How to store a dish sponge to prevent it from smelling: useful tips

Sometimes, you walk into the kitchen, and everything seems to be shiny, but you still sense an unpleasant, musty smell. This smell can be caused by a common household item: the dishwashing sponge. When it comes into contact with food debris and warm water, it becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, including pathogens, which can be the source of the unpleasant odor.

Is there a way to prevent this? As OBOZREVATEL has discovered, there is, and it's quite simple. You need to provide the sponge with proper care and ensure it has free access to air so that it can dry effectively.

Where to store sponges properly

Typically, sponges are stored in the same place where they are used – near the kitchen sink. However, this location can create an environment for bacterial growth. To store your sponge correctly, wring it out well after use. The less moisture that remains in its porous structure, the better.

Simply placing the sponge on the countertop or the bottom of the sink is a mistake because it won't dry well. Also, avoid storing it in cabinets or drawers, as air circulation will be limited there.

The ideal option for a sponge is a hanging basket that can be mounted on a wall, an open shelf, or on the edge of a sink. This way, the sponge can dry evenly from all sides and won't become a breeding ground for germs.

How to disinfect kitchen sponges

To prevent your sponge from developing an unpleasant odor, you should disinfect it from time to time. You can do this by using a chlorine bleach solution. Dissolve a quarter cup of bleach in a liter of water and soak the sponge for 5 minutes. Afterward, wring it out and hang it up to dry, preferably in an open, sunny area where ultraviolet light can provide additional disinfection.

Another method to kill germs on sponges is to soak them in boiling water for 5 minutes, as boiling water can also eliminate many bacteria.

An effective way to disinfect sponges is to heat them in the microwave. Simply place a wet sponge in the microwave's chamber and turn it on for 1-2 minutes at maximum power. You should treat the sponge in this way 2-3 times a week.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told you how to clean the dirtiest things in the kitchen.

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