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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Do you wash sponges and dishcloths?

51 replies

JazzAnnNonMouse · 25/04/2012 00:38

Or throw them away?

OP posts:
JarethTheGoblinKing · 25/04/2012 00:41

Sponges are as infected as teh devils arsecheeks.

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

NatashaBee · 25/04/2012 00:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ceres · 25/04/2012 07:53

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 · 25/04/2012 09:02

Why would you throw away a dishcloth?

Bunbaker · 25/04/2012 09:05

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

SkinnyVanillaLatte · 25/04/2012 09:05

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 Wink

SkinnyVanillaLatte · 25/04/2012 09:06

OOOhhh Bun!
Just read that^^^!!

Now not doomed Grin

rubyrubyruby · 25/04/2012 09:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bronze · 25/04/2012 09:08

Put them all in a hot wash with the tea towels

MousyMouse · 25/04/2012 09:09

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 · 25/04/2012 09:13

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 · 25/04/2012 09:21

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 · 25/04/2012 12:57

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 · 25/04/2012 13:38

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 · 25/04/2012 13:41

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 · 25/04/2012 13:42

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 dryerGrin

Firawla · 25/04/2012 13:45

i use then chuck

Bunbaker · 25/04/2012 13:50

"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 · 25/04/2012 13:52

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

RatDesPaquerettes · 25/04/2012 14:02

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 Grin

JazzAnnNonMouse · 25/04/2012 15:26

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!

OP posts:
BananaPie · 25/04/2012 20:19

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

RatDesPaquerettes · 25/04/2012 20:22

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

bibbitybobbitybunny · 25/04/2012 20:23

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 · 26/04/2012 04:34

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.