It has recently been tested that your microwave can be a powerful weapon in protecting you and your family against disease-causing germs. Zapping sponges and plastic scrubbing pads in the microwave can kill bacteria, such as E. coli, that cause illnesses. Many people often put their sponges and scrubbers in the dishwasher, but if they want to decontaminate them and not just clean them, they should use the microwave.

Germs from uncooked eggs, meat, and vegetables often get into countertops and cleaning tools. The dampness of sponges, dishcloths, and scrubbers provide an ideal breeding ground for the bugs. Two minutes in the microwave at full power kill or inactivate more than 99% of all living germs. If you zap your sponges for four minutes, none of the bacterial spores will survive.

Before you zap your sponges, follow this advice:

• Only microwave sponges and scrubbers that do not contain steel or any other metals.
• Make sure your sponge is wet.
• Two minutes should be enough to kill most disease-causing germs.
• Be careful in removing the sponge from the microwave.

It is recommended to microwave your sponge according to how often you cook, but every other day is a good rule of thumb.

Source: “Microwave Kills Germs in Sponges”, WebMD.