How to clean the sponges,let me tell you

Sponges are not great cleaning productivity tools in the kitchen, but their pores can hold both tiny germs, mold and bacteria that can easily spread. Fortunately, you can choose to keep your sponges germ-free by destroying bacteria in the microwave, putting them in the dishwasher, or soaking them in bleach. Make sure you check to replace your sponges regularly and allow them to have dryness between effective use environments.

Method 1: Microwave sponges

Soak the sponge in water and place it in a microwave-safe bowl.white eraser sponge Rinse the sponge with tap water for 30 seconds to fully saturate it. Do not squeeze or wring the sponge as you want to keep as much of it as possible. Place the wet sponge in a glass, plastic or ceramic bowl so that it is safe to use in the microwave.

If you don't have a microwave-safe bowl, you can place the sponge on a paper towel to catch any water that comes out of the sponge in the microwave. Never use microwave sponges with metal or plastic scrubbers as these can cause a fire or shock hazard in the microwave. It is best to clean these sponges in the dishwasher or by soaking them in a bleach solution.

Place the sponge and 1.5 cups (120 mL) of water in the microwave. Place bowls and cups containing sponges in the microwave as close together as possible. If your microwave has a turntable, make sure both are near the center. A cup of water will ensure that the sponge stays moist in the microwave. If it becomes too dry, the sponge will melt or catch fire.

Microwave the sponge for 1-2 minutes. First of all, microwaving for one minute can kill up to 99% of the bacteria in the sponge. If the sponge smells bad when the microwave is turned on, be sure to reheat it. Make sure it's still wet; if not, re-soak the sponge. Then, microwave it for 30-60 seconds.

Some sponges can naturally give off unpleasant odors when they are hot. If a sponge smells like plastic, there's no need to start heating it again.

Cool the sponge in the microwave for 10-15 minutes. Open the microwave door and let the sponge sit for at least 10 minutes before trying to pick it up or remove it from the bowl. Then, squeeze the excess water out of the sponge.

Remember, the sponge will be hot once you take it out of the microwave. Don't try to pick it up or take it out of the bowl until it cools down.

Method 2: Soak and clean the sponge

Prepare a 10% bleach solution in a bowl. Add 9 parts water and 1 part bleach to a glass, plastic or ceramic bowl and stir the mixture thoroughly. Make sure there is enough solution to completely submerge the sponge.

Be careful when handling bleach, as we may produce harmful if one is left on the skin for a long time. The solution is strongly diluted and it should be possible to wear a pair of rubber cleaning gloves to protect your skin from environmental irritants.

Sponges are soaked in bleach for 5-10 minutes. While soaking, press the sponge with a wooden spoon or spatula to apply the solution all over the sponge. Every 2-3 minutes, pick it up, squeeze the liquid out of the sponge, and return it to the solution.

This helps ensure that the bleach completely penetrates the sponge and helps remove stains and debris.

Remove the sponge from the solution and rinse thoroughly. After at least 5 minutes, pull the sponge out of the solution and squeeze out all the liquid. Then, rinse the sponge with warm water for 30 seconds, squeezing and wringing the sponge to remove the bleach and any loose debris.

If your sponge smells bad after rinsing, soak it in bleach again, but add 1 part white vinegar to this mixture to neutralize the odor of using bleach.

Place the sponge on the top shelf of the dishwasher to deep clean. Set the dishwasher to the longest and hottest cycle and make sure the sponge is on the wire rack. Choose a heated and dry water cycle to kill the most bacteria and germs. This method works with almost any type of sponge, including synthetic and metal scrubbers.

Method 3: Proper Sponge Use

Replace sponges every 1-2 weeks. Sponges don't last forever, and the longer you have them, the more bacteria they contain. If you use your kitchen sponge every day, try replacing it weekly, or if you don't use it often, replace it every two weeks. If your sponge starts to smell bad or is discolored, throw it away and replace it right away.

Place the sponge on a plate to dry before use. Wash and squeeze the sponge to remove excess moisture. Then, expose it to the edge of a dish or sink so the sponge dries completely between uses. Mold and bacteria can multiply quickly in a damp sponge, especially in warm, humid environments.

Avoid using sponges where they have been in contact with raw meat. Instead of using a sponge, use other materials to clean raw juices from meat. Choose a cloth, towel or paper towel to wipe down cutting boards and countertops. Disinfectant paper towels are also a great option for wiping down counters that need to be cleaned. Sponge seams tend to harbor bacteria, but cloths and rags are not as absorbent.