This Is How Often You Should Ditch Your Kitchen Sponge, According to Microbiologists
In most homes, a sponge is the primary vehicle for scrubbing stuck-on stains, bits of food, or the kitchen sink itself. But recently, when I went to grab my favorite sponge, it crossed my mind that the sponge I was reaching for hadn’t been replaced in quite some time, and it had seen better days. I asked myself, how often should I wash the sponge itself, and how frequently I should replace it entirely?
Typically, when my sponge is looking crummy or it has a bit of an odor, I just throw it in my dishwasher. But is cycling it through the dishwasher enough to thoroughly wash and sanitize it? Other times, I’ve thrown it in the trash and just gone for the next sponge in the pack. But what is the right choice, and how do I ensure the sponge is actually clean? I knew I needed to consult the experts on this topic, so I enlisted the help and advice of a microbiologist and a cleaning expert.
How Often Should You Switch Your Sponge?
Experts say you should replace sponges every couple weeks, depending on how often you use them, how they’re stored, and how often you’ve cleaned them.
The Best Way to Wash Sponges
“If sponges aren’t washed and stored properly, they serve as perfect habitats for bacterial growth,” explains Christine Sestero, Ph.D., an Alabama-based professor of microbiology at the University of Montevallo. And despite my best efforts, she explained that my tactic of tossing the sponge in the dishwasher might not actually be enough.
Sestero notes that sponges can harbor tons of potentially harmful microbes such as salmonella, Escherichia coli, campylobacter, and listeria. Yikes! I certainly don’t want to make myself or anyone else in my home sick from any of these nasty germs.
She says to clean a dirty sponge, you should try these highly recommended methods:
- Thoroughly washing and rinsing the sponge with soap and very hot water after each use
- Microwaving a damp (metal-free) sponge for 1 minute
- Soaking sponges in a diluted bleach solution (0.02%) for 1 minute
The Best Way to Store Sponges
Additionally, it’s essential to think about how you store your sponge. Leaving it in the sink (as I admit I do) isn’t the best way to store it, she says. “Regardless of the method that’s used, it’s very important that sponges are stored in a dry location,” Sestero says. A damp sponge will grow germs, which is counterproductive to cleaning and sanitizing.
“Always remember to clean your sponge holder or tray — it can be a breeding ground for bacteria, too,” says Jacqueline Stein, owner of Home Reimagined, a cleaning and organizing company. So not only do I need to be cleaning my sponge regularly, but that convenient suction-cupped tray in my sink needs to be cleaned and sanitized just as often (if I continue to use it).
This Is How Often You Should Be Replacing Your Sponge
There are no hard and fast rules as to when exactly to replace a kitchen sponge, but Sestero and Stein generally recommend that you replace them after a couple weeks. Think about what you’ve been using it for lately or how long you’ve used it. “I will generally throw out the sponge I use to prep Thanksgiving dinner after one day (lots of cross-contamination from various raw foods), but I’ll hold on to ‘everyday’ use sponges longer — a few weeks to a month, unless I know they’re heavily contaminated,” Sestero explains.
There are a few easy ways to tell if it’s time to toss it in the trash. “If it starts to smell or feel slimy, toss it immediately — it’s already harboring too much bacteria,” Stein explains. Stein also says she replaces her sponge every two weeks regardless of whether it looks worn out.
A Pro Tip to Keep Your Sponges in Use for Longer
One thing to note (ahem, that I learned was a big no-no while researching this topic) is to avoid using the same sponge to scrub pots and pans, and then to clean the kitchen sink, countertops, or anything else. Using the same sponge in different cleaning jobs can cause cross-contamination and can magnify the spread of germs.
“Unless you wipe with a brand-new or sterile sponge, you’re likely adding more microbes to the surface instead of reducing what’s already there,” Sestero says. It’s simple: When moving to the next cleaning task that needs to be performed with a sponge, grab a new one. Better yet, designate different sponges for different jobs.
How often do you replace your kitchen sponge? Let us know in the comments below!