How many days should the washing up sponge be replaced? Remember this and you will avoid the attack of bacteria

Dish sponges made of foam and nylon quickly absorb moisture, which makes them thin and smell bad. Should they be replaced only then? Is it worth doing it earlier? It turns out that the first sign that proves the need to replace the sponge is when it stops giving off all the water.

How many days should dishwashing sponges be replaced?

We can often hear the opinion that the kitchen may contain more bacteria than the toilet. Therefore, the dishwashing sponge should be changed at least once a week. Why is it so important? Bacteria found on this type of sponge penetrate the dishes, and from the dishes onto the food. This, in turn, can lead to, for example, intestinal diseases.

Habitat of bacteria

Sylwia Panek, known in social media as Mama Chemist, recently commented on this topic. In her post, she reminded her followers that kitchen sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria.

– They stay moist for a long time and food residues remain on them. These are perfect conditions. And it’s even worse if we leave them in water or leftover food in the sink,” she wrote. – Scientists suggest that it is these sponges that we should be afraid of more than toilet seats, and we should replace them at least ONCE A WEEK! she added.

Mom, a chemist, also referred to the issue of keeping sponges clean. – I know that some people wash such sponges or put them in the dishwasher, but this, as in the case of washing synthetic clothes, is associated with the release of microplastics into the sewage. At the same time, it is also a problem from a microbiological point of view, because the surviving bad bacteria will quickly multiply again and colonize your sponge – she noted.

At the end of her post, Panek advised observers to buy sponges made of natural materials. These types of products will decompose into simple organic compounds after being thrown into the trash.