Dirty sponge, don’t throw it away: if you do, it will be as good as new | March 2, 2025

When using a sponge for dishes, you should avoid starting a contamination process in the kitchen, a place where food is prepared and consumed.

Generally, most people who dedicate themselves to cleaning their dish sponge believe that they have accomplished this task after washing it with water and detergent.

However, neither water nor soap can kill bacteria, which in this case are only temporarily eliminated.

Dish sponge: beware of bad smells
According to some scientific studies, where analyses were carried out in the laboratory, it was discovered that in different parts of the sponges used for cleaning in the kitchen, the same microbes present in feces are present both inside and on the surface.

In particular, you may notice a bad smell emanating from the sponges, which is a warning sign of the possible presence of harmful microorganisms (in the most serious cases we are talking about Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella).

These are pathogens that could cause infections, especially in weakened or immunosuppressed people .

However, these bacterial loads can be neutralized through proper hygiene, as well as through a good immune response from the body.

Although it may seem paradoxical, the very utensils used for hygiene and cleaning work surfaces, as well as dishes, can cause health problems.

Sponges can become an ideal breeding ground for germs and bacteria , due to the moisture and food residue present on them.

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