To clean sponges and loofahs, soak them overnight in distilled white vinegar and water solution to remove the dirt and slime. Rinse several times with cold water and let air dry (in the sun if possible). The mixture should be two parts vinegar to one part water. This also works for shower scrubbies.
By Monica from Cortez, CO
This page contains the following solutions.
I use a covered sponge at the bathroom sink and the kitchen sink. To keep them fresh and last longer, on laundry day, I safety pin the two together and put in with a load of laundry.
Get more use out of your sponges without worrying so much about the germs. Rotate them. Say I have 3 sponges one red, one green, one yellow.
Tired of soggy sponges that could be breeding bacteria in your sink? Attach an everyday hair clip to the sponge to make it stand up - keeping it upright will help keep it dry.
Washing soda is best for cleaning sponges and cleaning cloths. It will remove soap, dirt, or anything else remaining within. Things caught in the sponge will cause odors as well as give germs a place to fester.
Once a week, sometimes more often, I gather all my cleaning cloths, dish towels, and sponges and do a small load of laundry with hot water, clothes soap, and bleach. The sponges get disinfected, smell wonderful, and I know they are clean.
Extend the life of your kitchen sponge by putting it in the dishwasher along with your dishes. By Sandra Gilbert
