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Both can be breeding grounds for bacteria, but proper cleaning can mitigate the risks. 6 min () (Illustration by Chloe Meister/The Washington Post; iStock) Skip to main content Types of sponges and dishcloths How to use them effectively How to clean your cleaning tools When to toss them By (https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/stacey-colino/?itid=ai_top_colinostacey22) Stacey Colino August 8, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. EDT People love to debate cleaning questions: Do you (https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2023/10/04/testing-rinsing-dishes-before-dishwasher/?itid=lk_inline_manual_1) need to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher? Can you (https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/interactive/2023/cast-iron-skillet-quiz/?itid=lk_inline_manual_1) use soap on a cast-iron skillet ? Yes or no to (https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2023/01/27/laundry-advice-ann-russell/?itid=lk_inline_manual_1) fabric softeners ? And, perhaps the most pressing, in terms of actual germs: Is it better to clean dishes and kitchen surfaces with a sponge or a dishcloth? The short answer is that each has its pros and cons \u2014 and both can get nasty pretty quickly. \u201cThey\u2019re both just as bad because they hold moisture,\u201d says (https://west.arizona.edu/person/charles-gerba) Charles Gerba , a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona. \u201cBasically, a sponge or a dishrag is a happy home for bacteria.\u201d In fact, (https://www.foodprotection.org/files/food-protection-trends/Sep-Oct-14-Gerba.pdf) research by Gerba and his colleagues has found that both can harbor E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter and other bacteria that can make people sick or cause skin infections. And if the same sponge or cloth is used throughout the kitchen, it can spread these germs between surfaces. \u201cBacteria will grow on anything warm and moist,\u201d says Kristin DiNicolantonio, senior director of stakeholder communications at the (https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/) American Cleaning Institute in D.C. \u201cChoosing between dishcloths and sponges is really a matter of personal preference.\u201d Here\u2019s a closer look at how they stack up. Advertisement Types of sponges and dishcloths Return to menu \u201cCellulose sponges are inexpensive, provide good absorbency and last through tough chores,\u201d DiNicolantonio says. These are great for washing dishes and cleaning counters and stovetops. Polyurethane sponges are stronger than cellulose sponges, making them good for scrubbing food off pots and pans. Also, \u201cthey dry out better because they hold less water,\u201d Gerba says. Abrasive sponges can be plastic or a combination of cellulose and a thinner, abrasive scrubbing side. \u201cThese sponges are a great tool for removing baked-on food on pots and pans,\u201d DiNicolantonio says. Natural sea sponges \u201cgrow on the ocean floor and are typically biodegradable,\u201d DiNicolantonio says. \u201cThey\u2019re good for washing dishes and soaking up spills.\u201d Dishcloths, on the other hand, are typically made from cotton or microfiber and work on both dishes and countertops. Swedish dishcloths are particularly popular at the moment. These soft, super-absorbent combinations of sponge and cloth (often called sponge cloths or Skoy cloths) are biodegradable. \u201cIt\u2019s like a cross between a sponge and a paper towel,\u201d says (https://www.instagram.com/greencleaningcoach/) Leslie Reichert , a green-cleaning expert in the Boston area and the author of \u201c(https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Green-Cleaning-Leslie-Reichert/dp/1507779372) The Joy of Green Cleaning . \u201d \u201cThey dry super fast so bacteria doesn\u2019t have time to grow in them.\u201d Advertisement How to use them effectively Return to menu Some experts recommend having separate sponges or dishcloths for different areas: one for dishes and cookware, for example, another for the kitchen sink, another for countertops. \u201cIf you have a separate set for each area of the kitchen, you won\u2019t be cross-contaminating,\u201d says (https://www.instagram.com/slightlygreener/?locale=ko) Tonya Harris , a toxins expert in the Chicago area and the author of \u201c(https://www.amazon.com/Slightly-Greener-Method-Detoxifying-Expensive/dp/1728225353/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IL6BBKN2YKYT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MAAU2orJK1B5eAP0HrKpcnpsPyQeUv5csUB2gwc2py9_DoT_zLkvVNdZG1CIfEhW1YEdCuee9HE4GeGGBbdYgl-wtIA1jZFCukxd5NfAeqc4voQQF6kDaix9Pe_bgis2lMzw_t5DVed-cNdD93EJMKoJaTr9wkSKpcP03jzwjsKj45sEQHkFTE6fCi2LsVpFGj2FIUSxDfUi3ra1M4kMZzXherZBSa33kK7n25Ol5BM.2mf2kT5I9SvqhVHgxggvm0vLTl_vI1LtQE0Cxem-Qdg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+slightly+greener+method&qid=1722623112&s=books&sprefix=the+slightly+greener+method%2Cstripbooks%2C69&sr=1-1) The Slightly Greener Method .