to take a personal washing up sponge to work?

[WindUpPenguin]

Big office. There is usually washing up liquid (provided by Facilities Management) by the sink in the kitchenette, but often no sponge, and if there is it is grim due to volume of people using it/ not rinsing/wringing after use.

I am now in the office two days a week. If I want to wash up my breakfast bowl/mug or lunchbox, I have three options:

1. Bring in a sponge everyday I am in, sacrifice it to office use (it will be chucked or in gross condition by my next office day).
2. Bring in a sponge. Wring it out and keep it in my locker (may not be completely dry, get a bit smelly).
3. Take all my stuff home everyday to wash (not too fussed about lunchboxes, but I would much prefer to leave my mug/bowl/cutlery in my locker).

So AIBU to go for option 2 and be the weirdo with the locker sponge. Will my whole locker smell damp and gross? Is there a special type of sponge or cloth which will be less smelly?

I'd use a paper towel too.

I'm the silicone washing up sponge woman in my workplace. If you give it a good dry and store it in a ziplock bag it'll be good until the weekend, and then you can take it home to sterilise or put through the dishwasher.

The communal kitchen is utterly minging at all the sites I work at, and covered in god knows what due to the industrial nature the work. I don't even want to touch the kettle in there most of the time.

Really? After 2/3 days an average office would completely destroy a sponge?

Either way, I feel like the obvious solution is just contacting facilities/ management and telling them you need more sponges.

Do you know if anyone has ever actually become ill from it?

You are being unreasonable for using a sponge. They are the most unhygienic of washing items.

I just rinse and take home to wash.

I would cut a sponge into a triangle and use that with washing up liquid.

You can store it in the fridge with a post-it note with your name 'Peguin' on it and people will just assume it is a piece of cake.

If someone does try to take a bite out of it they are likely to just put it back. You will be able to spot the 'cake' thief as they will be foaming at the mouth.

Your fingers might be gross but most people’s aren’t.

You'll get a nickname if you keep it in your locker/drawer. You will - I'm warning you!