When you wash the dishes, make sure that you have two basic things: a dishwashing detergent and a sponge. You can add rubber gloves to this to protect your hands from dryness.
Although it is extremely important to wash dishes, kitchen utensils and cutlery from grease and dirt, you should always remember that part of this dirt remains on the sponge, no matter how you wash it [sponge].
Change the sponge in a weak. A week ago? Two? Month?
Most likely, you do not do this as often as you would like, as a result of which bacteria accumulate in it, which can become the carrier of any infection such as salmonella, E. coli, and even SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes Covid-19.
The sponge is dirtier than it seems
A study published in 2017 in the journal Scientific Reports said kitchen sponges are dirtier than toilets.
Scientists, including the author of the study, Markus Egert, a professor of microbiology and hygiene at Furtwangler University in Germany, have discovered 362 species of bacteria hiding in an ordinary sponge, and there were about 5.5 trillion of these bacteria.
Egert explains that bacteria, fungi, algae, and viruses hide in the crevices of kitchen sponges. But the bacteria are the most.
Ideal habitat and breeding
Sponges are usually moist, stored in a warm place, have a sufficiently large surface and can contain many nutrients for microbes - food leftovers, for example.
Bacteria do not just survive - they thrive in this environment and can spread to your work surface and dishes that you think have been washed well.
According to Phillip Delekta, a professor of microbiology at the University of Michigan at East Lansing, viruses like SARS-CoV-2 will not multiply or remain in the sponge indefinitely, but they can survive and spread during harvesting .
How often do I need to change a kitchen sponge?
Every two weeks.
According to experts, in view of the trillions of microbes inside the sponge, probably none of the methods of home disinfection will destroy them all, and after a few days or even hours, the sponge will again be infested with microbes.
If the sponge has a smell, it has become a little oily or increased in size - get rid of it.
How to effectively clean a kitchen sponge while you use it
Method 1
Place the sponge in the washing machine at 60 ° C and use a strong detergent. High temperature, strong chemistry and time will perfectly clean the sponge.
Method 2
Lubricate the sponge with dishwashing liquid and rinse with running water. Then the wet sponge can be placed in the microwave for two minutes to kill the bacteria.
Caution: a dry sponge in the microwave may cause a fire.
Where is it better to store a kitchen sponge?
Keep the sponge on a shelf away from the tap so that it can dry. The more it dries, the less likely it is to develop bacteria and other microbes in it.
It is also wise to use separate sponges for individual items. You should have a separate dish sponge, separate for the bath, and separate for the table.
Important: DO NOT use a sponge to wipe the blood from the meat from the countertop, as this will lead to the rapid growth of bacteria. It is better to use paper towels and disinfectants for this.
Safer Kitchen Sponge Alternatives
Silicone sponges and cleaning brushes are less porous, and the material does not support a sufficiently moist environment for bacterial growth.
Specialists also recommend microfiber cloths, which should be washed in a washing machine at high temperature after each use.
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