This is how often you should change your kitchen sponge (billions of bacteria less)

Ah, washing up, that daily chore that many of us hate, but unfortunately we can’t avoid. Every day, this little cottony rectangle scrubs and cleans a whole bunch of utensils, cutlery and plates covered in food debris, before remaining placed near the sink until the next meal. No wonder it’s one of the dirtiest objects in the house. A study published in the journal Scientific Reports has also identified up to 45 billion bacteria per square centimeter of used sponge and more than 360 different species, including pathogens such as Salmonella which can have “a significant impact on the health and well-being of users that can go beyond classic infectious diseases, such as foodborne illnesses” report the researchers. Engaging, isn’t it?

“Because of their structure, sponges are reservoirs of microorganisms and real breeding grounds for bacteriaconfirms to the media Well & GoodTrevor Craig, a food safety expert in a microbiology laboratory. Sponges are porous, which means they can absorb oil, grease, and food debris, as well as transfer them from one surface to another. As a result, they quickly accumulate tons of food particles and debris and are extremely difficult to clean.“. That’s why you have to throw them away and swap them for clean sponges very often.

“Personally, I recommend replacing your kitchen sponge about once a week. (you can set a day in the week: for example, every Sunday, I change my sponge, editor’s note)”, recommends the expert, before recommending instead the use of cleaning brushes for the dishes, which have a more resistant composition. According to the expert, they tend to have lower levels of bacteria than sponges and can be used for longer, until they start to show signs of wear, which is approximately every 2-3 months.