Cloths and sponges- being hygienic

[Sistermoondance]

Hi there,

A very boring question really. How long do you use the same sponges / cloths for?

I tend to replace washing up sponges weekly and cloths to wipe down kitchen surfaces a bit more frequently. After using them I rinse them out, but I worry because my dh never does and leaves them either scrunched up on the worktop or floating in dirty dish water. Makes me wonderif I should replace them daily :-s but don't want to be excessive or spend a fortune. My dh already thinks I have a cloth OCD as I ask him to use a diff sponge to clean the cats dishes..

What do you lovely ladies think?

[mousymouse]

I put the dirty/damp cloths on the side of the bath to dry for a couple of hours, then they go into the 'white' washbasket with the towels...

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

Yes, mine is on most days, but I only do a 60 degree wash once or twice a week.

[Pussycatlover]

I shove the dirty cloth straight in the washing machine...its on most days any way. As for the one in use.....i agree it looks rank andi dont know wha to do with it either

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

I use cloths and change at least once a day - ideally should really be after each use.

Thing I can never decide how to sort, is where to put the grubby ones waiting to be washed? Don't want them to be damp and festering in a basket until I do a towel wash, so I leave them draped over a radiator in the utility room, which looks disgusting but at least it's not in full view or growing a pong.

And, where do you put the damn cloth between uses, assuming you're not chucking it in the wash straight away? Looks squalid hanging over my lovely sink, but I don't know what else to do with it.
Any suggestions?

[DreamTeamGirl]

I use microfibre and they go in the machine most days- 2 days use max, but tbh I rarely wash anything up anyway

Cloths smell mank from the dish washer IMO, done it a couple of time and ewwwwwww

[TerrorFirmer]

that dostinctive when they've been sitting there damp with food particles and grot taking up camp for a couple of days - that's bacteria!

[Wirlies]

Oooh, love this thread. I buy a big bag of the cheapy blue dishclothes and stick them in the washing machine if too grubby. Change them at least once a day. Nothing worse than a manky cloth......!

[begonyabampot]

jings, i'm minging in comparison - but still alive and quite healthy (I think).

[mousymouse]

I don't use sponges and cloths go into the wash everyday (the basket that is, I wash them together with the towels at 60).
the dish brush goes into the dishwasher every now and then.

[bibbitybobbityhat]

When I make tea or coffee and I know I'm not going to have another cup any time soon, I pour the rest of the boiling water from the ketthle over the dishcloth and wring it out to dry and hang it up. I put cloths in the dishwasher too when I remember. I keep using them for days and days - you know when a dishcloth has gone manky cos it smells. I change my sponges maybe once a fortnight! Never had a problem here.

[Chippychop]

Didy...bet you're more fun though!

[didymosity]

am reading this in shame. i use sponges til the scourer rubs off. clean them in the washing machine maybe once every couple months. i use an enjo mitt to clean surfaces and we have a dishwasher so only wash up pans etc but yeah the sponges are pretty rank if i think about it. hmmm. need more ecloths then i guess?
i am soooo not a 'natural' at this cleaning lark...

[Chippychop]

I use a clean cloth at least once a day. We have a brush, no sponges.. Stubborn marks i use wire wool or brillo pad. Thats only if it cant or wont fit in the dishwasher. I dont know anyone without a a dishwasher

[lalamom]

What is the problem with sponges?I see an anti sponge theme on here.

Do people use a cloth to clean plates etc- don't you need something more effective or does everyone have dishwashers?

[bronze]

FirmTerror to the terrafirma eh?

[TerrorFirmer]

they are all completely ew.

kitchen roll instead of cloths

brushes instead of sponges (boiled regularly)

my name is TerrorFirmer and I am a germophobe

[Teachermumof3]

I use at least two cloths a day and just bung them in the washing machine and they get done with the next load.

[tanmu82]

I usually wash mine weekly (cloths), but all cloths and sponges get rinsed out and put on kitchen radiator to dry out after each use

[TheProvincialLady]

I use microfibre cloths. A new one at least every day and they go in a hot wash, it's no bother. I either put my sponges in the dishwasher or the washing machine every few days and replace them when they go all wierd. I used to do the bleach thing too but they go very strange even after the first time.

[ramonaquimby]

never use sponges
use a new cloth at least every day

[SilveryMoon]

I'm the only person in my house who does the washing up.
I use sponges for a week, but before each use, I run some water onto it and pop it in the microwave for 20/30 secs to sterilise it.
Wipe down cloths go in the wash after I've wiped down the counters

[Greenshadow]

Stick dishcloth in washing machine every few days.

Do use different cloth for cats bowls.

[bounty007]

i have just bought an ecloth from lakeland and love it..will be buying more..it is machine washable & has a lifetime guarantee I think

[Flisspaps]

I do the same as CeliaFate

[nannyl]

i have machine washable micro fibre cloths and wash them most days.

i have a sponge for washhing up (not surfaces) and change it weekly or more... just get the cheap ones so i just bin them and dont care