep them hanging. An unpleasant odor that does not disappear completely after disinfection will serve as a signal for an extraordinary replacement of the product with a new one.

Floor cloths

Despite the lack of contact with food or the surface of the table, they should also be disinfected regularly. A bucket and chlorine-containing bleach or a glass of vinegar for 5-8 liters of water are best suited for these purposes. During all manipulations with aggressive substances, do not forget to protect your hands: wear strong gloves.

If there are small children in the house, then daily disinfection of both floor cloths and all kitchen utensils will be required. It is better to have a separate sponge for washing children's dishes, preferably made of cellulose, as well as an individual napkin, which will wipe the feeding table.

Nobody likes the idea of ​​washing dishes, much less dirty sponges. But we've all heard of ways you can extend the life of your sponge while keeping it disinfected. What is the best way?

The US Household Institute, together with the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory, found a solution to this problem. The study showed that three types of pathogenic organisms can spread in sponges in one week of use: E. coli, Salmonella and Pseudomonas.

Professionals have tested six sponge cleaning methods, which are the most common:

• using a dishwasher;
• using a microwave;
• using a washing machine;
• using bleaching liquid;
• with the help of ammonia;
• with vinegar.

best germ killer

Bleach kills 99.9% of the three strains of bacteria listed above found on the surface of all sponges tested (hard brushes and cellulose sponges). As a standard, the researchers took the requirements of the US Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory for surface sanitization.

Mix three-quarters of a glass of bleach with 4 liters of water, leave the sponge soaked in the resulting liquid for 5 minutes.

Second place

The microwave and dishwasher "breathe down the back" of the bleach. 99.9% of the bacteria on the surface of hard scrub sponges used in the kitchen are killed using these methods. However, cellulose sponges placed in the microwave showed a rate of 99.83% removal of E. coli from the surface. And the sponges that were tested with the dishwasher method showed a result of 99.88% removal of Salmonella and 99.86% removal of E. coli.

How to apply this method in practice?

Place the sponge in the dishwasher using the "dry heat" setting. As for the microwave, pre-saturate the sponge (with a solution of 1/4 cup water for hard sponges and 1/2 cup water for cellulose sponges), then heat the sponge for a minute or two while keeping an eye on the microwave.

Lagging behind

A five-minute soak of a sponge in vinegar removes 99.6% of bacteria, and in ammonia - 97% of bacteria. The washing machine proved to be even less efficient with its ability to clean only 93% of the sponge surface.

When is it time to change the sponge in the kitchen?

It doesn't matter if you're diligent about cleaning, kitchen sponges can't last forever. Clean your sponges weekly and change them every 2-8 weeks depending on the condition and frequency of use.

The dirtiest place in your house or apartment is the dishwashing sponge. Surprised? A dishwashing sponge can be even dirtier than a toilet seat. The moist and warm environment in the sponge is a breeding ground for bacteria and microbes. Your kitchen sponge may, and likely does, contain dangerous bacteria such as salmonella, staphylococcus, E. coli, and others.

All these unpleasant things spread easily in wet holes and crevices, which constantly contain the smallest particles of food and moisture necessary for reproduction. Sponge for washing dishes, even clean in appearance, contains thousands of bacteria. Washing sponges with water and soap will not bring the desired result. Therefore, you need to know some rules for cleaning and caring for kitchen sponges.

The sponge for washing dishes must be regularly rinsed and cleaned of food debris and dirt. This must be done after each use of the sponge. Rinse the sponge well in running warm water, wring it out and leave it in a dry place. Keep in mind that this dry place should ensure good drying of the sponge. Remember, bacteria love moisture.

Do not sponge down a cutting board that has been cut with raw meat!

Dishwashing sponges should be changed every two weeks. In our online store you can buy wholesale sponges for washing dishes, various configurations, shapes, sizes and types.

Wipes or sponges: which is safer?

Each person has their own views on the choice of materials for cleaning. Some prefer sponges for washing dishes, while others always wipe kitchen surfaces with textile napkins.

In terms of cleanliness, there isn't much difference between a sponge and a rag - both can become breeding grounds for germs if not cleaned regularly. According to a 2012 study by the National Science Foundation of America, 86% of cleaning cloths and sponges tested had mold and 77% contained bacteria.

Every 3-4 days, the dishwashing sponge must be disinfected. There are three ways to clean a sponge:

• Sponge disinfection in bleach.
• Washing the sponge in the dishwasher.
• Sponge disinfection in the microwave.

Each of the methods has its own level of efficiency, as well as its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's talk about each of them.

Method one. Sponge disinfection in bleach.

This method is considered less effective than washing the sponge in the dishwasher and disinfecting in the microwave, but nevertheless it also works well.

Disinfection should be carried out with rubber gloves to protect the skin of your hands.

Prepare a 10% solution of regular bleach in a regular or plastic bowl. For the solution, use warm water, then the solution will be more effective. You can also use scented bleach for the solution to eliminate the unpleasant smell of bleach from the sponge after the soaking procedure.

Before soaking the sponge, it must be washed well with detergent under running water. After that, put the sponge into the bowl with the solution. Soaking time - 5-10 minutes, no more. During soaking, you can squeeze the sponge several times so that the solution soaks the sponge well.

After that, remove the sponge for washing dishes and rinse thoroughly in running water. Another way to get rid of the unpleasant smell of bleach on a sponge is a few drops of vinegar.

