Cleaning sponge and its disinfection are procedures that are still worth carrying out. Using a kitchen sponge to wipe a table, a stain from the floor or a shelf, you introduce a huge amount of bacteria onto it. Even if it seems to you that the sponge is clean at first glance, it is not. A sponge can contain thousands of bacteria per square centimeter. In order to avoid the accumulation of bacteria, microbes and fungal spores in the sponge, it is necessary to clean the sponge at least every 3-4 days using one of the following methods. Last time we looked at how to clean a hair straightener, and this time I will tell you several ways to clean a sponge and disinfect it.
Daily sponge cleaning
Microwave method (for sponges that do not contain metal inclusions)
Soaking method
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- After you remove the sponge from microwave oven, there will be a lot of steam and moisture left in it, which can loosen stains and dried food debris. So. After this procedure, be sure to wipe the inside of the microwave with a paper towel or a simple rag.
- After using the sponge, rinse it under water and wrap it in a paper towel so that it absorbs all excess moisture. A more environmentally friendly and generally less wasteful option is to use a kitchen towel instead of a paper towel.
- Use cloth kitchen towels for wiping floors, tables, spills, etc. This way you will save on paper towels and increase the life of your sponge.
- If you want to kill not only all spores but also bacteria using a microwave, then try to be sure. That the sponge will be wet for the entire 5 minutes, otherwise it may melt or even catch fire.
- Replace the sponge regularly. Buy sponges labeled “germ-resistant” at the store to increase protection against microorganisms.
- Try not to use your sponge everywhere. For example, to wipe meat juices off a cutting board, get a separate towel. Paper ones are great, but to save money you can also get rag ones.
- Use a little lemon or lemon cleanser when you sanitize your sponge with bleach to help combat the bleach smell. You can also immediately use scented bleach. After this procedure, be sure to rinse the sponge under running water.
- Next time we will look at how to clean a suitcase.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN CLEANING THE KITCHEN SPONGE
- When using the microwave method, be careful when removing the sponge from the oven. The moisture can be very hot and you will get burned.
- Do not put the sponge in the microwave for more than 5 minutes, otherwise it may cause a fire.
- Before cleaning in the dishwasher, check the manufacturer's instructions or look on the website. Some manufacturers and repairers dishwashers It is not recommended to use this method, as pieces of the sponge may come off and get stuck in the mechanism.
- Your microwave may smell bad if a moldy sponge starts to burn in it.
- Our body needs bacteria, since there are not only bad ones, but also beneficial ones. Also, to improve our immune system, we need the body to fight harmful bacteria. So, don't keep everything sterile clean, it can be bad for your immune system.
- Never put a sponge that is dry or barely damp into the microwave oven as this may cause a fire.
Do you know what is the dirtiest place in the kitchen? No, not a trash can or even a refrigerator. And a kitchen sponge. The same sponge that housewives carefully use to clean their dishes every day. It’s a paradox, but sponges also need to be washed. Even more: disinfect. And we will tell you how to do this most effectively in this review.
There is no need to prove that dishes need to be washed more often. But the main tool in the fight to keep plates clean also needs to be washed regularly. Even disinfection, like medical instruments. Need arguments? Think about it: according to laboratory studies, on one square centimeter of a kitchen sponge, about 30 billion (!) diverse bacteria. Not to mention, porous surfaces are an ideal breeding ground for mold. Doesn't sound very appetizing, right?
To reduce the level of “consumption” of potentially dangerous bacteria, sponges should be washed regularly (ideally every day). The same researchers also established how to do this correctly during field tests. Having compared the effectiveness of popular life hacks on the Internet, they came to the conclusion: the largest number of bacteria kills bleach.
Therefore, give your kitchen sponges a “bath” every day in a bowl or plate with clean water and 3/4 measuring cup of bleach. Let soak for 5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Better yet, change the sponge more often. At least every week or two. And here are these.
Did you know that the kitchen can be a breeding ground for bacteria and germs? In this article, you will find shocking facts, practical tools and tips to help you clean and make your kitchen sterile.
