Cleaning with Sponges

Did you know that your kitchen can harbor more bacteria than a public restroom?!  The food and debris in our drains, garbage disposals, sinks and counters contribute to the growth of bacteria that can make us ill.  Practicing proper cleansing techniques can help to keep your kitchen sparkling clean and keep your family healthy too. 

If you use washcloths for cleaning counters, sinks or dishes we recommend replacing these daily.  Be sure to put them through the hottest cycle in the washing machine.  Avoid using bleach and instead add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the wash to help beat the germs.

Sponges are another story!  We don't typically pull out a brand new sponge every day because of Cost & Waste.  Sponges are meant to be reused when cleaning our kitchens.  The trouble we run into involves the one million bacteria that grow in our sponges in just a matter of a couple of days which we end up spreading all over our kitchens.  Your household sponge should be cleaned daily.  Here is what to do: put your sponge in a shallow dish with enough water to cover it, then add 1/8 cup of vinegar and let the sponge sit overnight.  This will kill the bacteria to prevent growth.  Make this simple process a habit when you are done cleaning the kitchen each night.  Click here for more tips on taking care of your cleaning sponge from www. kidseatright.org