Being the germaphobe that I am, I frequently request that my daughter wash her hands after using the sponge my mother uses for dishes. I am also the first to make a complaint anytime these green and yellow sponges are used for cleaning counters and other surfaces. I am only OK with the idea that they are used to clean dishes because I have some trust that our dishwasher can wash away the germys the sponge left on the plate when it was clearing off the food..
The Dec 2006 edition of the Journal of Environmental Health has no given me a way to feel a little better about these sponges my mother refuses to let go off. Their study showed that when microwaved for 4 minutes, all signs of microbacteria had vanished. Yep. microbuggies..Dead.
The study showed that in reality only 2 minutes were needed to kill 99% of bacteria including E. Coli. This is more effective then just tossing the sponge in the dishwasher.
So now I will take it apon myself to nuke the sponges every other day so that I do not feel it neccesacry to ask my daughter to wash her hands after using the same sponge my mother uses to wash the dishes.
In between regular nukes, placing in a small dish of diluted bleach water on the counter can give some piece of mind and reduce any ill smells.
The Plan!
- Sponge should be suffieciently wet before microwaving (dry=possible fire?!)
- Sponge will be hot. Place on a microwave safe plate to nuke and remove carefully.