\u201d Don\u2019t use sponges or dishcloths to wipe up raw eggs or the juice from meat, poultry or seafood. Instead, \u201cuse a paper towel and a disinfectant and throw it away,\u201d Reichert says. The same goes for when you\u2019re cleaning produce drawers in the fridge, Gerba says. Use paper towels so you don\u2019t contaminate them. And \u201cdon\u2019t use a sponge on a cutting board \u2014 if you do, you\u2019re just contaminating it,\u201d he adds. Advertisement How to clean your cleaning tools Return to menu As far as cleaning goes, dishcloths are more straightforward: \u201cThrow them in the washing machine on the hottest cycle to kill bacteria, every three or four days,\u201d Gerba says. Then, place them in a hot dryer. To keep sponges clean, you can wash them in the dishwasher with a drying cycle each time you run it for dishes. Then \u201cstore the sponge in a dry area so it can dry out completely,\u201d Harris says. If you don\u2019t have a dishwasher, you can wet the sponge, then microwave it on high for 30 to 60 seconds. \u201cThe microwave heats the water inside the sponge and brings it to a boiling point, which kills the bacteria inside,\u201d Reichert says. This is especially beneficial, given that sponges have so many nooks and crannies where bacteria can nest. After zapping the sponge, be sure to let it cool before you take it out, to avoid burning your hands. Another option is to mix a solution of one quart of water and three tablespoons of bleach, then soak the sponge for five minutes and let it air dry, DiNicolantonio says. \u201cBe sure to wash your hands when you\u2019re done\u201d to protect your skin, she adds. \u201cIf you\u2019re really diligent, you can clean your sponge in a bleach-water solution as often as daily to keep it clean.\u201d When to toss them Return to menu How long you can continue to use a sponge or dishcloth depends partly on how often and roughly you use them and how frequently you clean them. By keeping them clean, you\u2019ll extend their life span. In general, it\u2019s best to replace your sponges every two to three weeks, DiNicolantonio says. Do it sooner if they start to break down, crumble or fall apart. And \u201cthe minute it smells weird, throw it away,\u201d Reichert says. Similarly, once a dishcloth starts to get frayed or thinner, it\u2019s no longer doing its job, Harris says. That means it\u2019s time to toss it and put a new one into circulation. In terms of the environmental impact of using sponges vs. dishrags, there are trade-offs: While dishcloths can be washed regularly and reused, eventually the fabric will get damaged from being used and washed and the cloths will need to be thrown away. As far as sponges go, they may not last as long as dishcloths do, but cellulose sponges, natural sea sponges and others made from plant fibers are biodegradable and can be composted. Which means that if you use these and dispose of them in an environmentally conscious way, you\u2019re not creating waste. \u201cBoth sponges and dishcloths probably need to be replaced more often than you think,\u201d Harris says. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. This is an instance where it\u2019s a mistake to let frugality get in the way of kitchen cleanliness or your health. 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Can you use soap on a cast-iron skillet? Yes or no to fabric softeners? And, perhaps the most pressing, in terms of actual germs: Is it better to clean dishes and kitchen surfaces with a sponge or a dishcloth? The short answer is that each has its pros and cons \u2014 and both can get nasty pretty quickly.\u201cThey\u2019re both just as bad because they hold moisture,\u201d says Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona. \u201cBasically, a sponge or a dishrag is a happy home for bacteria.\u201d In fact, research by Gerba and his colleagues has found that both can harbor E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter and other bacteria that can make people sick or cause skin infections. And if the same sponge or cloth is used throughout the kitchen, it can spread these germs between surfaces.\u201cBacteria will grow on anything warm and moist,\u201d says Kristin DiNicolantonio, senior director of stakeholder communications at the American Cleaning Institute in D.C. \u201cChoosing between dishcloths and sponges is really a matter of personal preference.\u201dHere\u2019s a closer look at how they stack up.Types of sponges and dishclothsReturn to menu\u201cCellulose sponges are inexpensive, provide good absorbency and last through tough chores,\u201d DiNicolantonio says. These are great for washing dishes and cleaning counters and stovetops.Polyurethane sponges are stronger than cellulose sponges, making them good for scrubbing food off pots and pans. Also, \u201cthey dry out better because they hold less water,\u201d Gerba says.Abrasive sponges can be plastic or a combination of cellulose and a thinner, abrasive scrubbing side. \u201cThese sponges are a great tool for removing baked-on food on pots and pans,\u201d DiNicolantonio says.Natural sea sponges \u201cgrow on the ocean floor and are typically biodegradable,\u201d DiNicolantonio says. \u201cThey\u2019re good for washing dishes and soaking up spills.\u201dDishcloths, on the other hand, are typically made from cotton or microfiber and work on both dishes and countertops. Swedish dishcloths are particularly popular at the moment. These soft, super-absorbent combinations of sponge and cloth (often called sponge cloths or Skoy cloths) are biodegradable. \u201cIt\u2019s like a cross between a sponge and a paper towel,\u201d says Leslie Reichert, a green-cleaning expert in the Boston area and the author of \u201cThe Joy of Green Cleaning.\u201d \u201cThey dry super fast so bacteria doesn\u2019t have time to grow in them.\u201dHow to use them effectivelyReturn to menuSome experts recommend having separate sponges or dishcloths for different areas: one for dishes and cookware, for example, another for the kitchen sink, another for countertops. \u201cIf you have a separate set for each area of the kitchen, you won\u2019t be cross-contaminating,\u201d says Tonya Harris, a toxins expert in the Chicago area and the author of \u201cThe Slightly Greener Method.\u201dDon\u2019t use sponges or dishcloths to wipe up raw eggs or the juice from meat, poultry or seafood. Instead, \u201cuse a paper towel and a disinfectant and throw it away,\u201d Reichert says. The same goes for when you\u2019re cleaning produce drawers in the fridge, Gerba says. Use paper towels so you don\u2019t contaminate them. And \u201cdon\u2019t use a sponge on a cutting board \u2014 if you do, you\u2019re just contaminating it,\u201d he adds.How to clean your cleaning toolsReturn to menuAs far as cleaning goes, dishcloths are more straightforward: \u201cThrow them in the washing machine on the hottest cycle to kill bacteria, every three or four days,\u201d Gerba says. Then, place them in a hot dryer.To keep sponges clean, you can wash them in the dishwasher with a drying cycle each time you run it for dishes. Then \u201cstore the sponge in a dry area so it can dry out completely,\u201d Harris says.If you don\u2019t have a dishwasher, you can wet the sponge, then microwave it on high for 30 to 60 seconds. \u201cThe microwave heats the water inside the sponge and brings it to a boiling point, which kills the bacteria inside,\u201d Reichert says. This is especially beneficial, given that sponges have so many nooks and crannies where bacteria can nest. After zapping the sponge, be sure to let it cool before you take it out, to avoid burning your hands.Another option is to mix a solution of one quart of water and three tablespoons of bleach, then soak the sponge for five minutes and let it air dry, DiNicolantonio says. \u201cBe sure to wash your hands when you\u2019re done\u201d to protect your skin, she adds. \u201cIf you\u2019re really diligent, you can clean your sponge in a bleach-water solution as often as daily to keep it clean.\u201dWhen to toss themReturn to menuHow long you can continue to use a sponge or dishcloth depends partly on how often and roughly you use them and how frequently you clean them. By keeping them clean, you\u2019ll extend their life span.In general, it\u2019s best to replace your sponges every two to three weeks, DiNicolantonio says. Do it sooner if they start to break down, crumble or fall apart. And \u201cthe minute it smells weird, throw it away,\u201d Reichert says.Similarly, once a dishcloth starts to get frayed or thinner, it\u2019s no longer doing its job, Harris says. That means it\u2019s time to toss it and put a new one into circulation.In terms of the environmental impact of using sponges vs. dishrags, there are trade-offs: While dishcloths can be washed regularly and reused, eventually the fabric will get damaged from being used and washed and the cloths will need to be thrown away. As far as sponges go, they may not last as long as dishcloths do, but cellulose sponges, natural sea sponges and others made from plant fibers are biodegradable and can be composted. Which means that if you use these and dispose of them in an environmentally conscious way, you\u2019re not creating waste.\u201cBoth sponges and dishcloths probably need to be replaced more often than you think,\u201d Harris says. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. 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