Sterilize Your Sponge in the Microwave
Source: I just thought of this myself, as the microwave gets very hot.
By Robin from Gothenburg, Sweden
Editor's Note: The University of Florida Researchers recommends making sure the sponge is very wet and microwave it for 2 minutes. Never walk away from the microwave during this time, just in case of a fire.
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Sterilize Your Sponge in the Microwave
Germs/bacteria are killed at tempertures of over 140 degrees. So yeah the dishwasher or a bowl of boiled water will do the same as a microwave, and save electricity and your microwave. Sometimes lo-tech is better and cheaper than high-tech.
Same thing with toothbrushes, plain boiling water in a glass or cup sterilizes it. Swish it around before you take it out to shake off debris. Whenever your'e sick, you should sterilize your toothbrush every time you use it. Otherwise you're reintroducing the germs from the toothbrush every time you use it.
Post By jojo (Guest Post)
RE: Sterilize Your Sponge in the Microwave
Wouldn't boiling the sponge in a pan of water for a few minutes have the same effect as microwaving without the danger?
Just a thought! That's how my mother used to do tea towels etc.
Post By Peter (Guest Post)
RE: Sterilize Your Sponge in the Microwave
Microwaves operate by causing water, fat, salt and sugar molecules to vibrate and cause heat. They penetrate from 3/4" to 1-1/2" into any item/food placed in the microwave oven. Microwaves are essentially RADIO waves,(radar, etc.), not nuclear radiation. The heat of microwaving a wet sponge will surround all bacteria in the sponge, killing it. Bacteria cannot live without food and moisture, and must be in an environment from 40 degrees to 140 degrees F to grow successfully (human bodies are right in the middle of that range!). Getting rid of a growth medium (food), drying the bacteria (salt, alcohol, etc.) or raising the temperature above 140 degrees will kill the bacteria.
Post By jstiles (Guest Post)
RE: Sterilize Your Sponge in the Microwave
Myself and a friend heard about sterilizing sponges in the microwave. Each of us were using sponges with the green scrubbie on one side and microwaving wet for 1-2 minutes after doing the dishes once per day. After a couple of weeks our microwaves were damaged. One was starting all foods on fire and the other just was not arming and had a strange smell when tried. Is this just a coinsidence?
Post By Heather (Guest Post)
RE: Sterilize Your Sponge in the Microwave
I dump mine in with my regular wash. I figure if it gets the clothes clean it will do the sponges too.
Post By SunshineRose (Guest Post)
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