I’ve heard of microwaving sponges before this and I try to do it at least once a week.

You can micro lots of things to sanitize. Although I generally toss toothbrushes after a month, my hubby gets attached to his denture toothbrush so whenever I replace the regulars, I zap the denture brush. Also, if you zap panties it helps prevent yeast infections from recurring – good news for those who don’t tolerate the remedy creams well.

It always says the server is not responding when I try to log my progress…any ideas why?

Ihave been putting my kitchen sponges and rags through a dishwasher cycle weekly for several years now. I will keep it up.

I don’t use sponges, but I do use dish clothes. I buy a bunch when on sale, and just change them daily. My family isn’t grossed by out using a wet/damp sponge or cloth and quit arguing about dishes so much when they get to use a clean cloth each day.

I always use the dishwasher for sanitizing sponges. Putting a dirty sponge in a microwave oven doesn’t appeal to me because that’s where I put food.

I’ve been throwing sponges in the dishwasher for a few years now. I find its an easier way to sanitize.

I say opt for the dishwasher if it’s an option…the microwave can make a bit of a stink.

I also will throw it in the dishwaher,but makesure you take it out and wring out the excess water when cycle is done.

Hi,

It seems people are posting comments without reading WHY they should microwave. Many talk about using bleach.

“Soaking sponges in bleach, lemon juice, and deionized water only killed 37 to 87% of bacteria, whereas microwaving and dishwashing methods killed over 99%.”

Bleach is bad for your skin, bad for the environment (read: you and your children). Using anything DISPOSABLE is bad for the environment. That’s the whole point of using sponges, and then microwaving them to keep them safe and useful.

Replacing your sponges every 2 weeks is just wasteful. Microwave your sponges and you don’t have to replace them until they wear out.

Being “green” should not be a trend to roll your eyes at, it’s how things should be.

My family has been microwaving our sponges for the last few years. It’s a cheap and easy way to sanitize them!

I never considered sanitizing my sponges. I have stopped using them because they seemed so unsanitary. Just because it’s rinsed in bleach doesn’t make it safe. But with this information I began using sponges again and the microwave seems to be a great way to keep them clean. Thanks for the suggestion.

As many show I also microwave my sponges and have done so for years. Now if I could just get the rest of the family to think of it when I am traveling for work. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve come home after a week or so and see the sponge looking bad.

I dont own a dishwasher nor a microwave…so I throw mine in the wash cycle with my kitchen rags :)

This is an easy one since I’m already in the habit of keeping sponges sanitary and frequently using paper towels or just pitching a sponge that encountered a really gross job. EVERYBODY should be in the habit of this.

I microwave my sponges and my dishcloths. I also run sponges thru the dishwasher about once a week.

Whenever I run he dishwasher, I throw my sponges in there. But when the sponges get to used looking I replace them. I guess about every two months. But because I go through so many sponges, Sometimes I take a rag and some dish detergent and scrub my counters because then I am not throwing things in the trash!!

I also use the sponge in the dishwasher,but I change my sponge out every 2 wks and then use then for cleaning cupboards and floor.

i put mine in laundry with towels. it works great it.

I simply rinse mine in white vinegar. It kills all the germs and any lingering odors.

I use my microwave as I don’t own a dishwasher…. works fabulously!

I heard about the microwave solution on the news..I will give the dishwasher a try..

I try to remember to run my sponges and scrubs in the dishwasher every other cycle or so.

I love an easy challenge!

We’ve been throwing our sponges and scrubbers in the dishwasher for years. Works great.

Because of the pathogens, yeasts and molds…....... we just consider sponges as a disposal cleaning item. Sponges are cheap and we just do not take a chance on risking an illness.

i have been doing this for years!

I was going to stop using sponges until I saw this.

I don’t like the idea of putting a smelly sponge in my microwave. I prefer to run some water in the sink and ad a capful of bleach, drop in the sponge and sanitize my sponge and clean the sink at the same time.

I’ve never heard of this sanitizing practice. It makes perfect sense, I’ll give it a shot. Does it work for dish cloths and/or non-metallic scrubbers as well?

I quit using sponges years ago and started using paper towels or pre-moistened cleaning cloths, though I have heard about microwaving your sponges. I use a dishrag for washing the dishes and I put a little bleach in the wash water for sanitizing, rinse very well of course.

I’ve been microwaving my sponges for about 3 years now and it really works, especially when I’ve got four kids to keep healthy.