Dirty sponge, don’t throw it away: if you do, it will be as good as new
When using a sponge for dishes, you should avoid starting a contamination process in the kitchen, a place where food is prepared and consumed.
Generally, most people who dedicate themselves to cleaning their dish sponge believe that they have accomplished this task after washing it with water and detergent.
However, neither water nor soap can kill bacteria, which in this case are only temporarily eliminated.
Dish sponge: beware of bad smells
According to some scientific studies, where analyses were carried out in the laboratory, it was discovered that in different parts of the sponges used for cleaning in the kitchen, the same microbes present in feces are present both inside and on the surface.
In particular, you may notice a bad smell emanating from the sponges, which is a warning sign of the possible presence of harmful microorganisms (in the most serious cases we are talking about Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella).
These are pathogens that could cause infections, especially in weakened or immunosuppressed people .
However, these bacterial loads can be neutralized through proper hygiene, as well as through a good immune response from the body.
Although it may seem paradoxical, the very utensils used for hygiene and cleaning work surfaces, as well as dishes, can cause health problems.
Sponges can become an ideal breeding ground for germs and bacteria , due to the moisture and food residue present on them.
Dish sponge: how to clean and disinfect it
There are many of them at least every week , since washing them is not enough, for others it would be enough to do it monthly, but it is necessary to wash them periodically but in the correct way.
Sponges need to be properly sanitized, but they should be replaced if they are worn or damaged. Most people don’t know how to properly clean a kitchen sponge; in fact, you need to clean it with water, soap, and a disinfectant.
First, remove any food residue. After rinsing it thoroughly, prepare it in a solution made from salt, hot water and baking soda and leave it to soak for at least 20 minutes.
If you want to remove odors from kitchen sponges, a more effective way is to soak them after washing in a mixture made from cold water (hot water tends to set odors and stains), salt and vinegar .
If there are traces of mold, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil (about ten), or hydrogen peroxide and hot water. Once rinsed, drain and air dry.
You could also use bleach, but apart from the strong smell, this product is toxic and also polluting, so it is not at all “ecological”.
Washing in the dishwasher allows them to be sanitized , for which they must be placed in the dishes department.
To avoid the risk of cross contamination, it is advisable to have separate sponges, depending on their use, differentiating them, for example, by colour.
A good way to keep them in good condition is not to leave them in the sink, but to let them air dry, even better under the sun’s rays.