Your kitchen is incomplete without that small piece of sponge. That small sponge does many jobs, from cleaning dishes to cleaning the mess on the stove or even cleaning the sink. But the important piece can be a big harbor for germs and microbes and need to be replaced from time to time. But how often should you replace kitchen sponge?
You should replace the kitchen sponge every two weeks because this time they get worn out, get smelly and even get too dirty. Also, their ability to clean surfaces diminishes. You can even replace them earlier if you want to. Also, for your sponge to stay free from germs and smell, you should clean & squeeze them every other day.
Let’s get to know more about kitchen sponge and their replacement & cleaning.
How Often Should You Replace Kitchen Sponge?
Depending on how frequently you use it, you should replace your kitchen sponge every two weeks to even per month. That means you can squeeze some more calendar days out of the rotation if your dinner plans normally consist of takeout and disposable plates.
Alternatively, rather than using the same sponge to wash dishes and wipe down counters, allocate several sponges to different duties to avoid contamination.
The final line is that it’s probably preferable to buy a large pack of sponges and replace them on a weekly basis.
How To Clean Your Kitchen Sponges Daily?
To prevent bacterial development, sterilize sponges frequently by microwaving, boiling, or soaking them in a weak bleach solution. These procedures will not eliminate all of the microorganisms on your sponge, but they will reduce the number of germs by more than 99.9%.
Instead of using a dishwasher to clean sponges, you should use a microwave. Microwaving a damp sponge generates steam within its pockets, producing sufficient heat to kill bacteria. Dishwashers are designed to clean hard surfaces such as dishes, but they may not be as successful with porous, soft sponges.
Method: If you want to make sure your sponge is completely clean and won’t catch fire, you should run it under water for a few seconds before microwaving it for a full minute. Put it in a kettle of water, boil it for five minutes, or soak it in a bleach solution.
Why You Should Clean & Replace Kitchen Sponges?
Sponges are the ideal germ reservoir. They are typically wet, stored in a warm environment, have a large surface area, and contain numerous nutrients for microorganisms such as food residue and even dishwashing soap. As a result, kitchen sponges are known for hosting a wide variety of bacteria, including E. coli.
Bacteria not only live but thrive in this environment, where they can spread to your countertop and the dishes you believe you’re cleaning.
So that’s why you need to clean sponges daily and even replace them every two weeks or even earlier for better safety.
What Are Safer & Better Alternatives To Kitchen Sponges?
There are sponge alternatives that are less likely to harbor bacteria and viruses and will last the test of time. Silicone sponges and scrubbing brushes are less porous, and the substance does not support bacterial development in a moist enough environment.
Microfiber dishcloths, for example, should be laundered in a washing machine on high heat after each usage.
Bottom Line
This was all about how often should you replace kitchen sponge. So the ideal duration is every two weeks or even earlier if the sponge is becoming smelly. Moreover, apart from just replacing it, you need to clean the sponge every day after use to prevent germs and smell.
We hope you found this article helpful & informative. Please leave your valuable thoughts & suggestions in the comments below!
Thank you for reading!