by Martin W. Schwartz

Created on: March 10, 2006   Last Updated: May 02, 2007

One use for a microwave is to kill bacteria and viruses that are commonly found on kitchen sponges. No matter how much washing with soap or in the dishwasher, sponges remain pools of pathogens and they can cross contaminate food being prepared on kitchen surfaces that have been wiped down.

The proper way to sterilize a sponge is to wet it thoroughly, wring it out gently and then put it in the microwave on high power for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. DO NOT LEAVE IT IN THE MICROWAVE UNATTENDED! Because microwaves heat from within outward (by boiling water molecules), the bacteria deep in the recesses of the sponge will be killed (their cell walls will burst from escaping internal moisture) and viruses will have their DNA or RNA fatally disrupted. The same is true for any parasitic organisms like amoebas or microscopic worms, that may have moved from food into the sponge, as their internal moisture will boil, killing them quickly.

Learn more about this author, Martin W. Schwartz.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.