Shocking Reason to Ditch Your Old Sponges Now And When to Replace Them

Old sponges harbor a build-up of bacteria.
Posing health risks that can lead to food poisoning, diarrhea, and, in rare instances, even encephalitis.
Experts recommend replacing them every month.

Kitchen sponges we commonly use harbor a build-up of bacteria, so they should be replaced frequently.

On March 12, according to Sanook, Jessada, a science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, shared their belief that “sponges should be replaced every month.”

The Public Health Department and Thailand’s Fake News Suppression Center also shared, “Sponges that have been used for too long and are disintegrating can harbor bacteria, therefore, need to be frequently replaced.”

They also mentioned, “Sponges are a household essential, but keeping them too long will harbor bacteria.”

Sponges can harbor bacteria well because they tend to stay damp after being used to clean and wipe away dust, making it easy for bacteria to accumulate. Jessada recommends replacing them every month.

Because old sponges can harbor a lot of bacteria, they warned there’s a chance that microbes can be transferred when washing the dishes.

This can pose a health risk as some bacteria can lead to illnesses like food poisoning, diarrhea, and, in rare instances, even encephalitis. It’s best to replace your sponges every month.