How can I make a sponge last longer?

Question

I'm so sick of going to do the dishes and smelling the nasty smell of bateria on my sponge that has only been used for a couple of days! I end up throwing it away and feel like I'm spending tons of money to buy new ones. Anyone know how to make them last for a while without the smell?

Answer 1

I fill a small pan, add a couple of drops of bleach, put the sponges in and bring to a boil. Then I let them air dry.

Answer 2

Both of those answers are excellent, I actually stopped using sponges and bought dish cloth and everyday use a new one and just throw them in the wash, I use the white ones so I can bleach them. I have seen way to many 20/20 shows on how the sponge is dirtier than the toilet. For dishes I use a dish brush that you can throw in the dishwasher to kill bacteria. I only use the cloth on the counters.
Or try soaking the sponge in bleach after you are finished with it and let it dry completly, have a couple sponges on hand.

Answer 3

Wash it out well with antibacterial dish soap after EVERY time you use it. If you're putting it away dirty, the germs grow. Not only does it smell bad, but it harbors bacteria which could make you sick. You don't want to spread that around your dishes and kitchen counters!

As already mentioned, when you run the dishwasher, you can throw in the sponge, too.

Answer 4

Wash them in the top rack of your dishwasher.

I've stopped using sponges. They harbor too much bacteria. I've switched to microfiber cloths for everything.'

Answer 5

microwave the sponge on high for 3 minutes let it cool...
run it through the washing machine with hot water & bleach ( with the whites)
Run it through the dishwasher.

Make sure that it is rung out completely after each use & store it on its side

Answer 6

Microwave your wet sponge for 60 seconds, after you have rinsed it each time you use it. It will kill all the bacteria.

Answer 7

BUY AND USE WASH RAGS FOR DISHES.FOR THE SCRUBBING USE A BALL TYPE THATS NOT SOLID LOOKS LIKE WIRE BUT ISNT.WASH THEM OUT AFTER USE.THE RAGS LAST FOREVER THE SCRUBBER LAST TILL IT GETS ALL WORN OUT.NEITHER ONE EVER SMELL.HARD TO KEEP SPONGE FROM HOLDING DIRT AND SMELL.

Answer 8

Get rid of the sponge!!!! Every time you use it you are just spreading bacteria ! Just use a new dishcloth everyday.

Answer 9

Zap it in the microwave few a few seconds. make sure the sponge is wet though!! or soak it in bleech for a few.

Answer 10

Put in the top rack of your dishwasher every time you run it.
Throw it in the washing machine if you don't have a dishwasher.