Hot take: that kitchen sponge you're using is probably filthy no matter how often you rinse it

I read this study from 2017 where they tested kitchen sponges and found that microwaving or boiling them doesn't actually kill all the bacteria. The numbers surprised me - they said a single sponge can hold more bacteria than a toilet seat. I stopped trying to sanitize mine after that and just swap them out every week now. Costs me like 2 bucks at the dollar store for a 6 pack. Has anyone else just given up on cleaning sponges and switched to tossing them regularly?

3 comments

3 Comments

jenny_hall18d ago

Hate to be that person but that 2017 study actually got some pushback from other researchers. They said the numbers were a bit inflated because they tested sponges that were way older and dirtier than what most people use.

the_jessica18d ago

Yeah I remember seeing something about the sponge age thing on Twitter too.

barbarah1918d ago

Did anyone else find that just microwaving the sponge with water for two minutes works way better than anything else? I read that same study a few years ago and started tossing my sponges every 2 weeks no matter what. Honestly, I think the real trick is just keeping them dry between uses. I hang mine on a little suction cup hook by the sink so they get air. That alone cut down on the smell for me. But yeah, you're right that old gross sponges are going to be worse no matter what you do.