The microwave method to disinfect sponges has its advantages. And an important risk to consider

Kitchen hygiene can avoid the occasional health problem. Kitchens are propitious areas for The appearance of microorganismssome of them with the ability to cause us infections.

Keeping the kitchen clean is therefore important but sometimes the solution to this problem hides a similar threat. In our kitchens, rags and cloths that we use to clean can hide new microorganisms that reduce our effectiveness when cleaning.

To avoid this problem, it is advisable to change this type of cleaning utensils, utensils such as sponges with which we scrub the dishes. This is undoubtedly the best way to ensure that our cleaning utensils are found Perfectly disinfectedbut most likely that, by economy or by disgust, we end up stretching the useful life of these objects more than the account.

So it can also be useful to know ways to keep germs at bay in our sponges and in similar objects. Cleaning products such as bleach are used in many homes to fulfill the function of disinfecting cloths and rags. Although this solution is generally effective, we must be cautious to avoid the possible mixture between cleaning products, which could imply other types of risks.

In the case of sponges, there is an alternative: Use heat To sterilize them. The “microwave trick” It consists of soaking the sponges and introducing them for a minute in the microwave. This system is effective to eliminate some pathogenic microorganisms, but there are some aspects to take into account so that this trick does not imply more risks than advantages.

The first thing we should ask is, is it something? The answer is that yes, heating our sponges with a microwave can end some of the microorganisms that proliferate inside. But not with everyone.

In the case of sponges, there is an alternative: use heat to sterilize them. The “microwave trick” It is effective To eliminate some pathogenic microorganisms, but there are some aspects to take into account so that this trick does not imply more risks than advantages.

The first thing we should ask is, is it something? The answer is that yes, heat our sponges with a microwave You can end some of the microorganisms that proliferate inside. But not with everyone.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Florida and published in 2006 in the magazine Journal of Environmental Health He tested the method. The team He immersed a sponge in waters contaminated by a variety of pathogens, including different types of bacteria, viruses and parasitic organisms. They observed that two minutes at maximum power served to eliminate 99% of these.

Subsequent studies validated this analysis. For example, in One published in 2009 In the magazine Food Controlit was observed that a minute of microwave action generated a greater reduction in the number of pathogens in the sponge than a disinfectant chemical treatment.

Double -edged sword

Using the microwave can be an effective way to inactivate hidden pathogens in our sponges but also presents an important risk that may be dissuasive: The fire.

The sponges, heated in the microwave, They can burn. This will not only prevent us from fulfilling our goal of extending the useful life of this object, it can also mean a important risk if the fire extends. That is why those who propose the use of microwave as a disinfectant tool to emphasize Some precautions to take:

The first is not to introduce sponges containing adhered metal elements. Second, the sponge must be soaked before being introduced to the microwave. Thirdly, we must take into account that with a minute at maximum power, it should be sufficient to achieve our goal and, in any case, not have the microwave on for more than two minutes. Finally, it will be better to let the sponge cool before removing it, not because of the risk of fire but to avoid burns.

There are other alternatives if we want to avoid the risk of seeing our sponge to burn. We have already pointed out the possibility of cleaning them with a chemical disinfectant such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in water solution. The 2009 study Posted in Food Control He pointed out Another alterative also effective: To wash the sponges in the dishwasher (if we have one of these devices, of course). According to the study, method can be as effective as that of the microwave and more than the use of chemical disinfectants such as those in our homes.

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Image | Xataka with Gemini