How to Clean and Sterilize Sponges

Sponges have been my nemesis for years.

I loath using them, because they've always seemed so gross and impossible to truly clean.

However, they're one of those unfortunate necessities in most households, especially the kitchen. And even though I would love to throw them away after every use, not only is that impractical, but it's damaging to the environment. So, despite my disdain, I've learned to accept them.

Being the clean freak that I am, though, I've done my share of research in how to make the grotesque cleaning utensils work at their absolute best, and cleanest.

For years, I was one of those who always cleaned her sponges in the dishwasher, becuase that's how I had always been told to properly sterilize them. I would do that, then run them through the dryer to make them "extra clean". However, new research has come out revealing that the best way to kill 99% of germs found on sponges is to simply microwave them for 2 minutes. Talk about a time saver from my original santizing method!

So, here's how I clean and sterilize sponges:

• First, I soak them in a solution of 3 tablespoons of white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and a few teaspoons of citrus juice (lemon, lime, or orange are my go-to's). I let the sponges soak for 5 minutes. You need your sponges completely saturated before microwaving them. If you try to nuke them while dry, they could catch fire. Alternatively, you could avoid soaking them in vinegar and citrus, but I've found that the sponges smell rather musty when I've only soaked them in water. 
• Next, I microwave them, individually, for 2 minutes each. Most studies have shown that 30 seconds is all you need to kill the majority of household germs. However, E. Coli is persistent and needs a full 2 minutes before you eliminate it. Be careful when you open the microwave door. A burst of steam will come out. Open the door and allow the sponge to sit for a minute or two before removing. You might also use tongs when removing the sponge, as it may be a bit hot. 
• After that, I let the sponges sit on my kitchen counter, in the window, to get a littls sun and help dry them further. 

And that's it! It's really that simple.

A question that people commonly ask about sponges is, how often should I use a sponge? I only use mine for the day. When I'm cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, I toss that day's sponge, after thoroughly ringing it out, in a plastic basket under my sink. I have enough sponges to last for an entire week. Once a week, I will clean and sterilize all the sponges in the basket. While I'm cleaning the sponges, I spray down the basket with white vinegar and let it sit out in the sun for a few hours to allow it to sterilize, too. After the sponges have all been washed and thoroughly dried, I store them in a recycled coffee container under the sink that's labeled for sponges.

How often should I replace my sponges is another question that people often ask. I'm the world's worst with this, because I tend to just toss them once they become ratty and worn looking. With that, I would say I replace mine probably every 2-3 months.

Sterilizing bath sponges is a little different than kitchen sponges. For those, I clean them once a week. First, I soak them in white vinegar for 2-3 hours. This helps to kill any mold or bacteria that may be growing on them. Then, I run them through the laundry with my bath towels. However, I don't run them through the dryer. I hang them up in a clean, well ventilated area, and allow them to air dryy. When they're in use, I hang them from hooks that I have installed in the shower. I never store them in a shower caddy or leave them resting on the tub, as that just allows for an open breeding ground for bacteria. I usually replace them every 3 months to ensure that I'm not exposing myself or my family to mold or harmful bacteria.

How often do you clean and replace your sponges?