How To Sanitize Your Kitchen Sponge Without Chemicals

Sanitize Your Kitchen Sponge Daily: When In Doubt, Throw It Out

You can extend the life of your kitchen sponge by sanitizing it daily. It’s probably a good idea to replace your sponge every other week or so, especially if you use it all the time. Devote one sponge to different duties, too. Use one for the kitchen counters, tables, appliances, and sink areas, one for the floors, and one for the bathroom. You get the picture. The last thing you want to do is use one single sponge for a variety of cleaning. Here's another tip. Don’t use a sponge for cleaning up raw meat messes. Go ahead and use a paper towel and promptly throw it away. Note that if your sponge is giving off some nasty smells, go ahead and pitch it along with the paper towels. It's always better to follow the mantra, "When in doubt, throw it out," to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Microwave: Quick and Effective Way To Zap Bacteria Away

Whatever is lurking inside your kitchen sponge doesn’t have a fighting chance against the power of your microwave oven. First, make sure the sponge doesn’t have any metal or an attached plastic scouring pad. Soak the sponge in water and place it in a microwave-safe dish. If your microwave has a glass plate included, go ahead and use it. Caution: Never microwave a dry sponge, as it could catch on fire. Microwave the wet sponge on high for two minutes. Leave it in the microwave oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the bowl, squeeze out excess water, and enjoy a bacterial-free, safe-as-can-be sponge.

Dishwasher: Double Up With Your Dishes

Here's a sanitized kitchen sponge technique that you can easily do every day. Did you ever think that your dishwasher could sanitize kitchen sponges? Simply throw your dirty sponges into the dishwasher’s top rack right along your dishes. The amazing wash, rinse, and dry cycles of this kitchen dynamo will blast out any bacteria that is growing inside your sponges. Go for the longest and hottest setting. The dry cycle is your bacteria-fighting best friend here with an extra dose of bacteria battling heat.

Boiling Water: Melts the Bacterial Menaces Away

Boiling water is a long-time and trusted natural disinfectant. Imagine that...the water we drink when heated up fights germs! Simply boil two to three cups of water in a saucepan or pot. Drop all your sponges in the pool and boil for five or ten minutes. Turn off the burner and allow them to cool in the water. Squeeze the water out, allow to air dry, and they will return to squeaky clean and good to go.

Baking Soda Super Star For Cleaning Sponges

Baking soda is a common household ingredient that is probably in your pantry right now. It's great for keeping your refrigerator smelling fresh as it absorbs odors, removing stains from carpeting, and makes your kitchen sink sparkle. For a quick cleaning fix in a pinch, how to clean your kitchen sponges that aren't extremely dirty, try this. Make a pasty solution with four tablespoons of baking soda and one quart of warm water. Soak your sponges for 15 minutes, flush with warm water, and enjoy a cleaner, fresher-smelling kitchen sponge. This may not kill all the bacteria like other methods, but is a common way to clean lightly dirty sponges.

Distilled White Vinegar: Multi-Purpose Natural Cleaner

One of the most handy pantry ingredients that doubles as a natural cleaner and germ killer is white vinegar. It’s great for washing windows, removing stains, cleaning shower heads, enhancing laundry, and is great for cleaning sponges. Simply soak your sponges in full-strength white vinegar for five minutes. Rinse with warm water until all the vinegar is flushed out, and allow them to air dry. No worries if the vinegar smell lingers. It's harmless and adds a layer of cleaning power.

Bleach and Water: Does the Sanitizing Trick Every Time

Bleach is a common household cleaner that will kill bacteria and germs and clean your kitchen sponge. It's not as natural as other methods, but does the trick. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Simply add 3/4 cup bleach to a gallon of water and allow dirty sponges to soak for five minutes. Remove and rinse under warm water. Like vinegar, if a bleach smell lingers, it will assist in your cleaning efforts.