Method two. Washing the sponge in the dishwasher.

Note. Before using this method, read the instructions for your dishwasher. It is possible that washing a kitchen sponge in it will be undesirable. As a rule, dishwashing sponges contain a layer of abrasive fibers on one of the faces. When washing the sponge in the dishwasher, the abrasive fibers can flake off as tiny fibers and clog the strainer in the waste collection machine.

Place the sponge in the dish drawer for the wash and dry cycle. Leave it in the machine for a complete wash and dry cycle.

Remove the sponge when the machine is finished. Now there will be 99.9998% less bacteria on the sponge.

Method three. Sponge disinfection in the microwave.

This method is considered the most effective, but also the most dangerous.

According to USDA research, one minute in the microwave reduces bacteria and mold and yeast colonies more significantly than other methods. Studies have also shown that after two minutes of heating in the microwave, 99% of all live bacteria die.

Attention! Leaving the sponge in the microwave for more than two minutes may ignite, resulting in a fire. During this procedure, do not move away from the microwave oven.

Do not place a sponge containing metal parts in the microwave. Check if there are wire particles left in the foam rubber from a metal sponge or a dish scraper.

Moisten the sponge with plenty of water and do not let it dry. 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, and so that the sponge itself does not dry out.

Attention! Some sponges are made from a synthetic material that can melt in the microwave even if the sponge is very wet. Place a paper towel under the sponge - if it starts to melt, it will make cleaning much easier. Place a sponge with a napkin on a saucer that does not heat up in the microwave. After the disinfection procedure, it will be more convenient to remove the sponge. Do not take the sponge with your bare hand, as you can accidentally squeeze it and get burned.

• So, put a sponge on a napkin, a sponge and a napkin on a saucer, and all this - in the microwave.
• Turn on the oven for 1-2 minutes.
• Carefully remove the sponge from the microwave.

Everything. The sponge is disinfected, 99% of harmful bacteria are destroyed and the sponge is ready for use again.

General position. It is believed that the absolute cleanliness of your house or apartment is as harmful as if your home were dirty. Too good, too bad. Do not strive for absolute purity, do not be too zealous to clean everything around, every minute. A small amount of microbes on surfaces and dust in the air help maintain your immunity, reduce allergic reactions, keep your body in good shape, in a combat state of protection.

• After heating the sponge in the microwave, the steam and moisture generated in it will soften food particles and stains. After you take out the sponge, you can easily remove stains from the microwave with a paper towel, kitchen towel, or terry cloth.
• Use kitchen towels to clean daily dirt on tables, floors, bar counters. You will save money on paper towels and extend the hygienic life of your kitchen sponges.
• Change your sponge regularly. By purchasing a bacteria-resistant sponge, you reduce the amount of bacteria in your kitchen by 99.9%.
  Add lemon juice or an ammonia-free, lemon-scented kitchen cleaner to the bleach 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 than a sponge. Paper towels are great, but it's much more economical and environmentally friendly to have a separate towel or washcloth for this purpose.
• After using the sponge, wring it out thoroughly so that it can dry well before the next use. Bacteria die in a dry sponge. You can also alternate between two sponges to allow them to dry better, and lean a wet sponge against the panel behind the sink or dishwasher bottle to ventilate and dry.
• If you don't use napkins and cleaning cloths all the time, store them in a plastic container with a lid to avoid unpleasant odors in the kitchen.
• Dish brushes are generally considered the most hygienic option, as they are easier to clean and dry faster. But they should also be disinfected by soaking in a mild bleach solution. When using bleach, be sure to read label directions carefully and wear rubber gloves.
• If you use microfiber cloths, rinse well after each use.
• The main thing to remember is that all sponges and cleaning cloths should be thoroughly squeezed and dried, completely straightened. Do not give germs a single opportunity to hide in wet folds!

Sponges are supposed to keep the kitchen and bathroom clean, but unfortunately they are quite capable of spreading harmful germs. Sponges pick up bacteria from food, hands, or surfaces they clean. And since they often don't dry out between uses, this moist, warm environment is the perfect place for bacteria to thrive. Today we will tell you how to clean a dishwashing sponge.

Of course, dishwashing sponges don't have to last forever, they should be replaced every couple of weeks. But we can very well extend their life in a couple of ways.

Soak in bleach.

Bleach is a powerful disinfectant that is great for killing bacteria on sponges. Just remember to dilute it with water before use. To prepare a disinfectant solution, mix 1 to 3 tablespoons of bleach with 1 liter of water. You can store this solution in a bottle and use it to clean sponges periodically.

Soak the sponge in the solution for five minutes, then rinse under running water and dry.

Soaking in vinegar.

If you don't want to soak your sponges in bleach, try using vinegar essence. It is equally effective at killing bacteria. You can leave the sponge to soak in the vinegar essence overnight, then rinse and dry it in the morning.

If you are using a dishwasher, throw your sponges into the wash cycle. Dishwasher detergent kills up to 99.9% of all germs.

Microwave.

Dampen the sponge with water and put it in the microwave for 1 minute. But this method is not suitable for the most tenacious bacteria. And don't microwave sponges with metal or wood parts.

Washing machine.

You can clean your sponge while washing in the washing machine. Washing at high temperatures or with the addition of bleach is perfect.

If you clean dishwashing sponges in one of these ways, you can use them for a longer time.