Can a Kitchen Sponge Be Sterilized in a Microwave Oven?

Time Frame

• Sterilizing a kitchen sponge in a microwave oven takes less than 2 minutes. The microwave oven must be set to "high" to kill bacteria effectively.

Benefits

• University of Florida environmental engineering professor Gabriel Bitton says that sterilizing kitchen sponges in the microwave kills 99 percent of the germs and bacteria in sponges, including Salmonella and E. coli. Additionally, consumers can save money by getting extended use out of sterilized kitchen sponges.

Warning

• Kitchen sponges must be wet when placed in microwave for sterilization. Dry sponges and sponges that contain any metal can catch on fire. For safety, monitor the microwave closely as it heats.