Do you remember the last time you changed your kitchen sponge?
Most women, if not all, continue to use sponges for several weeks until they break down and accumulate fat, and they do not remember the last time they replaced them with a new one.
According to microbiologists and scientific studies, this practice is a common mistake. Kitchen sponges contain millions of bacteria, more than the toilet seat itself. So when should you replace them? And are there healthier alternatives to traditional sponges?
A safe place for bacteria to live
A German study conducted by researchers from Furtwangen University found that used kitchen sponges contain a greater diversity of bacteria than previously thought, with each cubic centimeter (one inch) containing approximately 54 billion bacteria.
According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2017, many types of bacteria are harmless, but some disease-causing species have been found in sponges, such as Moraxella, Salmonella, Chryseobacterium, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
The study emphasized the need to change the sponge every week, as pathogenic bacteria and viruses that cause infection are more likely to survive even with frequent cleaning of the sponge.
Dr. Markus Eggert, a professor of microbiology at Furtwangen University in Germany and author of the study, explains that there are 362 different types of bacteria living within the porous crevices of a kitchen sponge, which is a safe haven for microbial life. He pointed out that there are approximately 5.5 trillion bacteria per sponge used, according to the website "The Healthy " .
Dr. Philip Delekta, a professor of microbiology at the University of Michigan, added that these bacteria don't just live inside the cracks of sponges, but also multiply and spread to all kitchen surfaces and dishes that we think we've cleaned.
According to Dr. Delicta, "Kitchen sponges should not be used to absorb liquids and blood from cutting meat and poultry on cutting boards, as this increases the growth of bacteria," suggesting instead the use of antibacterial paper towels and disinfectant sprays to clean kitchen surfaces.
Dr. Jennifer J. Stagg, director of the Center for Holistic Health in Avon, Connecticut, recommends replacing traditional kitchen sponges with silicone sponges or scrub brushes, as they are less porous and dry quickly, thus preventing the moist environment that encourages bacterial growth. She also noted the importance of washing dishcloths in the washing machine at a high temperature.
Guillain-Barré syndrome
In 2012, a study conducted at the University of Arizona in the United States was published, in which researchers concluded that dish sponges carry 200,000 times more bacteria than toilet seats, and they found 10 million bacteria per square inch, according to the British newspaper, the Daily Mail .
The study noted that the most harmful type of bacteria found on kitchen sponges is Campylobacter, which causes Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disease that leads to muscle weakness and affects nerve roots, causing temporary paralysis. According to the study, patients recover from the infection after several weeks, months, or even years.
In a laboratory study conducted by the National Institutes of Health and Safety (NSF International), researchers tracked the concentration of germs and bacteria in the home. It was found that 77% of dish sponges contained coliform bacteria, which cause typhoid fever and gastritis, while the percentage of these bacteria did not exceed 5% in the toilets of study participants.
Based on another scientific study published in the Journal of Environmental Health in 2012, which tested 26 everyday household items from 22 different families to determine the bacteria levels in each item, the dish sponge was the most contaminated item in the home, followed by the toothbrush. The study identified coliforms as the most prevalent type of bacteria in the kitchen.
How to clean a kitchen sponge
To maintain the general health of your family and avoid the risk of bacteria spreading on your dish sponge and kitchen surfaces, Martha Stewart offers a set of tips:
- Make sure to remove any food residue from the sponge after each use, clean it with dishwashing liquid, and squeeze it well.
- Soak the sponge in a disinfecting solution made from 1 quart of warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of concentrated bleach, or soak it in 1 cup of vinegar for 5 minutes.
- Clean sponges in the dishwasher at 60°C (140°F) using a detergent containing strong bleach.
- Experts recommend sterilizing a sponge (provided it is well-wet) in the microwave for two minutes, as heat and radiation affect the vital processes of bacteria. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that this method may reduce bacteria, but it is not sufficient to ensure that cross-contamination is prevented.
- Use different sponges for specific tasks to prevent the spread of contamination and bacteria.
- Reuse your kitchen sponge for dirtier purposes, such as cleaning bathrooms or your car.
- Discard your sponge immediately if it develops an unpleasant odor. Experts recommend replacing it every two weeks at most. A 2021 study by the Norwegian Food Research Center recommended using a dishwashing brush as a safer alternative to sponges. This is because kitchen brushes dry quickly after each use and do not retain water, reducing the chance of them harboring bacteria compared to sponges, which never dry out despite repeated daily use.
Environmentally friendly alternatives
Sustainable living experts point to alternatives to traditional sponges made from natural materials that are completely biodegradable and reduce the spread of bacteria.
Nutritionist Christina Todini offers a range of sustainable alternatives :
Natural sponges: Made from wood pulp, they have small cracks and holes that allow them to absorb liquids such as water and soap.
Cloth sponge: Made from cotton and natural fabrics, it is easy to clean and lasts a long time, unlike traditional sponges that need to be replaced within weeks.
Wooden dish brush: It has bristles made from natural materials from coconut trees and bamboo.
Cloth: You can recycle the cotton you have at home and use it to clean dishes, which is an environmentally friendly alternative, even if it seems traditional.
It's worth noting that there's a global trend toward using loofahs made from a gourd plant. They may look rough, but with the addition of water and dish soap, they become soft and suitable for kitchen purposes.
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