According to a 2012 study, when preparing certain foods, you may be contaminating up to 90% of your kitchen surfaces without even realizing it!
This fact is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the degree of contamination of the kitchen with germs and bacteria. It can even be argued that in terms of antiseptic potential, the kitchen can outshine even the bathroom. And although most of us are not “cleanliness fanatics”, like Monica from the comedy “Friends,” we prefer to work in a clean kitchen, purely for the sake of our health, and the kitchen must be disinfected constantly. Anyone finds dirt on a kitchen surface unnatural, so it is not surprising that we want to see the culinary hearth of our apartments and houses clean.
If you check your kitchen surfaces carefully, you will find dozens of corners suitable for the growth of germs. Whether it's a rag you use for cleaning kitchen table/ countertops, cutting board where meat and vegetables are cut, kitchen sink, where dirty plates are collected or a trash can, for which germs remain something natural. According to a Reader's Digest article on the top eight places for germs to grow, four of them are in the kitchen. In the next section, you will find the weak points of the kitchen and ways to protect and clean the kitchen from germs and bacteria.
Stages of cleaning and disinfection of the kitchen
Would you believe me if I say that cooking at home is no longer a healthy solution for your family, especially for children and the elderly? Bacteria are extremely harmful, just think of E. coli. Research has shown that most people prefer to wash their hands with water rather than soap. And while water is still a natural cleaning agent, that doesn't mean it's effective enough to wash away all the bacteria and germs. The irony is that while the kitchen becomes a potential breeding ground for bacteria and germs, it also supplies everything needed to make the kitchen sterile. Details below.
Disinfect the sponge and dishcloth
Research has found that raw meat, eggs and raw vegetables are significant sources of bacteria and microbes, including E. coli, which causes severe stomach diseases. These microorganisms usually remain on kitchen countertop, and when they are cleaned, the pests move onto rags and sponges. Since they are cleaning tools, they become an ideal breeding ground for pests, this is where the need for disinfection of these household items comes from.
An effective way to get rid of bacteria is to wash in hot water. The temperature should be above +60 degrees Celsius. To others effective weapon The microwave oven becomes antibacterial. Simply throw a sponge or dishrag into the oven for two minutes at a high temperature and you will easily eliminate all bacteria and germs. Be careful when removing the sponge/rag from the microwave, they will be hot.
Clean the kitchen sink
Leftover food - meat, fish, raw eggs, pork and raw vegetables - that are washed in the sink leave their mark in increasing bacteria. If you carefully inspect your kitchen sink, especially around the edges, you will find thin layer mold and other bacteriological formations. Make sure you clean your sink thoroughly every day and your kitchen will be sanitized faster. You can use products like disinfectant spray or bleach. Also, be sure to clean the area around the sink to avoid bacteria being transferred between the sink and countertop.
Clean the trash can
And while you can take out the trash every day, removing bacteria requires something more! Most of us just rinse out our trash cans, we don't care about a good cleaning until we see evidence of stuck food or mold. Remember that our kitchen is a compact space where we are in constant motion from one end to the other. You shouldn't leave any corner for germs, including the route from the trash can to the plates.
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap
There is a reason why people make antibacterial soaps, and yes, your kitchen should have one that needs to be used every time you touch food and kitchen surfaces while cooking. There are many things we do in the kitchen unknowingly, such as drying our hands with the same towel we used to wipe the knife before using it with meat and vegetables. It happens that we lick our fingers after tasting a dish, and then use the same fingers to take parsley for garnish. Cooking is a creative activity that requires all our attention, but if you want to prevent the possibility of intestinal diseases, make sure you use antibacterial soap to wash your hands.
Wash the cutting board
I was shocked when I came across research done by microbiologist Charles Gerbe of the University of Arizona. He stated that a regular cutting board in the house contains 200 times more fecal bacteria than on the toilet seat!
