How to Remove Mold From Sponges and Dish Cloths

If Not Dried, Dish Rags and Sponges Can Mildew and Make People Sick

Sep 13, 2009

Many people avoid the dishwasher and clean their dishes the old-fashioned way. What they don't realize is those sponges and dish cloths may be harboring dangerous mold.

For people who don't use a dishwasher, washing dishes by hand is often a nightly ritual. Some people even wash their dishes several times a day-after breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack in the evening.

Unfortunately, those same people who're trying to keep their dishes clean fail to realize they might be harboring a lot of mold in the sponges and dish cloths they use, and transferring that mold to the items they're washing.

Sponges and dish cloths that have an odd, often musty smell are particularly suspect when it comes to gauging whether they're holding mold. People don't usually get sick from using dish cloths or sponges that have that musty smell, but it's not impossible. It can also make family members more prone to allergies or other, more minor sicknesses because they're getting so much exposure to mold and mildew on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are easy ways to kill the mold and keep a family healthier.

Most people today own a microwave. Putting a wet dish sponge in the microwave for one full minute can kill almost all bacteria, germs, and mold that might be present. Anyone who does this should be sure to let the sponge set for a minute afterward, because getting burned by an overheated sponge is a real possibility otherwise.

Also, don't microwave a sponge that isn't wet. It could catch fire. The same is true for a dish cloth, as these can catch fire, as well. Sponges and dish cloths shouldn't be dripping water when they're placed in the microwave, but they should be at least completely damp. Getting them wet, wringing them out, and then putting them straight into the microwave works well.

For people who have a dishwasher, it's a good idea to run a sponge or dish cloth through a full cycle. It will kill 99% of the bacteria and germs in it, including mold. When using the dishwasher for this purpose, don't take the sponge or dish cloth out without allowing it to go through the drying cycle, too. Taking it out when it's still damp and not letting it dry completely defeats the purpose of running it through the dishwasher to kill mold.

Kill Mold in Sponges and Dish Cloths the Old-Fashioned Way

For people who don't have dishwashers or microwaves, or for people who don't want to use them, there are other ways to destroy mold in sponges and dish cloths. A bleach-and-water solution to soak dish cloths and sponges in can work to kill mold. Another way, although not the best or most reliable choice, is to make sure that any items used to wash dishes or clean other surfaces dry thoroughly. Leaving them damp is asking for trouble.

Depending on the climate a person lives in, he might have more or less trouble with mold and mildew. Desert environments generally have less mold than damp environments, but the humidity level in the home-especially in the kitchen and bathroom-play a much more crucial role than the humidity level outside. That's true of mold growth in sponges and dish cloths, and also true of mold growth in other items and areas of the home.

Resources to Tackle Mold in Sponges and Dish Cloths:

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