How can the amount of bacteria found on kitchen spongers and dishclothes be reduced?

Question

This is for a science project for school and I could use all the help I can get

Answer 1

The *best* way would be to change them more often, but that wouldn't make much of a science project.

What you could do is try a few different methods and then compare how well they worked. You could try the microwave, using bleach, leaving them hanging up to dry verses slopping them down in the bottom of the sink, using antibacterial soap vs regular dish soap....

You could assess how well they worked by smell and texture, or if you have access to growth media you could count colonies.

Answer 2

Washing the dishcloth in detergent will remove the bacteria and the food scraps they feed on. also drying the dishcloth between uses will reduce bacteria growth.
But don't worry too much unless the cloth is a bit stinky. There are bacteria everywhere and most are less harmful than the disinfectants & chemicals we use to kill them!

Answer 3

Bleach

Answer 4

Rinse them in a bleach solution after use and air dry,
Use them with antibacterial soaps and detergents.
Run boiling water from a tea kettle over them after use.
Hang them outside in full sun.
After rinsing in clean water, store them under a "black light" (UV)

Answer 5

Rinse them after use and place them in a dish that contains a dilution of bleach

Answer 6

My husband just read somewhere that if you put the kitchen sponges in the microwave for a few seconds it kills the germs.

Answer 7

rinse sponge or cloth in bleach and they also should be thrown out after a month or so.

Answer 8

Microwave them when they are WET !

they will ignite if they are dry

RB