How long do you microwave your kitchen sponge??

[a kennedy]

[jimfields33]

1. I put it in for 20 seconds.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Never.

But then I don't use kitchen sponges. I use washclothes and I wash them every week.

[a kennedy]

9. I just like the rough side of those kitchen sponges.....really helps with washing stuff off

the plates, glasses, and pans, etc……

[wnylib]

25. I like them, too.

But I don't microwave mine. I let them soak for about 2 minutes in a bleach and water solution. Fill a small dish with water, add a capful of bleach, and put the sponge in it.

When I take the sponge out, I pour the bleach solution out into one sink and rinse the sponge in the other sink (double stainless steel sinks). Then I rub the rinsed/poured out bleach solution around the insides of the sinks with a paper towel to kill any germs left from rinsing dishes, veggies, etc. in the sinks.

Keeps both the sponge and the sinks sanitized.

[Liberty Belle]

3. I run mine through the dishwasher.

Never hard of microwaving it!

[a kennedy]

8. Ha ha, I'm our dishwasher.......don't have an appliance to do my dishes....😅

[Joinfortmill]

18. Me too

[2naSalit]

4. Never thought of that.

I'll check back to see what turns up.

[MontanaMama]

5. 3 minutes.

Everything I’ve read says 3 minutes…no more, no less.

[demmiblue]

6. I don't.

I spritz it with vinegar.

[a kennedy]

7. Interesting.......like this idea.

[demmiblue]

10. I also use vinegar to clean the counters/sink.

I keep a spray bottle of it under the sink.

[Ocelot II]

11. Never, because I don't use them.

[Binkie The Clown]

12. No sponges. I toss my Scotch Brite pads in the washing machine with..

the dish towels and dish cloths.

I usually use them for about a week before washing them.

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Never. Soak them in a bleach solution and then wash with hot water.

[Joinfortmill]

20. I do that too

[poli-junkie]

14. 2 minutes should kill the microbes

[MLAA]

15. Per this article, 2-4 minutes and make sure sponge is wet.

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/news/20070124/microwave-kills-germs-sponges

[a kennedy]

17. 👍🏻 I do actually do it for 2 minutes, and it's wet for sure.

[3catwoman3]

16. Never. I find sponges disgusting and...

…never use them.

[a kennedy]

19. What do you use then?? 🙂

[3catwoman3]

24. To clean food off dishes I just use my wet fingers...

…for easily removed debris. For stuck-on stuff, a hard, non-porous plastic scraper or a synthetic bristle brush.

Same brush to scrub the sink, or paper towels.

[bahboo]

21. wow....according to this thread, I'm lucky to be alive....

never thought of washing or nuking sponges. I'm thinking it's a practice I should start...

[a kennedy]

22. 🤣 😂 🤣

[Fla Dem]

26. Me either, made it this far with no ill effects.

I do throw the sponge / scrub pad in the dishwasher and it gets rinsed with soap and hot water several times a day.

[Kaleva]

23. microwave wet dishcloths and sponges for 2 minutes & boil the stainless scouring pad for 5 minutes

[Ohio Joe]

27. Depends on how hungry I am...

[wishstar]

28. Never, just use lots of soapy detergent and replace them if dirty/worn (cheap Dollar Tree sponges)

Dollar Tree has a multi-pack with a green scouring side while other is softer. I actually cut them in half with scissors as I like a smaller size. They never smell bad and throw in trash when they wear out or get soiled beyond redemption.

[lastlib]

29. Until it's tender.......

I never have any luck with it, tho'.