It is recommended to disinfect your sponges at least once a week. In just two steps, and with two common products, you’re done.
It is essential to clean your kitchen every week to maintain a healthy, bacteria-free environment. But very often, we forget the sponges. They are essential tools for washing dishes and cleaning surfaces, but they are also real breeding grounds for bacteria. The kitchen sponge is used in humid conditions and is often exposed to food residue and various liquids. This creates an environment favorable to the rapid multiplication of bacteria, particularly potentially pathogenic types such as Escherichia coli or Salmonella.
Even if the sponge appears clean, it may contain millions of bacteria invisible to the naked eye. These can easily be transferred to surfaces, utensils and even hands, posing a health risk. And yet, few people think about disinfecting them. We use them until they are worn out and then throw them away. And although it is recommended to change them every two weeks, many keep them for several weeks. It is high time to change our habits and disinfect them regularly, at least once a week, or even more to prevent them from becoming sources of contamination.
A popular idea for disinfecting a sponge is to microwave it. Although this method is effective in killing certain bacteria, it also carries risks: if the sponge is dry or poorly moistened, it can catch fire. Additionally, microwaving does not eliminate all bacteria, some being heat resistant. There are safer and equally effective alternatives without using the microwave.
To disinfect your sponges, all you need is white vinegar, salt and a saucepan. The first step in this method is to thoroughly soak the sponge with white vinegar, then wring it out to remove the first layer of dirt. Then rinse it with water. This will eliminate most bacteria in just a few seconds.
For a more thorough cleaning, you must move on to the second step, with the salt. Heat water in a saucepan, and pour in a tablespoon of coarse salt or sea salt. Then place the sponge in the mixture. Let the sponge boil for around fifteen minutes. The salt and heat will destroy the rest of the bacteria. This method is really simple and ultimately only takes a few seconds. During the 15 minutes, you can carry out other tasks in the kitchen at the same time, which is ideal for optimizing time.