Kitchen sponges are versatile cleaning supplies commonly used for washing dishes, cleaning kitchen appliances, and wiping up food spills. They consist of squishy polyurethane foam to absorb liquid and retain its shape.
Sponges can harbor harmful pathogens, viruses, and microbes from raw eggs, meats, and vegetables. Failure to sterilize kitchen sponges regularly can cause food-borne illnesses, such as Salmonella and hepatitis A.
Sterilize sponges with a microwave weekly to prevent contamination and create a healthier kitchen environment. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Rinse the sponge under cool water to wash out loose food debris and grime. Wring out excess liquid from the sponge.
- Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup of cool water. Lay the sponge in the bowl of water.
- Place the bowl in the microwave. Microwave the bowl on the highest heat setting for two minutes. Operate the microwave according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Allow the bowl to cool completely before removing it from the microwave.
- Wait for the water to cool thoroughly before removing the sponge.
You can substitute a dishwasher’s drying cycle for two minutes in the microwave.
Handle the bowl carefully to avoid burning yourself.
Sponges are convenient and reusable, but they carry a big problem. If they’re used all day, all over the kitchen, they can pick up a lot of bacteria and viruses, along with spills and splatters. Luckily there is something in nearly every kitchen that can clean sponges, and it doesn’t just clean them, it sterilizes them: sterilize kitchen sponge in microwave. The microwave-it’s not just for popcorn anymore.
