How do I clean my sponge out...(see details)?

Question

I just bought a new sponge last week and it smells funky already. I didn't leave it in water or anything (it was on the back of my sink). I'm sick of having to buy new sponges all the time. Any ideas on how to clean it?

Answer 1

clean it with a little bit of bleach.

Answer 2

It should be. You are supposed to change out your sponges every week. I learned this on a show, called Dr. Know, because the sponge, absorbs more bacteria, then anything else in your house. You should buy the sponges that come in the pack of like 10 and buy a couple of them, and pack them in something. If you want to be sanitary, you need to buy a new sponge, it's just healthy! Sry to tell you, but you need to buy more sponges. When you clean it with ammonia and/or bleach, that will be more chemicals being trapped in your sponge. Sponges are for absorbing, and just because you rinse it out, what you may seem is clean, it could still have the harmful chemicals in it, that could make you really sick, and send you to the hospital for weeks.

Answer 3

JuanCarlosNoMore is correct! I get the sponge really wet, put it in a coffee mug or on a small plate (microwave safe) and stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Be very careful when taking it out! It's going to be scorching hot! Let it set for about 10 minutes to cool...or run cold water over it while it's still on the plate. Pour some anti-bacterial soap on it and you're on your way!! Your sponges will last 10 times as long and the microwave kills all bacteria...just be sure to wet the sponge pretty well. Hope this helps! :) ~Kendra Leigh

Answer 4

Soak it in a diluted bleach solution. Use 1 ounce of bleach in a gallon of water. Bleach is very strong and will kill the bacteria that's making your sponge smell. I like to wash my dishes in a gentle bleach solution, too. I know I'm killin' billions of germs-- it does my heart good.

When you finish your dishes, squeeze your sponge out really good and set it where it can drain and dry completely until it gets hard.

Answer 5

You should not keep a sponge for more than a week. Use it only on dishes or only on counters. Bacteria grows in sponges. You can soak it in bleach. Bleach how ever breaks down clothes so I am sure it will break your sponge down in time too.

Kim

Answer 6

i think your way of changing the sponge regularly is the most sanitary way. they aren't expensive in general. clean out the sponge after every wash, and every 2 weeks to soak and wash it out with bleach and water, like you would your hand towels. throw the sponge away after 2 or 3 months.

Answer 7

Soak it in rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol will kill the germs but leave the color and structure of the sponge intact. Bleach will fade and possibly weaken the sponge.

Answer 8

Put some antibacterial soap on it, dampen it with water, and put it in the microwave on high for a minute. if that doesn't get rid of the odor, then put it in the top rack of your dishwasher and run it with the rest of your dishes. If THAT doesn't work, it's time to get a new sponge...sorry.

Answer 9

Thanks to a tip I got from another poster, I got an idea for dealing with that and tried it out.

Try boiling the sponge for about 20 minutes with a little lysol or perhaps dish soap. I found after I did, there was no more odor.

Answer 10

I throw dirty sponges in with my dirty clothes ,in the washing machine ! ! DON'T dry them !! The sponges come out clean and smelling fresh!! I Hope this works for you!!

Answer 11

If you can wash with your white towels or something. I would throw it away. Sponges collect a lot of germs and if you clean after chicken or pork messes imagine what kind of poisons and germs your spreading around INNOCENTLY.