The dirtiest household item is often a kitchen sponge, with more than 75% of all sponges containing potential fecal bacteria, research has shown. Kitchen sponges have been found to be more than 200,000 times dirtier than toilet seats. The average kitchen sponge is thought to contain more than 10 million bacteria per square inch (6.45 square cm), which is typically the result of its moisture levels and small crevices that allow germs to breed. The risk of spreading germs with a kitchen sponge can be reduced by microwaving it to kill bacteria.
More about dirty household items:
- A toothbrush holder is often the dirtiest household item in the bathroom, with more than 25% of all toothbrush holders containing bacteria.
- Coliform, a bacteria family that contains E. coli and Salmonella can be been found in more than 75% of all households, research shows.
- The personal items that contain the most bacteria include money, with almost 10% containing fecal bacteria, followed by cell phones, remote controls, wallets and keys.
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Discussion Comments
Why would a sponge soaked with soap, cleaning cooked foods and being rinsed in hot water constantly contain so much bacteria? It does not add up, so I say, no worries!
Keep some soapy water with a teaspoon of bleach in a bowl, keep your sponge(s) in it, and use the sponge directly from the bowl into or onto the area you want to clean. Rinse out the sponge, and return it to the bleach bowl.
That's a ridiculous figures. My kitchen sponge would never hold that level of bacteria. I wash it thoroughly and squeeze it dry every time. Something that gets washed and squeezed out that many times cannot contain that level of bacteria. I challenge your statement. Who did the research? How was the evidence collected? From the slums? I don't know.
Without a kitchen sponge, my kitchen would not be sparkling as it always is -- or mostly is.
I don't believe that my sponge is 200,000 times dirtier than my toilet seat. I clean my toilet seat a few times a week with Lysol tub and tile cleaner.
What do I use anyway, if not a sponge. I am 56 years old and lived on my own since my discharge from the military.
If someone has any suggestions, please post.
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