There are many potentially harmful germs and bacteria lurking around every corner, and on each surface in the average kitchen, so it’s really important not only to wash your hands frequently (and before you touch any food items), but to sanitize surfaces and sponges regularly.
Here are a few tips for helping to keep bacteria out of your kitchen sponge:
Sponge and dishtowel cleaning
Do’s:
Microwave damp sponges – just one minute in a microwave is all it takes to banish bugs and bacteria from your sponge, or a simple drying cycle in your dishwasher will also help to kill germs, yeasts and molds.
Replace often – if you don’t sanitize your sponge regularly, simply change it, since it doesn’t take long for bacteria to build up on them; typically, just a matter of days.
Get rid of smelly sponges – a bad, feisty smell is a sure sign that your sponge isn’t clean enough; either zap it in the microwave, pop it in the dishwasher on a dry cycle or replace it.
Keep your sponge dry – thoroughly wring out your dishcloth or sponge after use, to avoid it from being too damp in between uses, as this can encourage bacteria to grow. Always leave your sponge out to dry off, don’t leave it in an enclosed space such as in a cupboard or bucket.
Don’ts:
Don’t wipe up meat juices with your sponge – this is one of the quickest ways to increase the chances of harmful, foodborne pathogens spreading on your sponge, so instead, use paper towels or disinfectant to absorb these spillages.
Use your sponge on counter tops –unless your sponge has been hygienically cleaned using the above-mentioned methods, or is fresh out of its wrapper, don’t use it to wipe the surfaces in your kitchen; you’ll simply spread germs all over the place.
What’s the best method for cleaning a sponge?
Soaking your kitchen sponge for five minutes, in a gallon of water that has had ¾ of a cup of bleach added to it, is a simple and surefire way to destroy bacteria and leave your sponge hygienically clean. Bleach has long been lauded for its bacteria busting properties, and even the experts agree that bleach is the most effective way to keep a sponge clean. If you don’t like the smell of bleach, however, you can also soak your sponge in vinegar for the same amount of time, and you’ll kill 99.6% of germs and bacteria.
While the above methods are certainly effective, no kitchen sponge will last forever, so simply replace it when it becomes too dirty. Alternatively, ditch the sponge altogether and hire a professional cleaner; they’ll bring their own cleaning tools and supplies, eliminating the need for you to have any of your own!
