Disinfecting Sponges and Scrubbing Pads

Did you know that there are more germs in your kitchen than there are in the bathroom! Gross!
Even the cleanest looking kitchen can be crawling with "nasties" like E. coli and salmonella. It's easy to spread these pathogens without even knowing it. Because sponges and dishcloths contain the two essential elements to sustain microbial life--water and nutrients--they're ideal habitats for viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. These pathogens are then unwittingly spread by using the same sponges and dishcloths to wipe down counters, stove tops, tabletops and other surfaces.

Researchers from the University of Florida in Gainesville conducted a novel experiment, the results of which were published in a 2006 issue of the Journal of Environmental Health. The researchers soaked sponges and scrubbing pads in a raw waste water containing a witch's brew of viruses, fecal bacteria, protozoan parasites and bacterial spores, including one especially hard to kill spore: Bacillus cereus. Then they tested the ability of the common microwave oven to destroy these pathogens.

The results were conclusive: Just two minutes of microwaving damp sponges and scrubbing pads at full power was enough to inactivate more than 99 percent of the pathogens. But 4 minutes of microwaving was required to inactivate Bacilus cereus, which is similar to the protozoan cysts and oochsts the cause giardiasis, a common gastrointestinal infection.

"People often put their sponges and scrubbers in the dishwasher, but if they really want to decontaminate them and not just clean them, they should use the microwave," says lead researcher Gabriel Bitton, Ph.D. "The microwave is a very powerful and inexpensive tool for sterilization." He recommends microwaving sponges according to how often you cook, with every other day being a good rule of thumb.

ATTENTION: The sponges must be completely WET when placing in the microwave. Placing a dry sponge or scrubbie in your microwave will cause them to catch fire!!! Two minutes of microwaving is sufficient for most sterilization. Sponges should have no metallic content.

Adapted from 4 Weeks to Maximum Immunity, by the editors of Prevention (Rodale, 2008)