2 Practical And Quick Ways To Disinfect A Sponge

No one likes to do the dishes with a dirty sponge. The mere thought of spreading germs across plates (and meals) sends shivers down homeowners’ spines. So, it’s only normal to want to clean kitchen sponges every now and then.

If you haven’t cleaned your kitchen sponge because you think killing bacteria is hard, think again! There are a couple of easy methods to leave your kitchen sponge germ-free. Scroll down to learn about them!

How to eliminate bacteria from your kitchen sponge

You won’t need to go through a long and complex process to achieve a clean kitchen sponge. Besides the easy cleaning techniques, you can find the necessary products and equipment without stepping out of your cozy home. Here’s how to achieve it in two methods:

Method #1. Use bleach to kill bacteria

Bleach is one of the most effective ways to eliminate bacteria from your kitchen sponge, as it removes 99.99% of the harmful critters inside it. To carry on this method, you’ll only need a bowl big enough to fit your kitchen sponge, water, and bleach.

Pour one gallon of water and ¾ cup of bleach into the bowl, and then let your kitchen sponge soak for about five minutes. After the time is up, take the sponge out of the bowl and wring it to the driest possible. That’s it! You can now enjoy your newly disinfected sponge!

Method #2. Microwave the bacteria

If you want to avoid bleach’s strong odors and fumes, microwaving your kitchen sponge is the next best option you can try.

You’ll only need to put your sponge in a microwave-safe bowl and soak it in water. When ready, place the bowl (with the sponge in it) inside your microwave, and let it run on high for one and a half minutes.

Once you finish, you can say goodbye to 99.9% of the bacteria!

How to prevent bacteria in your kitchen sponges

It is part of a kitchen sponge’s natural cycle to grow bacteria at one moment or another. However, there are a few things you can put into practice if you want to avoid spreading those gross germs.

• Replace your sponge often. The best you can do to keep your kitchen safe is to replace your sponge weekly at a minimum. Another good indicator you need to change your sponge is the smell—it might be too late to save it if it stinks! 
• Don’t cross-contaminate. If you use separate sponges for washing meat-related dishes, the chances of spreading germs and bacteria will be way lower. Also, don’t store your different sponges together, or all your efforts will be in vain.
• Let your sponge dry. A moist sponge is a perfect place for bacteria to grow. Wringing and keeping your sponge away from liquids is a great way to slow down bacteria growth.

Keep the rest of your house germ-free!

A bacteria-free sponge is only a small part of keeping a safe kitchen for your family. When it comes to housework, Custom Cleaning of the Palm Beaches has a wide variety of packages tailored to fit and solve all your cleaning needs. You’ll get experienced cleaners using quality products every time!

Get a free quote here!