Kitchen sponges: 5 remedies to sterilize them and free them from germs and bacteria

Kitchen sponges are essential for cleaning flatware, tables and shelves. Let’s see how to disinfect them with effective remedies.

How to clean and sterilize kitchen sponges

To clean and sterilize kitchen sponges there are several remedies that we can use to keep them clean and in perfect condition. Here are the most effective ones to use at least once a week or even several times in case they are greasy or have a bad smell.

1. With Marseille soap or lemon juice to remove grease and disinfect them
To remove the grease from the kitchen sponges, wash them with Marseille soap and warm water, leaving them in water for at least half an hour before rinsing. Alternatively you can use a remedy based on boiling water, salt and concentrated lemon juice; the lemon, in addition to disinfect the sponge, will remove all traces of dirt from it and will also help to whiten it making it more perfumed.

2. With vinegar to eliminate also bad smells
Vinegar is one of the most used remedies for cleaning the house, and it is also able to sterilize kitchen sponges freeing them from bad smells. For this remedy, just use boiling water, vinegar and a few drops of lemon juice. Immerse the sponges in the mixture for at least 2 hours. In case of persistent odors left the sponges to soak in vinegar and salt; your sponges will be perfectly clean and free from unpleasant odors.

3. With microwave oven to sterilize them
You can use the microwave oven to disinfect kitchen sponges completely. Here's how to proceed: rinse the sponge with cold water, to remove any dirt and food residues, and then squeeze it. Fill a glass or plastic bowl with water and lemon juice or, alternatively, one small glass of vinegar. Insert the kitchen sponge into the solution and turn the microwave on at maximum power for 5 minutes. Let everything cool and then remove the sponge, it will be sterilized in no time and ready for use.

4. With degreaser to annihilate all bacteria
Then there are methods that are not natural but still effective for sterilizing sponges. You can use a common degreaser; so wet the sponge with hot water, spray the degreaser on it so as to impregnate it well in all its sides, rub it and then rinse.

5. With bleach or hydrogen peroxide

Another method consists in leaving the kitchen sponges to soak for at least half an hour in water and bleach or in sterilized water and hydrogen peroxide; the proportion must be 30% of water and 70% of hydrogen peroxide, in this way the sponge will be perfectly clean and free of bacteria.