Did you know that your kitchen sponge is the dirtiest part of the home, with possibly up to 10 billion bacteria colonies per square centimeter (1)? If this disgusting fact intrigues you, you’ve come to the right place.
We’re here to share shocking kitchen sponge facts and statistics. Not only will they have you running for another cleaning tool — it’ll give you more knowledge for your next trivia night!
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Here are 10 kitchen sponge facts, plus tips for how to have a cleaner, less bacteria-infested home.
Interesting Facts About Sponges
The kitchen sponge is a germ zone. We know that for sure. But there are more fun facts to be discovered about this standard cleaning tool — let’s dive in.
It Hosts 362 Different Species of Bacteria
Not only are there bacteria all over the sponge, but there are hundreds of different species. The kitchen sponge is dense with germs.
There are lots of little critters living inside your kitchen sponge. In fact, there aren’t many other places on Earth where you’ll find nearly as many bacteria in one space.
Your Sponge Needs Replacing
We’re not saying don’t use a kitchen sponge — you still can. But make sure you clean it every few days.
To clean it, you can dampen it and pop it in the microwave for a minute.
You should also replace it every couple of weeks. Unfortunately, that means it’s not the most eco-friendly cleaning product on the market.
Ocean Sponges Can Clean
Have you ever wondered where the term sponge comes from? Well, it actually comes from ocean sponges! With their coarse texture, these aquatic animals have been used as a cleaning tool for centuries.
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Nowadays, we don’t typically use sea sponges for cleaning. Instead, kitchen sponges are made from synthetic materials like polyester or vegetal cellulose.
Who Invented the Sponge?
The common kitchen sponge was invented by a German scientist named Otto Bayer. In 1937, he accidentally invented the material used for kitchen sponges.
He was testing out different ways to use polyurethane foam when he made some that had too many air bubbles. It turned out to be great at washing dishes, and over time, the idea was perfected into what we use today.
Antibacterial Sponges are Toxic
If you’ve been tempted by a sponge marketed as antibacterial, think again. These sponges have been treated with a toxic chemical called Triclosan, a pesticide (2). This pesticide has links to cancer, a decrease in thyroid hormones, and skin irritation.
While you’ll probably not be harmed by washing dishes with gloves, you must remember that this sponge is touching your utensils.
A Kitchen Sponge Is Dirtier Than the Toilet
It’s true — your kitchen sponge hosts more bacteria than your toilet (3). It even contains harmful pathogenic bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.
There Are More Hygienic Sponge Alternatives
Now that you realize how unhygienic a sponge is, you’re probably wondering: what should I use instead?
If you want to stick to the kitchen sponge, we recommend a cellulose kitchen sponge, like these Arcliber Sponges. These biodegradable sponges are made from wood pulp. Therefore, when you need to replace it every few weeks, it isn’t contributing to landfills.
Another great option is a silicone sponge, such as Geloo Silicone Dish Sponges. These are dishwasher safe, so you can deep clean them between uses. This also means you don’t need to throw them out or replace them as often.
You could also opt for reusable dishcloths like these Swedish Dishcloths. You can wash them in the washing machine, which keeps them fresh and clean.
If it helps, we haven’t used a kitchen sponge in over six years — and our dishes are sparkling clean!
What Makes a Sponge So Dirty
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If you’re wondering why a sponge accumulates so much bacteria, it’s simply because it’s used to clean food. Food residue can feed bacteria, causing them to multiply. While you wash that bacteria off your plates and forks, it harbors on the kitchen sponge and hides in the pores, proving unsanitary.
It Doesn’t Matter How Often You Clean the Sponge
While we recommend cleaning your sponge in the microwave every few days, this will only slightly minimize bacteria (4). Studies have found that there is barely a difference between a regularly-cleaned sponge and a sponge that’s never cleaned.
So while you may want to try boiling or steaming the sponge, replacing it every few weeks is best.
Sponges Bring in Millions of Dollars
In 2020, the sponge and scouring pad market brought in sales of 478.57 million dollars (5). The five leading sponge companies are 3M co., Armaldy Brands Inc., and Corazzi Fibre Srl. Sponge sales are rapidly increasing since ordering them online is so easy.
Kitchen Sponge Bacteria Experiments
Numerous studies have discovered crazy amounts of bacteria on sponges. We’ll walk you through some of these scientific studies and what tests they did to find their results.
One study is: Microbiome analysis and confocal microscopy of used kitchen sponges reveal massive colonization by Acinetobacter, Moraxella, and Chryseobacterium species (6). In this study, experts analyzed kitchen sponges’ bacterial microbiomes through DNA sequencing, fluorescence, and laser scanning microscopy.
Another study is the Microbiological quality of kitchen sponges used in university student dormitories (7). Researchers analyzed 50 sponges from students at the University of Sharjah. They stored the sponges at room temperature for three to 10 days before assessing them. The results weren’t surprising: the sponges were dense with pathogenic bacteria.
One more we’ll look at: Evidence of Cronobacter sakazakii and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria (8). This study investigated microbial communities on 100 used kitchen sponges. They processed the sponges for various germs, including yeast, mold, micrococci, Enterobacteriaceae, and more. They found the sponges to be highly contaminated with various germs, including food-borne pathogens.
The conclusion remains the same: kitchen sponges are gross.
FAQs
Absorb These Facts
Now that we’ve walked you through 10 kitchen sponge cleaning facts and statistics, we urge you to remember one thing. If you’re going to use a kitchen sponge, remember to replace it every two weeks.
That being said, we aren’t huge fans of kitchen sponges. You’re better off using a silicone sponge, dish cloth, or scrubbing brush. These host significantly fewer bacteria which is safer for you and your family.
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