Anyone who cleans their kitchen should not neglect the rinsing sponge. It gets clean with the help of a simple trick.
Ideally, anyone who likes to cook should clean their kitchen regularly. Because bacteria quickly collect on countertops – especially when preparing meat and fish products. Grease stains on the stove are also an absolute no-go for many hobby cooks and are eliminated. In addition to the typical cleaning to-dos, there is one tool that should not be forgotten.
Cleaning the kitchen properly: a simple trick keeps the dish sponge clean
The rinsing sponge should also be replaced regularly, because this practical aid magically attracts germs. As a general rule: “The more often raw foods are processed in the kitchen, the more often the cloths and sponges should be changed,” writes the American Federal Center for Nutrition. Once a week, however, is the minimum.
In addition to changing them, cleaning the utensils is also important. Cloths and washing-up sponges can be “washed at a minimum of 140 degrees,” the website continues. Because: A 140 degree wash removes most germs and bacteria. From 212 degrees even all bacteria are killed, which is why a trick is particularly useful – namely boiling.
Cleaning the kitchen: Boiling the dish sponge with vinegar
From 212 degrees, the water in the pot starts to boil. So, when cleaning devils put the sponge in the pot together with water and ideally some vinegar (ratio 3:1), the bacteria die. The acid in the vinegar has an antibacterial effect and also helps with cleaning. After two minutes, remove the rinsing sponge again.
In this way, amateur cooks ensure better hygiene in the kitchen and can safely reuse the rinsing sponge after cleaning. However, this does not prevent regular replacement.
