How can I keep my dish sponge from smelling like mildew after a day or two?
Question:Help! After only a day or two it stinks like mildew! I squeeze all the water out of it after I'm done with it and put it up on the top of the sink.
I've tried various things: squeezing fresh lemon on it and then nuking it for like 10 seconds, tried putting bleach on it, tried just keeping antibacterial dish soap in it. nothing works!
What has worked for you?
Answers:
1) dont lay it on top of your sink. It has to be on its side. this allows the water to drain out better. laying it flat traps all of the water in it.
2) even better, get one of those little tray that you put soap bars on (you know, the ones that have little ridges, to let the wate drain).
3) Place it in the silverware holder of your dishwasher (if you have one), Run it every other wash. The high temp and strong bleach in cascade clean it very well.
4) rotate sponges. get two. Use one one day, use the other the next. That gives them time to dry out.
soak it in sink or small basin with vinegar for about 15 min.
Lysol when mixed as directed will kill most bacteria, it also has a powerful smell. So does a 1/4th to 1 bleach solution, less smell. Try mixing baking soda 1Tsp to 1C water and let it soak. Personally, for sanitary reasons, I wouldn't use a sponge for dishes just for the reason you are asking about. Throw away clothes are much cleaner.
my teacher told us that Dish sponge has the most germs in it more then probably bathroom.. So I put mine in the microwave for 2 min..
We have the same problem at work.just nasty. Funny, it doesn't happen at home. I have to wonder if it is something in the water. I switched to handi wipes.
Sponges carry more germs than you can believe. I get mine damp and stick in the microwave for 1 minute.
This is a common drawback with sponges. Mildew smells usually indicates bacteria. That's why sponges are disposable. If you use bleach in your dish water they will last longer, but if you are like many today that merely apply soap and a little water to wipe things down & don't actually run a sink full of dishwater with soap & bleach, this problem will continue to grow as will the bacteria. I usually have a couple clothes pins hanging from the shelves above my sink to hang my scratch pads & dishrags from to let them dry between uses. This will extend the life of them. Dishrags will last longer as well since they can be washed in bleach & hot water & dried which will kill mold & bacteria for awhile longer. They also need replaced after awhile as well since they come in contact with so much food.
Once the musty smell is there you are just spreading around past weeks of food & bacteria when you wipe things down. Just replace it every couple weeks.
Run it through the machine with your wash. The sponge won't last as long, but it will be cleaner! If you have a dishwasher, that will be a little easier on the sponge.
I run mine through the dishwasher each day. Then I twist it inside my dish towel to dry the sponge. I store it in a wire mess stand for sponges designed to allow air to dry it quickly.
don't just put bleach on it, but soak it in a bleach & water solution overnight. I put my sponge in a small glass bowl filled with 1/4 parts bleach 3/4 parts water. I keep the bowl in the sink. Bleach kills mold & mildew. If your sponge is still stinky, I think your house is too humid, and your mildew problems are beyond your sponge.
Try this: rinsing it under the coldest water you can get. and then squeeze as much water out as possible. and get a soap dish that is raised for circulation and place it there to dry.
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