How you use your favorite sponge will determine its lifespan.
Learning how to use it right is key to keeping your kitchen safe.
Luckily, a delicious dinner is worth the effort.
Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.
There are, of course, workarounds to lighten the load, such asusing foil to line pans.
We recommend changing sponges every three weeks to a month, at the minimum, for usage.
Because your sponges can harbor bacteria that includeCampylobacter, Salmonella, Staphylococcus,E.
coliandListeria.If that sounds unappetizing, it is.
Each of those can cause mild to serious gastrointestinal infections or possibly irritate your skin.
Sponge longevity depends on how the sponge is used, the lab team told us.
In general, we would expect a sponge to last about one month.
If it looks discernibly dirty, thats another obvious clue that its time to move on.
Thats a task for a hardier scrubbing pad.
give a shot to avoid using them for tasks that you know will infect them with harmful bacteria.
After all, you dont want to limit yourself to a single day of use.
For the sake of longevity, the best way to use your sponges is sparingly.
If you treat your sponges right, they should last for around a month.
MSU Extension Safe Food & Water.Keep your sponges and dish cloths bacteria-free.
2021;337. doi: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2020.108928
