by Kate Eglan-Garton

Created on: May 31, 2010

If you like the fact that a sponge can get into corners and stay saturated with just the right amount of dampness, you will be happy to know that you can prevent the presence of mold and mildew, germs and bacteria that take up residence in a damp sponge.

Nature creates organisms in everything that lives.  Our bodies, the food that we eat, the water that we use and areas where dampness exists are a few examples where we can find molecules that exist by being exposed to air.  A damp area will attract certain organisms that like this type of environment and sponges are a great place for them to reside. 

We have always used baking soda as an odor eliminator for refrigerators but few understand the reason why.  The pH balance of acids and alkaline determines the natural balance in all living things.  If we eat a highly acidic food, such as soda, the balance of our pH is thrown to the side of our pH balance, making us feel tired.  The same holds true with living organisms that thrive on this type of arena outside of our bodies.  Dampness attracts mildew where organisms grow and we recognize this by a foul smell.  Baking soda has a regular pH balance of 8.1 that is located in the middle of the acidic and alkaline scale, forcing a balance to occur

Removing the bacteria, mold and mildew caused by living organisms in sponges is easy.  Baking soda is a pH neutralizer that regulates the see-saw balance of acids and alkaline, removing the organisms that thrive on the extreme ends of both.  Keep a bowl of two teaspoons of baking soda mixed with two cups of water by your kitchen sink and simply place your sponge in this solution for two hours after using. 

Ring out your sponge and let air dry and you will be guaranteed that all of the microorganisms have been thoroughly disinfected.  Place your baking soda mixture under the sink to help capture the odors of sweating pipes.  This method works as well with a damp mop.  Mix four tablespoons of baking powder with one gallon of water and soak your mop head for two hours.  Remove, wring out and let air dry.  Who knew that disinfecting and keeping odors in check could be so easy?

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