Whether I’m cleaning the counter or cleaning the dishes, I reach for a versatile kitchen sponge to get the job done. I’ve often wondered, though, how often I should replace my sponge. After some research and talking to a food safety expert, I now know I need to do this more often.
According to one, the kitchen sponge is the germiest place in the house. A 2011 study When researchers from the National Sanitation Foundation asked people in 22 households to sweep 30 different surfaces in their homes, they found that 77 percent of dish sponges or rags contained coliform, a family of bacteria that Salmonella And E. coli. In comparison, only five percent of toilet seats contained coliform.
“The biggest misconception identified by the study was that the bathroom is the dirtiest place in the house, when in fact, the kitchen has the most germs,” the researchers wrote.
How to Clean Your Kitchen Sponge
There is a middle ground between using a dirty sponge and throwing it away: you can extend the life of your kitchen sponge. Clean it regularly.
Soak a sponge in a solution of one quart of water and three tablespoons of chlorine bleach for five minutes, suggests American Cleaning Institute spokeswoman Jessica Eck. Then, let the sponge air dry.
Zahra Muhammad, Ph.D., a food microbiology and safety expert with the University of Houston and the American Society for Microbiology, prefers using a microwave. She zips it up high for a minute.
Muhammad microwaves his kitchen sponge twice a day. recommends cleaning the kitchen sponge at least once a week.
How often should you replace your kitchen sponge?
Even if you’re religious about cleaning your sponge, you still need to change it often.
gave USDA says that microwaving or boiling kitchen sponges can “reduce some of the bacteria,” but not enough to prevent cross-contamination from your hands, counters, or food. If you use a sponge, buy new ones often, the agency advises.
Muhammad changes his kitchen sponge every week. If it’s dirty, she sometimes changes it quickly. A kitchen sponge should be replaced at least every two to three weeks, “depending on how often and roughly you use it,” says one.
Why are kitchen sponges so dirty?
Kitchen sponges are porous and moist, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
“A sponge has a physical structure that consists of an array of large and small pores, and this gives the sponge its ability to hold water,” says Muhammad. “This means the sponges are always moist, and the water won’t come out unless someone squeezes it or forces it to dry over time. Also, food residue easily gets into the sponge. are
That wet, food-filled sponge becomes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Billions of bacteria can grow in sponges, but not all of them are dangerous, says Muhammad.
Harmful bacteria—or pathogens—eg Salmonella, E. coliand Listeria Can grow quickly and spread from sponges to hands, kitchen surfaces and other equipment. Depending on the level and type of bacteria, they can live for days and make people sick.
Sponge alternatives to consider
If the germ factor has put you off sponges, there are other cleaner options. Swedish Dishcloth Which act like washable, sturdy paper towels. They dry out quickly so bacteria doesn’t build up as much.
Kitchen brushes can also be a neat way to clean your dishes. Several recent studies have found that bacteria grow and thrive better on sponges than on kitchen brushes. Brushes dry quickly. Compared to sponges and may have a less friendly environment for bacteria.
“Many brushes are also dishwasher safe and last longer than sponges when cared for properly,” says Ek, who recommends using paper towels to clean up spills.