We were recently reminded that the ever trustworthy tool, the sponge, is often neglected when it comes to its own cleaning.
It's a common fact that sponges are notorious for spreading bacteria, so they should be cleaned often. The easiest way is to microwave a thoroughly soaked sponge (a dry item might cause a fire) for about 30 seconds to 1 minute or so, to generate steam...
There is not much one encounters routinely that is nastier than a stinky sponge. Which is why I buy mine at Trader Joe's (natural cellulose, cheap), and throw them out once a week. The microwave trick works better than the dishwasher, which doesn't really kill off the mildew (or the smell.) But the best thing to do is to just replace them, often. Same with pot scrubbers (also available, cheaply, though not so environmentally friendly, at TJ's.)
Paige, you have just relieved me of guilt on sponge disposal. I was thinking last night:
(a) "This sponge has left my hands stinky."
(b) "But it's fairly new."
Honestly, I'd rather toss it when it annoys me, rather than giving myself one more cleaning task to feel guilty about not doing promptly.
I don't own a dishwasher or a microwave, so I simply boil my sponges for a few minutes about once a week. It works beautifully. Soaking them in one part bleach to 9 parts water also works.
Not about cleaning the sponges themselves, but a wet sponge microwaved for a minute (or a little more), picked up with tongs, and plopped on stubbornly stuck on gloop on counter or stovetop, works wonders! Even gets off hardened caramel and dried on oatmeal.
Au, aka Heloise.....
no. you absolutely do not put them in the dishwasher. pieces flake off and get caught in the drainage of the dishwasher, and who wants that?
stick to the microwave method.
If you want to keep them clean longer, rinse them well after you use them, and let them get a lot of air circulation. You can stand them on edge, or rest them against something so the long sides are exposed.
Rather than a sponge, I've cut up and hemmed squares of "scratchy towels" (originally intended for the shower). It does a great job of cleaning, and dries quickly when left to hang. When I need to wash one, I just toss it in with my laundry.
Some time back we bought a pair of sponge holders which attached to the side of the sink with a suction cup. Since the holder is more like a sqaure-ish hook with very little surface area in contact with the sponge, it allows the sponge to dry out quickly and thoroughly. We have been using it (the hook) for months and it does prevent odors from building up...though it is alwaysa good idea to trhow out sponges after a month. I am sure I bought it from Bed Bath and Beyond but could not find a link for the product on their site.
Yes, but how to get the stinky sponge smell out of the microwave?
Have you ever smelled it after it has been cooked?
It smells terrible :(
g
I use three or four a day, and just throw them into the dishwasher every night. Done.
I personally tried each method and find boiling them in 10% bleach solution for 3 min to be the best way to clean them. Besides cleaning them it helps with the smell old sponges tend to aquire. In the dishwasher my cheaper sponges break apart and in the microwave the sponges and the microwave become stinky smelling. I personally by sponges 2 for $1 at the dollar store and dispose of weekly or bi weekly depending on how much i use them that week.
I buy real sponges in stores with paint supplies. A package costs about $7 and the sponge never smells, lasts forever. For scrubbing, I sometimes wrap them in a plastic mesh.
The ones in the supermarket get smelly after a week or two, are a huge waste of money and natural resources.
Just do not leave them soaking wet all the time. Yup like mentioned on anther post, put them on those suction cup holders to the side of the sink. And microwave regularly ;)
I usually buy the large sponges and cut them in half. The package comes 6 to a bag and I open them one at a time. Once a month I toss the old sponge into the garage so it can be used for the car's tire's and dirty wheels. It doesn't take long for the car sponge to lose its usefulness so I keep a supply on hand al lthe time. This is the way I beat the SMELL!
I am really really picky with sponges. I usually can't find any that I like, and go on long search expeditions to find something acceptable. My problem is now solved. "Jetz Scrubz" sponges are the best! They don't smell, don't fall apart, and last forever.
In NYC you can get them at Gracious Home.
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