The dishwashing sponge of brands like Scotch Brite sponges a familiar piece of cleaning equipment that literally most of us use every day; the thing is that plastic sponges are dirtier than kitchen brushes and bamboo dishcloths – the latter is the cleaner way to wash dishes.
Admittedly, it is also crucial to recognize the fact that sponges of plastic basis are rather detrimental to the environment.
However, the ecological consequences of sponges are rarely addressed, while primarily people discuss how they can transport bacteria.
A single experiment revealed that these plastic sponges contain more bacteria than the kitchen brushes or bamboo dishcloths and customers demand to change the sponges more frequently.
Although bacteria are a genuine issue, this factor is greatly blown to cover up the environmental harm resulting from the use of additional plastic sponges and masks.
Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the goods in the main kitchen helper — the kitchen sponge.
What is the life of a Scotch Brite Sponge?
The longevity of this item differs depending on the frequency of utilization and frequency of cleaning.
That being the case, a kitchen sponge that you use each day, ought to be changed every 1-2 weeks.
However, it is recommended that the sponge be replaced after 6 months if it develops a smell or has some other problems before the 6-month period.
Signs that a sponge may be bad include the fact that the product emits an awful stench, the material of the sponge is covered in mold, the sponge has holes that are soft or sponge-like on the inside, the existence of discoloration as well as foul smell. And, finally, you have no option left to dumb down the sponge inside small garbage bags.
If a sponge stinks, looks worn out or has changed its color, then it is high time one got a new one.
Also, the water absorption capability of the sponge may decline at some point and thus this is a good sign that it has to be changed.
Sponge and cloth and when should they be cleaned and disinfected?
A kitchen sponge should be cleaned, as well as disinfected, after use of the sponge to clean the kitchen utensils.
In the case of washing the sponge, one needs to rinse it with warm water and squeeze out the water from it.
For the purpose of disinfecting the sponge, one needs to immerse it in the solution comprising 1 part bleach and 9 parts water for a least 5 minutes.
It is also important to wash the sponge with water before next use so that it may be clean.
Also, do not forget that cleanliness and disinfections can prevent viruses, but not bacteria.
How long do bacteria survive in a sponge?
It is possible, depending on the particular type of bacteria and the conditions in which the sponge is kept, for bacteria to survive on a sponge for several days.
Water and heat offer the appropriate conditions for bacteria to grow, and therefore sponges should be dried as much as is feasible between usage.
When do you dispose of a sponge?
A sponge should be discarded when it has become dysfunctional, it has changed color or developed a bad odor.
Also, when the sponge has been used to wipe the raw meat or other hazardous material it must be discarded at once.
How can sponges be maintained free of bacteria?
Sponges should not be left wet most of the time to avoid getting coated with bacteria thus the need to dry sponges as much as possible between uses.
Before washing the sponge, ensure that you wash it with warm water and ensure that you dry it before you use it the next time.
Dry the sponge and then put it into a dish rack or on a dry cloth to prevent the growth of germs.
Also, one should use as many sponges as possible so that the sponge in use should have a chance to dry up before the next use.
Conclusion
Cleaning kitchen utensils with the help of a high-quality Scotch Brite sponge is a useful thing to do. You should know the life of a single-use sponge and know how to clean it and disinfect the same. Also, be prepared to buy a bulk quantity of sponges from a reliable eCommerce platform like CognitionUAE.
