TIL the hard way to keep my kitchen sponges from stinking up the place

I used to just toss my sponge in the sink after doing dishes and it'd get that nasty sour smell after like 3 days. My wife was about to throw it out every time. Then I saw a tip online to microwave it for 2 minutes after each use. I did that for about a week and man it made a huge difference. The sponge stays fresh for at least 2 weeks now. Has anyone else tried this or got a better way to keep sponges from getting gross?

2 comments

2 Comments

robinson.jake28d ago

I read somewhere that microwaving actually kills 99% of the bacteria so you're basically sanitizing it every time. The trick is to wet it first so it doesn't catch fire, learned that from a friend who learned it the hard way. I also started squeezing mine bone dry before microwaving and it stays good for like 3 weeks now.

david_hayes27d ago

Yeah, the "learned it the hard way" part got me. My buddy tried the microwave trick without wetting it first and his sponge actually started smoking. Set off the fire alarm in his apartment building and the whole place had to evacuate. He was so embarrassed standing outside in his bathrobe explaining to the landlord why there was a burning smell coming from his kitchen. I still give him a hard time about it every time we grill out.