You microwave a WET sponge to kill the germs

[underpants]

I thought that was the whole point-you use it then you microwave it

Microwave Experiments Cause Sponge Disasters

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=2822160

Jan 25, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Reports about a study that found microwave ovens can be used to sterilize kitchen sponges sent people hurrying to test the idea this week — with sometimes disastrous results.

A team at the University of Florida found that two minutes in the microwave at full power could kill a range of bacteria, viruses and parasites on kitchen sponges.

They described how they soaked the sponges in wastewater and then zapped them. But several experimenters evidently left out the crucial step of wetting the sponge.

"Just wanted you to know that your article on microwaving sponges and scrubbers aroused my interest. However, when I put my sponge/scrubber into the microwave, it caught fire, smoked up the house, ruined my microwave, and pissed me off," one correspondent wrote in an e-mail to Reuters.

"First, the sponge is worthless afterwards so you have to throw it out instead of using it. And second your entire house stinks like a burning tire for several hours, even with windows/doors open," complained another.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I was gonna try that but I havethe kind of spnge that has

a scrubby side. And since I am not sure if it is metallic or not, I don't wanna take chances.

[crispini]

5. I just did it with mine this morning

It had a green scrubby side. No problem.

Mmmmm. Hot wet sponge.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. I use the yellow ones with the green scrubby. No problems ever.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. When I read that this morning, I couldn't believe people were that stupid.

Do the sponges need to come with a warning now? Like sun shades that say not to drive the car with the sun shade in place?

How moranic.

I either pop mine in the dishwasher or microwave, and it wouldn't occur to me to do it when they were dry. What sense does that make?

[Buzz Clik]

10. WARNING: DO NOT PUT HOT SPONGE IN EYE.

[teriyaki jones]

14. LOL!

BTW, this is also an easy way to clean a dirty microwave, since the steam from the WET sponge softens the gross, baked-on crud. Just a helpful household hint from a truly household-cleaning-impaired girl!

[cynatnite]

16. It never occured to me to nuke a WET sponge...

well, never thought about nuking a sponge at all. It is nice to know that it helps clean the microwave, too. Gonna try it!

[Midlodemocrat]

19. I started doing it when I saw a show about how 'unclean' the

counters can be due to all kinds of invisible germs.

After I finish the dishes, I nuke the sponge, wipe the counters, sink et al and then nuke it again.

I also run it through the dishwasher on occasion. Nuking it seems to extend the life of the darned things, too. Go figure.

[Buzz Clik]

27. Nuking = extended life of sponge. Here's why:

Typical cellulose sponges die early deaths from 1) excessively and aggressively wringing them out will tear them to shreds and 2) simply falling apart. Nuking will extend the sponge life because much of the falling apart is due to rotting away -- the cellulose is a wonderful food source for all the disgusting microorganisms that collect on the sponge. By nuking it right after you finish with it, you knock down the microbial populations.

Nicely done!!


P.S. One other warning: mopping up sulfuric acid spills with a cellulose sponge is a very bad idea. Don't!

[Midlodemocrat]

34. Hm. I should probably throw away all the sulfuric acid then?

[teriyaki jones]

22. One more helpful hint . . .

Wear rubber gloves when you pick up the sponge--otherwise it will burn your hand (as well as your eye !)

[cynatnite]

23. I won't eat it either...

[crispini]

15. WARNING: DO NOT EAT HOT SPONGE.

[PinkUnicorn]

18. Do Not Taunt Happy Fun Sponge!

[crispini]

20. Hahahahaha.

[underpants]

12. I've been doing this for years

before I ever read about it.

[sweetheart]

21. Aim can at underarm and press button.

We're pretty stupid.

[Kookaburra]

3. From the "no duh" files...

Seriously, though, why wouldn't they note in the original article to wet the sponge? Most people would know to do that, but there are folks who might not. That was a bit irresponsible of them.

[Kolesar]

4. I've been around the world and determined only stupid people are breeding

name that tune

[XemaSab]

8. Flagpole Sitter by Harvey Danger

ps Microwaved wet sponge smells REALLY BAD.

[Kolesar]

35. Thank You!

My kind of music http://www.musicsonglyrics.com/H/harveydangerlyrics/har...

[northzax]

9. blink 182- what's my age again?

[underpants]

11. Funny line

I googled it and see it several times but I don't see a song or artist

[SoCalDem]

7. Sounds like a law suit waiting to happen..either way

dry: catches fire, endangers the family..ruins the microwave

wet:: burns the person's hand when they try to wring out the BOILING HOT water

People who are not smart enough to know how to operate a dangerous piece of equipment like a sponge, should have technical supervision

[havocmom]

24. LOL coffee on keyboard...

Can I put the keyboard in the microwave?

After years of seeing the stupid things some people do out in the great outdoors, I have long advocated testing before they are allowed off pavement and into wilderness areas. You are correct, if they can't even operate a sponge, they need to be supervised.

"No, the bears are NOT hibernating if you are comfy walking around here in your desiger shorts and shirt with the little alligator on it. Leash your dogs lest they annoy a bear and provoke him into hurting someone!" *

*havocmom to twit who assured her bears wouldn't be a problem after he opened car door to let two city dogs out to run wild in a place called BEAR WALLOW. havocmom's partner said to just let the bears have the idiot, but havocmom knows it's always the bear that ends up paying the ultimate price.

[davidwparker]

13. I put mine in the dishwasher. I hate microwaves.

[Selatius]

17. If you want to duplicate a scientist's experiment, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CLOSELY!

If you have a problem with reading comprehension, my best advice is DON'T DO IT for your own sake and for ours.

[cosmik debris]

25. Bleach works better

diluted ten parts water to one part bleach it is 100% effective, much safer, requires no electricity or heat, and you can use it to disinfect your kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

It is used that way in many food packing plants and hospitals because it is so effective and inexpensive.

[bleedingheart]

28. nothing cleans like Bleach, Vinegar and Ammonia

and all are much cheaper than the other products people try to sell you.

Vinegar is probably the safest and least harmful to the environment.

Using lemon juice is also good...

[bleedingheart]

but I better put in a warning for the folks who don't know...

don't mix bleach and ammonia...

[cynatnite]

30. I was just gonna go try that...

My oldest daughter did that for a stained toilet when she moved into her apartment. I couldn't believe it. Thought I raised her better.

[bleedingheart]

32. when I was young...I mixed all the chemicals in the bathroom in

my mom's sink...( I was around 9 or 10)....and it started foaming and it got really hot and was giving off noxious fumes...so I started to add water and went down the drain...but it stained her sink.....

For weeks...she kept saying..."what the hell stained the bathroom sink?"


I said nothing....hee hee

[Virginia Dare]

26. Bleach water will too..

and you don't have to use any energy that way!

[Porcupine]

29. I put vinegar on the wet sponge....

1)Rinse sponge in sink and squeeze excess water
2)pour small amount of white vinegar on sponge
3) microwave for 2 minutes as above

Now your wet sponge is guaranteed sterile as it has just taken a hot acid bath. Also any grime attatched to the inside of your microwave is now loose and ready to be wiped off as it has had a hot acid bath.

Plus the vinegar kills the stinky sponge smell.

[Buzz Clik]

31. WARNING! DO NOT PUT HOT VINEGAR IN EYE.

[HughBeaumont]

33. THE GREEN MILE, People!

"Ah didn't know the sponge was supposed to be wet."



(SLUG!)