Microwave kills 99% of germs in sponges

[corazon]

Saw this article today, and thought I'd pass it along Microwave zaps 99 percent of germs on sponges - Infectious Diseases - MSNBC.com
I usually stick my sponge in the dishwasher but it says here that 2 minutes in the microwave kills 99% of germs.

Happy cooking!

 

[suzyQ3]

Saw this article today, and thought I'd pass it along Microwave zaps 99 percent of germs on sponges - Infectious Diseases - MSNBC.com
I usually stick my sponge in the dishwasher but it says here that 2 minutes in the microwave kills 99% of germs.

Happy cooking!

And I was planning on putting my less-than-pristine kitchen sponge in the dishwasher tonight.

Instead, I'll zap it. But so help me, corazon, if it explodes, I'll find you.

 

[Corey123]

Great find!!

I never even knew that. I've been using Lysol Spray for that. They make a spray specifically for the kitchen now.

And yes, a sponge CAN pick up unwanted parasites, germs and pathogens that can eventually be harmful to your health.

And it can start smelling kind of funky as well, like a smelly rag or dish cloth. I've also soaked them in some bleach and water.

 

[GB]

I do this all the time, but be very careful. Make sure the sponge is wet when you put it in and remember it will be VERY hot when you take it out.

 

[Dina]

Thanks for the tip Corazon. I used to soak it in bleach but will try the microwave.

 

[Corey123]

And all this blasted time, I thought the microwave was just for cooking and reheating food!

 

[StirBlue]

What about the ones with the green scrub on one side; will that be safe too?

 

[Silver]

What about the ones with the green scrub on one side; will that be safe too?

I was wondering the same thing - I usually just throw mine away because they get so...icky. Didn't think you could do anything with them...

 

[GB]

Just make sure it is wet.

 

[amber]

I also buy the ones with the scrub on the one side, so I dont think that would be safe since it probably contains some sort of metal. I just use bleach and hot water, or just toss it away if it gets too funky smelling.

 

[Silver]

I also buy the ones with the scrub on the one side, so I dont think that would be safe since it probably contains some sort of metal. I just use bleach and hot water, or just toss it away if it gets too funky smelling.

i'll check mine when i get home from school tonight to see if there's an "ingredients" list for the sponge

 

[kitchenelf]

The scrubber on one side that I have is still made of plastic stuff - no metal.

Thanks corozon!

 

[Corey123]

I just saw it on the local network news.

They said supposedly, that you can let the sponge be nuked for up to 10 minutes, but there is no guarrantee that the sponge won't be destroyed in that amount of time.

 

[GB]

10 minutes is complete overkill Corey. Go for a minute or two. That is plenty.

 

[Corey123]

I wasn't going past 2 minutes if I were to do it.

 

[corazon]

I'm gonna go for the combo. I like that my dishwasher gets the sponge clean but the microwave will get rid of all the stuff I can't see.

 

[shpj4]

Thats for the information - I think I will try it.

 

[VeraBlue]

And I was planning on putting my less-than-pristine kitchen sponge in the dishwasher tonight.

Instead, I'll zap it. But so help me, corazon, if it explodes, I'll find you.

and I was thinking of throwing mine out!!!


Seriously...how long do most of you keep a kitchen sponge for??? I change mine each Saturday morning.

 

[GB]

I keep mine until they look bad, but I do run them through the dishwasher and I microwave them quite frequently. I have also been known to throw then in with some bleach and water as well.

 

[mudbug]

I just don't do sponges anymore. Too iffy.