StemCell Therapy

The humble kitchen sponge may not exactly be the cleanest thing around, but it's still your trusted tool for dealing with that sink of dirty dishes. So, it cant be that bad, right? Err Actually, those innocent-looking little sponges can be some of the most bacteria-packed things in your house.

Thats according to a recent study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, which analyzed the bacteria in sponges that people regularly used to clean their kitchens. For the study, researchers looked at the genetic information of microbes that live in the sponges and found 362 different species of bacteria in 14 sponges.

Granted, exposure to some bacteria can be good for you, and it takes a lot of the less-friendly types to actually make you sick. But in this study, five of the 10 most common species of bacteria in the sponges were kinds that can potentially cause infections, including three species in the Acinetobacter genus, for instance, which can cause pneumonia.

So, you should probably just clean your sponges more often, right? Not necessarily. The study also found that two of the most common bacteria found on the spongesChryseobacterium hominis and Moraxella osloensiswere more likely to be resistant to cleaning (including both conventional washing with hot, soapy water and microwaving). In fact, these bacteria actually thrived in sponges that were cleaned regularly. Fantastic.

The reason why cleaning the sponge doesn't solve the problem is a little confusing, but it comes down to simple math, Michael G. Schmidt, Ph.D., professor and vice chair of the department of microbiology and immunology at Medical University of South Carolina, tells SELF. The majority of disinfectants are designed to reduce the concentration of bacteria by 99.9 percent. Although we tend to assume that's "basically 100 percent," it's really not.

If there are 10 million bacteria associated with the sponge and the disinfectant did its job, a 99.9 percent reduction would still leave approximately 10,000 bacteria in the sponge, Schmidt explains. And those that escape the disinfectant end up with less competition and can, therefore, proliferate. Ultimately, its not that surprising that there were still microbes in the nooks and crannies of the sponge, he says.

It's also a good idea to pay attention to where you put your sponge. For most bacteria to grow and maintain that growth, they need moisture, Daniel Hassett, Ph.D., professor of molecular genetics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, tells SELF. A lot of people let their sponges sit on top of the sink, and theres still moisture there, he points out. Ideally, you should put your sponge on an elevated, highly aerated area, he says, like a little soap dish with holes in the bottom so it won't just sit in moisture.

When it comes to the bacteria on your sponge, keep a few factors in mind before freaking out. The types of microbes you're dealing with, how concentrated they are, and their virulence factors (molecules that add to their ability to infect you) all affect the chances of you getting sick, Schmidt says. For the most part, your immune system will fight these bacteria off. But, occasionally, a nasty pathogen can slip through, he says. The chances of illness are always present, but if you eat well [and] get plenty of rest, your immune system and microbes will be able to resist the majority of the bugs in the sponge. If you have a compromised immune system for whatever reason, though, you may be more likely to get sick from these and other pathogens.

And, according to Hassett, your odds of getting sick are virtually zero if you wash your hands well after using a sponge. Even if you use a tainted sponge to clean a plate, a lot of that bacteria will be killed as it dries.

For the vast majority of us, the go-to sanitization methods are still totally fine. The dishwasher is often considered the best way, since heat, soap, and water work quite well with each other to inactivate bacteria, Schmidt says.

And you can still microwave your (wet) sponge for a minute or two. Schmidt says the basic idea makes sense, but your results may vary based on the thickness of your sponge and concentration of the bacteria. "Steam needs to reach the microbeand effectively render the [bacteria] to an inactive state," he explains. Think about it like trying to make the perfect baked potato: Some microwaves can do it perfectly with a single presetting, while others require a little more fiddling. That's because both the power of the microwave and the thickness of the spud can vary. And, just like a microwaved potato, your sponge will be piping hot when it comes outso proceed with caution. Also, don't forget to wet the sponge before putting it in the microwave or you will set a small fire.

You can also make sure your sponge has a chance to fully dry out before you use it again. So remember to move it onto an elevated holder that allows it to drain.

Its also best to avoid using sponges to clean up meat and fish, since those foods are more likely to carry bacteria. Ideally, sponges are great for wiping up crumbs, Dr. Schmidt says. But, if you use them to decontaminate your counter or cutting board, be sure to spray a disinfectant on the dirty surface first, let it sit for a moment, and then use your sponge to wipe up the dead microbes.

And, of course, dont keep your sponge forever. The studys researchers recommend tossing them after a week. Yes, a week.

Related:

You May Also Like: 12 Healthy Foods You Should Always Keep in Your Pantry

Go here to see the original:
Your Sponge Holds a Disgusting Amount of Bacteria, BTW | SELF - SELF

This entry was posted on August 11, 2017 at 3:42 pm and is filed under Molecular Genetics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |