Do you wash sponges and dishcloths?

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Or throw them away?

[JarethTheGoblinKing]

Sponges are as infected as teh devils arsecheeks.

Washcloths get thrown in the machine at the end of the day, yes.

[ceres]

wash them.

both sponges and cloths are breeding grounds for bacteria and get washed daily as do tea towels - sponge goes in the dishwasher and cloths go in the machine with towels and tea towels at 60.

[halcyondays]

Why would you throw away a dishcloth?

[Bunbaker]

Yes. You can also zap the bacteria by sticking damp sponges and dishcloths in the microwave and zapping them for 2 minutes.

[SkinnyVanillaLatte]

I have no dishwasher but sponges are changed regularly and washed and left to dry rather than sitting in a puddle of water.
Dishcloths washed on a hot wash.
Tea towels washed on a hot wash and ironed as it makes me feel like more bugs are being killed but tbh if I'm using sponges we're probably doomed anyway

[SkinnyVanillaLatte]

OOOhhh Bun!
Just read that^^^!!

Now not doomed

[bronze]

Put them all in a hot wash with the tea towels

[MousyMouse]

washed.
sponges are only used to clean pans (so not used daily), kitchen cloths are changed every day. both go the in the wash with the towels on 60 or higher.
washing up brush goes in the dishwasher once a week.

[PigletJohn]

After you have washed and rinsed a plastic sponge after use, you can squeeze it out, then apply a squirt of WUL and squeeze it until it is full of foam. The WUL will prevent bacterial and slime growth, and when you next want to use it, you wash and squeeze it out in hot water first.

[fussbucket]

You can kill off the bacteria by nuking sponges in the microwave. Wet, in a covered bowl, ten minutes on high. It will of course be scalding hot when it comes out, tip it into the washing up basin and run cold water over to cool it.

[Bunbaker]

I posted about nuking them, but don't even use a bowl. I just plonk a wet dishcloth and sponge on the turntable.

I know it works because it destroys the smell that the bacteria cause.

[valiumredhead]

I use micro fibre cloths and use at least one clean one a day - then they just get bunged straight in the washing machine.

[BornToFolk]

Sponges, no but they are changed regularly and I do zap them in the microwave when I remember to.
Dishcloths (actually used for general cleaning rather than dishes!) are chucked in a bucket and then washed with the towels on 60 degrees. As I just use them for cleaning, they tend to get washed after each use. I wash J cloths too

[fussbucket]

I use a bowl mainly because I scalded my fingers picking it up the first time so always rinse in cold, I could use tongs to move it I 'spose.
I keep finding microfibre cloths stuck fast to towels when I take them out of the tumble dryer

[Firawla]

i use then chuck

[Bunbaker]

"i use then chuck"

Why? Do you throw all your clothes away after one wear. It is so easy to wash dishcloths and sponges or nuke them in the microwave.

[PorkyandBess]

We don't use sponges, but have those yellow dish cloths. Put in the washing machine every day.

[RatDesPaquerettes]

I will stand out like a sore thumb... but I don't do any of what most of you have described.

I don't use dishcloths and I do not own a microwave or a dishwasher. I use a sponge to wash dishes and wipe my worktops and kitchen table with it too. I rinse the sponge after each use and leave it to dry next to the sink. I change it every couple of months at best.

I have not been ill in a very long time. The last time I was ill was after eating at friends...

OP, do what feels right for you! I think there is way too much paranoia about bacteria. Oh yes..., obviously I do not use anti-bacterial cleaning products either

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

I'm just nosy tbh, I generally put kitchen cloths etc in the nappy wash as I run that at 95 every other day. Just wondered whether others washed too as they're quite cheap and wouldn't be surprised if many throw away and buy weekly/monthly etc - tempting in a way but would be quite a bit of a waste!

[BananaPie]

Same as Rat although the sponge gets changed once a week. We seem to be surviving.

[RatDesPaquerettes]

BananaPie, I was about to make you an honorary rat but a weekly frequency is way too high for you to qualify

[bibbitybobbitybunny]

Yes, I do wash those things and make them last as long as possible as I have a real problem with sending things to landfill. I use sponges until the scrubby bit wears off - we are all exceptionally healthy. When I have a cup of tea or coffee and know I'm not going to have another one for a few hours, I pour whatever boiling water is left from the kettle over the dishcloth. That sorts the bacteria out. I put the washing up brushes in the dishwasher. Wash j cloths in the towels/sheets wash at 60 deg.

[Alinta]

I would have problems putting dish cloths in with nappies for washing, no matter how high the temperature. Just doesn't seem right to me.