Dirty sponge, don’t throw it away: if you do, it will be as good as new

Dish sponge: how to clean and disinfect it

There are many of them at least every week  , since washing them is not enough, for others it would be enough to do it monthly, but it is necessary  to wash them periodically but in the correct way.

Sponges need to be properly sanitized, but they should be replaced if they are worn or damaged. Most people don’t know how to properly clean a kitchen sponge; in fact, you need to clean it with  water, soap, and a disinfectant.

First, remove any food residue. After rinsing it thoroughly, prepare it in a solution made from  salt, hot water and baking soda  and leave it to soak for at least 20 minutes.

If you want  to remove odors  from kitchen sponges, a more effective way is to soak them after washing in a mixture made from cold water (hot water tends to set odors and stains), salt and vinegar  .

If there are traces of mold, you can add a few  drops of tea tree oil  (about ten), or hydrogen peroxide and hot water. Once rinsed, drain and air dry.

You could also use bleach, but apart from the strong smell, this product is toxic and also polluting, so it is not at all “ecological”.

Washing in the dishwasher allows them to be sanitized  ,  for which they must be placed in the dishes department.

To avoid the risk of cross contamination, it is advisable to have separate sponges, depending on their use, differentiating them, for example, by colour.

A good way to keep them in good condition is not to leave them in the sink, but to let them air dry, even better  under the sun’s rays.