And while this fact may seem disgusting to you, it does not change the fact that the cutting board needs a thorough cleaning. Let's start with the fact that you must have two different boards for meat and vegetables. The grooves created by a knife when cutting food become ideal home for harmful bacteria. To wash cutting board, use a soap mixture and spray 5% vinegar over the surface of the board. Leave it overnight and the next day put the board in the microwave for 30 seconds. Yes, you need to make an effort to kill bacteria.
Don't reuse plastic bags
How often do we reuse plastic bags for packaging purposes? Have you ever thought about what happens when you put apples in the bag you were in? chicken breast? And even though you “rinsed” it with water, this does not reduce the risk of harmful bacteria like Salmonella forming. It is recommended to recycle plastic bags used for packaging meat, vegetables, etc.
Use only fresh ziplock bags for packaging and storing food. The same logic should be followed with reusing foil.
When we talk about keeping your kitchen germ-free, the point is to ensure cleanliness in the true sense of the word. Inattention, for example, dirty dishes forgotten overnight kitchen sink, reuse kitchen towels, dirty sponges for different purposes or rinsing your hands with water alone all contribute to the growth of germs. So do everything necessary and ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones.
Sponges are supposed to keep your kitchen and bathroom clean, but unfortunately, they are quite capable of spreading harmful germs. Sponges pick up bacteria from food, hands, or surfaces they clean. And since they often don't dry out between uses, this moist, warm environment is ideal place for the growth of bacteria. Today we will tell you how to clean a dish sponge.
Of course, dishwashing sponges aren't meant to last forever; they should be replaced every couple of weeks. But we can very well extend their service life in a couple of ways.
Soaking in bleach.
Bleach is a powerful disinfectant that is great at killing bacteria on sponges. Just remember to dilute it with water before use. To prepare a disinfectant solution, mix 1 to 3 tablespoons of bleach with 1 liter of water. You can store this solution in a bottle and use it to periodically clean your sponges.
Soak the sponge in the solution for five minutes, then rinse under running water and dry.
Soaking in vinegar.
If you don't want to soak your sponges in bleach, try using vinegar essence. It kills bacteria no less effectively. You can leave the sponge to soak in vinegar essence overnight, and in the morning you need to rinse and dry it.
If you use a dishwasher, throw your sponges into the wash cycle. Detergent for dishwashers kills up to 99.9% of all germs.
Microwave.
Wet the sponge with water and place it in the microwave for 1 minute. But this method is not suitable for the most tenacious bacteria. And do not heat sponges with metal or wood parts in the microwave.
Washing machine.
You can clean your sponge while washing in washing machine. Perfect for washing high temperatures ah or with added bleach.
If you clean your dish sponges using one of these methods, you can use them for a longer time.
17.07.2019
Kitchen sponges contain a huge number of microorganisms that can harm your health. How to disinfect them? Discover several options!
Do you know why it is so important to clean kitchen utensils regularly? sponges? Yes because they are real breeding ground for bacteria and harmful microorganisms(despite the fact that they themselves are intended to cleanliness).
It is considered to be one of the most contaminated items we deal with in everyday life. For what reason does this happen? The fact is that humidity and food residues simply create an ideal environment for the proliferation of pathogenic organisms.
That's why it's so important to learn Clean kitchen utensils daily, and preferably after each use. sponges (disinfect them). And if you still don’t know how to do it correctly, then our article today is for you! Share 5 interesting solutions this problem.
Why do you need to disinfect kitchen sponges?
So, we use sponges to wash dishes, cutlery and various surfaces. Their The material and structure are ideal for easy fat separation and stuck food debris. So why might they pose a risk to our health?
The answer is very simple: the moisture and "porosity" make sponges an ideal home for bacteria, e.g. E. coli, salmonella or campylobacter. In such an environment it is easier for them to reproduce, and they can live up to two weeks.
While washing dishes these bacteria remain on its surface, which increases the risk of infection. Therefore, dishwashing sponges need to be, firstly, changed more often, and secondly, regularly disinfected so that they are as clean as possible (as possible).
