I’ve always had mixed emotions about cleaning and re-using sponges… because they honestly kind of gross me out!
However, since I’m always looking for ways to save a little cash (and help the environment) I figured I should try reusing them… but only if I felt like I could really clean and sanitize them.
So I did a little research, and came up with three simple ways to clean and sanitize the different sponges you might have around your house.
1. Wash them with your laundry.
Throw your sponges in with your other towels and rags and wash with hot water (and a little bleach). They might be kind of hard when you take them out — especially if you dry them in the drier — but they should be clean.
Just a note, if you’re planning to wash loofas, you might want to put them in a mesh garment bag first so they don’t catch on anything else you’re washing.
2. Clean them in the dishwasher.
This is the method I use most often, just because I think about it when I’m in the middle of loading up the dishwasher. However, I did learn the hard way that if you want to wash one of those scrubbers with an attached soap dispenser, you need to remove the soap dispenser first 🙂
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, here’s a huge list other items you can wash in your dishwasher!
3. Sanitize them in the microwave.
Get your sponge or loofa wet and then microwave on high for 2 minutes. You obviously can’t do this with any sponge that contains metal (like our bottle brush cleaner) but it’s a really quick way to sanitize other sponges.
Also, after the sponge is sanitized, there will be quite a bit of steam and moisture in your microwave… which provides the perfect opportunity to remove some of that stuck-on gunk and debris!
Of course, it’s still easier just to use a new sponge… and eventually, you’ll have to replace your sponges as they can’t be washed indefinitely. But at least you know you CAN clean them!
Lisa B. says
I micriwave them throughout the day. I soak them in 1 part bleach to 5 parts hot water every evening, then I wring them out and let them air dry. When they get too ragged, I set them aside for use in the bottom of my patio planters. I use them to cover the drainage hole. At the end of the season they go into the trash.
Andrea says
great tips — thanks Lisa!
Mia Kay says
I microwave my bottle brush. Your microwave interior is metal, but it’s painted – just like the wire parts of the brush are coated. It’s all good! Just need to add a cup of water…
A quick little google search in the metal in the microwave topic will is quite enlightening.
L.L. says
Does boiling them sanitize them?
Thrifty Mom in Boise says
I don’t use sponges but I do use those green Scotch-Brite scour pads. I run those through the dishwasher. I also put my dish drainer in there when it needs a good scrubbing.
Lee Cockrum says
I have always thought sponges were gross, so don’t use them! I do use kitchen brushes, and I run them through the dishwasher.
Beth says
Don’t us them or buy them. Just use rags. No money wasted and no gross-ness!
Stacey says
I’m in the camp of “sponges just really gross me out!” 🙂 I haven’t found anything a sponge does better than a rag or dish cloth, so I just don’t buy or use them!
sarah says
I must buy the cheapest sponges in bulk and have found that using the dishwasher for sanitizing them seems to be hard on them and they disintergrate faster so i pop them in the microwave with a spritz of vinegar. If they are smelling funky I’ll drop a drop of vanilla essence on them.
In an effort to cut back on expensive paper towels I’m using those old towels that were sitting in the basement waiting for their new call of duty. They have all been cut into smaller sizes, I throw them in the machine on a super hot wash and weather permitting out on the line they go.
Heart and Haven says
I wash my pot scrubber in the dishwasher about once a week or so. Other than that, I don’t use sponges (I think they’re kinda gross). I use micro-fiber washcloths for cleaning that I can wash much more often.
Beth A says
I wash sponges in the dishwasher, but don’t like that they sit in there wet if I don’t empty the dishwasher right away. I’m always afraid they are breeding mold sitting in there! I like the microwave idea – kind of like killing two birds with one stone – clean the sponge, then clean the microwave! Thanks for the tip!
Nicole says
Thank you for the great tips! I’m trying to be a little {okay, a lot} more kind to the environment since I found out about cloth diapers *after* my little boy was done with diapers all together. I have polluted way too much. Time to make up for it! Thank you for the tips! I am book marking this page right now! ^_^
Maria says
Did you know you can grow loofahs? I think it’s some kind of gourd. Grow them, dry them, use them, and compost them when you’re tired of them.
Cheryl says
I do both depending on what I have been washing. I usually will take and put them in the dishwasher when I do a load of dishes every few days or so.