FOR SPONGE USERS This article is from the WebMD News Archive Microwave Kills Germs in Sponges Microwave Sterilizes Sponges continued... The sponges and scrubbing pads were soaked in wastewater containing a dangerous mix of fecal bacteria, E. coli, and bacterial spores. Bacterial spores are more difficult to kill. The results showed that two minutes in the microwave at full power killed or inactivated more than 99% of all the living germs and the bacterial spores in the sponges and pads, including E. coli. After an additional two minutes -- a total of four -- none of the bacterial spores survived. Before you zap your sponges in the microwave, researchers offer the following advice: Microwave only sponges or plastic scrubbers that do not contain steel or other metals. Make sure the sponge or scrubber is wet, not dry. Two minutes should be enough to kill most disease-causing germs. Be careful in removing the sponge from the microwave because it will be hot and should not be handled immediately after zapping. Bitton recommends that people microwave their sponges according to how often they cook, with every other day being a good rule of thumb.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 17:23:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015