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2nd Trimester
MaggieGrace
member
? for those who use different sponges for dishes and counter
MaggieGrace
member
Why?
I realize that sponges are germ-laden. I sanitize mine obsessively. But, I don't understand why you are OK with using the germ-laden thing on your dishes (that you eat off of) but not OK with spreading the germs on the counter (that you don't eat from). Am I missing something? Enlighten me!
Thanks!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: ? for those who use different sponges for dishes and counter
we replace washcloths every day (which we use to wipe down the counters) and sponges go in the dishwasher once a week.
haha too funny!
I guess when i 'do the dishes' I rinse them off, possibly use a sponge to get something stuck on off of the dish and then put them into the dishwasher...
I use a sponge to help rinse the dishes before I put them in the dishwasher - sometimes I get made fun of for "washing the dishes twice", but I don't want to have food stuck to the dishes when they come out.
I usually use Chlorox Wipes to wipe down the counters, so wouldn't need to use the sponge.
Then I end up using old sponges to clean the bathrooms.
I'm sure that doesn't answer your question in the least, but for some reason I probably wouldn't use the dish sponge for the counters because it's job is to clean the dishes, and then retire in the bathroom in my house.
I'm not afraid of germs, and think people these days are a bit ridiculous when it comes to antibacterial stuff. (Hooray marketing)
We have a sponge for the counters and a dishwand for the dishes.
Amen sista!
Purell is the stupidest invention ever, I understand if you handle raw chicken or something but there is such a thing as being too "antimicrobial"
This is true...it is the overuse of antibacterial substances that has led to things like MRSA and strep infections. Now, like PP mentioned, if I am handling raw meat , the cutting board gets washed off and placed in the dishwasher, and the counters get wiped down with Clorox wipes before I prepare anything else on the counters.
Purell is different then most antibacterials because it uses alcohol to "kill" the germs, rather than chemical antibacterials, so using it is does not contribute to increasing bacterial resistance as much as chemical antibacterials do.
Also, Triclosan is the major ingredient used in antibacterial soaps, and when it is used it combines with the chlorine used to make our public water systems potable, it forms a chloroform like substance that we then inhale as we are leaning over the sink. Obviously it is not large amounts, but over time, it can be detrimental. I stopped using Colgate Total for that particular reason, because it contains Triclosan. Just another tidbit, FWIW.
To answer OP question, I use sponges mostly for "dirty" cleaning...scrubbing bathtub/shower, or scrubbing the sink (different sponges obviously), and use wash cloths to wipe down the counters. I will use something like 409 or scrubbing bubbles a couple times per week. I change the wash cloth every other day or so. We wash most of our dishes in the dishwasher, and only rinse them first. When we have pots and pans to wash, I will grab a fresh wash cloth to wash those dishes. My mom uses the same scrub sponge for AGES, and it totally grosses me out. I will always grab a new wash cloth when I am helping wash dishes at her house, and won't use the sponge.
You're not answering my question!! I didn't ask WHAT you do I asked WHY??? If the sponge is clean enough for you to use on the dishes you eat off, why isn't it clean enough for your counter? I don't get that.
Remind me to bring you some reusable skoy cloths. One = 15 rolls of paper towels, so they are not only GREEN they are FRUGAL, too!!
https://www.skoycloth.com/
I am not a germophobe, and I don't use anti-bacterial anything, but sponges still skeeve me out. We have a ton of small rags that we use once (like we would a paper towel) then put in the washbin. We only wash them when we have a decent-size load, so it doesn't use excessive water.
Those are super cute, but they seem to be a "better" product, not a "best". Cotton rags cut from old, holey clothing or towels require no new production and use no new resources and they are free. Rags cut from natural fiber cloth are also compostable when it is no longer usable (after years of use). The Skoy cloths are adorable, but there are cheaper (free) and greener options.
I don't use sponges--I think they are gross--but I think an answer to your question is that with dishes, you have the constant rinsing from hot water and you have a visual cleanliness gage as the bubbles wash away. Plus the constant soap + water gives the feeling that the sponge is essentially being washed with each dish washed. Counters seem like a more stagnant place because heavy rinsing just isn't plausible. At least that is my stab at the logic
.
I'm with you--I think people are too germaphobic nowadays and a lot of the antibacterial products do more harm than good.
And unless someone is taking a shiit on their counters, it's pretty much the same bacteria that's on your dishes--only your dishes have more on them.
I use a sponge just for dishes, and use paper towels for my counters.
why I do this. because our dishwasher doesn't clean our dishes, it makes them worse. So we don't use the dishwasher, we handwash our dishes. and every week the sponge gets replaced.
I think I love you. Great thinking! And thanks for being the only person to try and explain "why."
OK, OK...I guess because when I'm washing the dishes with the sponge, I feel like I'm also cleaning the sponge. It is constantly under the hot water and soap. Whereas on the counter, I would just be leaving the residue there. I feel like the cleaner and the paper towel are actually cleaning. Are the skoy cloths what you brought to the Vineyard (small square cloth)?
That seems reasonable, but do you really think all those germs are washing down the drain? I'm just joking, of course. Now that you point it out that way, I'd say that there are more likely more germs left on the counter from the sponge than on a plate you wash. And, I liked what you did with O in having a separate sponge for her stuff. I have to say, I keep my sponges way longer than a week. I do pop them in the microwave and the dishwasher all the time, but I probably should replace them more often.
Yes, the square cloths with the flowers on them are the Skoy cloths. It's funny what one PP pointed out re: buying something vs. using something you already have. It was a great point!