How to disinfect sponges for washing dishes: practical solutions
Although disinfection methods kitchen sponges are very effective, the latter should be changed at least twice a month. And even if you think they look quite clean, There will still be food debris and bacteria inside. Now let's see how you can clean dishwashing sponges.
This product makes the environment acidic, which helps eliminate many bacteria and harmful microorganisms.
It is one of the best natural products for disinfecting kitchen sponges. Due to the concentration of organic acids it changes the environment necessary for the proliferation of microorganisms. In addition, vinegar removes unpleasant odors and traces of fat.
How to use it?
- First, boil a glass of water.
- Then mix with the same amount of white vinegar.
- Dip a dish sponge into the mixture and leave for 20 minutes.
- After the specified time has passed, wring it out to remove any remaining dirt.
- Finally, if you feel necessary, you can rinse with water (using soap).
2. Liquid soap
Properties liquid soap or dishwashing liquids can be very useful for cleaning sponges. However, for deeper cleansing It is recommended to use additional boiling water(not just hot water).
What do we have to do?
- Add one tablespoon of liquid soap or dishwashing liquid to a bowl of boiling water.
- Dip a kitchen sponge into it.
- Wait 20 minutes, then rinse and wring out the sponge.
3. Microwave
The temperature achieved in a microwave oven can also effectively disinfect sponges.
is a good ally, especially when it comes to killing pathogens. High temperatures change the characteristic humid environment, which blocks the growth and reproduction of bacteria.
What do we have to do?
- Keep in mind that some dish sponges are made from synthetic materials, which may melt when exposed to high temperatures in a microwave oven. Therefore, it is best to place them in a deep container filled with water and vinegar.
- Place the container with the sponge in the microwave and turn it on for 2 minutes.
- If your sponge has an unpleasant or musty odor, this method will eliminate it.
- Just remove the container very carefully so as not to get burned.
4. Kitchen sponges and lemon juice
It's certainly not the most powerful disinfectant, but it's still a good alternative for cleaning kitchen sponges. Especially if you don’t have either vinegar or a special cleaning product on hand. has antibacterial properties, and therefore it is often used to clean and disinfect various surfaces.
What do we have to do?
- Squeeze the juice from several lemons and add it to a container of hot water.
- Soak the sponge in it for 20 minutes.
- Then rinse cold water(and soap).
5. Tea tree essential oil
Due to its antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil can effectively fight bacteria.
The latest solution we suggest for disinfecting kitchen sponges is tea tree oil. This ingredient, known for its therapeutic properties, destroys bacteria and harmful microorganisms. In addition, its use helps minimize the smell of moisture and mold.
What do we have to do?
- First, add 15-20 drops of oil to a cup of boiling water.
- Place a dirty dish sponge there and leave for 20 minutes.
- Then rinse the sponge and squeeze thoroughly to remove any remaining dirt. If you feel that the sponge is not clean enough, you can additionally wash it with liquid soap.
How often do you disinfect sponges for washing dishes? Now that you know how important this is, be sure to try one of the above remedies.
Bibliography
- Cardinale, M., Kaiser, D., Lueders, T., Schnell, S., & Egert, M. (2017). Microbiome analysis and confocal microscopy of used kitchen sponges reveal massive colonization by Acinetobacter, Moraxella and Chryseobacterium species. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06055-9
- Erdogrul, Ö., & Erbilir, F. (2000). Microorganisms in Kitchen Sponges. Internet Journal of Food Safety.
- Wolde, T., & Bacha, K. (2016). Microbiological Safety of Kitchen Sponges Used in Food Establishments. International Journal of Food Science. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1659784
- Rossi, E. M., Scapin, D., Grando, W. F., & Tondo, E. C. (2012). Microbiological Contamination and Disinfection Procedures of Kitchen Sponges used in Food Services. Food and Nutrition Sciences. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2012.37129
- Speirs, J. P., Anderton, A., & Anderson, J. G. (1995). A study of the microbial content of the domestic kitchen. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603129509356839
