Where do you keep your sponge?
lisadlu
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (28)
kateskouros
13 years agokitchenaddict
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Where do you keep your cleaning supplies?
Comments (31)I'm still working on my organization and even the type of cleaners that I use regularly. I also very much wish to purge much of the "cleaners and cleansers" stuff that I have. I still have 3 packed boxes from my move (U-Haul smalls) with everything from sifter refills to cat deoderizers in them. Much of this stuff I don't use anymore. For instance I don't have the swifter anymore, but I have refills for it :( I find that my "main stuff" is: 1) a bottle of Green Apple Lysol spray cleaner. I use this almost everywhere. 2) a bottle of no-drip Windex. Windows, mirrors, glass. 3) dishwasher detergent 4) hardwood floor cleaner in a spray bottle. I had hardwood floors installed in my new home and this is essential. Don't know what the stuff really is. Probably something "common", but I got it since it was recommended my floorer. I use the microfiber pads that attach to a mop thingee and have several of them. I've gone thru a few and have to put all of this stuff into a "rags" load of laundry. Haven't yet. I also use just clean whites rags and often just paper towels with this stuff too for wiping up spills that happen on the hardwood floors. 5) a sprayer bottle that I keep a mixture of water and clear dish soap. I use this for most spills and spot treatments on my carpets or rugs. For most things this is all I need. Anything more complicated I wick up the spill with clean cotton rags and use the soap mixture and then call Coit for same day service. Okay I'm lame, but I don't like messing up my carpet. A whole cup of full strength espresso got spilled on my carpet at my old condo and while I got a lot out, Coit (a professional carpet cleaner) got most out and if I had them in right away I think it would have all gotten out. 6) clorox wipes. I know lazy perhaps. But I find them way too conveinent. I have containers of them all over the house, even one in my car.. 7) Orange-glo "wood cleaner". This is the slimy stuff. I use a clean rag and then desiginate the rag for only this stuff. I use this to dust and shine up all my wood furniture which is just about everything: dining room table, night stand, chest of drawers, telephone stand, end tables, TV tables, etc, etc. And then other stuff that doesn't get used as often, but has gotten used since I've been in my new house: 1) orange soft scrub (has bleach). use this on the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, the bathtub and its tiled walls. 2) stainless steel cleaner that came with my new frig. only used there. works like a charm. I'm too afraid to use anything else on the SS frig. I follow the "directions" on this. Is this a sham to sell this stuff? Would good ole Lysol spray cleaner do the trick? 3) disposable toliet cleaner doohickies. I used to just use jonny mops (oh and when I had multiple baths, one in each) and toliet bowl cleaner. but now I use the wand thing and the disposable thing. I think I have the Scrubbing Bubbles kind right now. That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure there's more. But truely if this is all I really seem to be using, when I get around to emptying those 3 boxes, it means I can just purge them. I guess time to freecycle, or something? I guess these could just be tossed? Or I guess put out on the curb when we have our Annual Cleanup done by the City. But I get the impression that these, some of the stuff at least, is considered "haz waste"? Thanks for any advice :) Cheers, --jans...See Moreno room for sink-tilt out-where do you keep your sponges?
Comments (20)I put my sponges through the dishwasher and then microwave them for 2 minutes. I also change out sponges often. However, I only use a sponge to scrub the sink. I use microfiber cloths for most other cleaning, including countertops. I have small microfiber dish cloths for hand washing, which is very seldom done. As far as the sponge dripping inside the cabinet, it is wrung out before it is put in the tray. I have never had any trouble with it drying. The tray holds a sponge, a brush, the disposer stopper, an SOS pad, and the wrench for the disposer (which I have never used, but you have to know where it is!)...See MoreDish cloth or sponge? And where do you store it between uses?
Comments (17)Sponges are horribly filthy- they hold bacteria even if you put them in the micro/dishwasher. I thought so too! But then I read a USDA report on putting sponges in the dishwasher with a hot dry cycle, and it said that it sterilized the sponge. I didn't believe it. So I let a sponge get stinky, brought home agar plates and sterile swabs from work (I teach physics and my lab is right next to the bio lab) and I streaked a plate. I put the sponge in the dishwasher with the heated drying cycle, and then streaked another plate. The first one was covered with colonies as you'd expect; the second was clean. Nothing was growing. It looked untouched. I had to change my tune. The dishwasher does a good job when you use the heated drying cycle. In fact, here's the USDA paper's conclusion: "Thus microwave heating and dishwashing with a drying cycle proved to be the most effective methods for inactivating bacteria, yeasts and molds on sponges. These simple and convenient treatments can help ensure that contaminated sponges don't spread foodborne pathogens around household kitchens of today's busy families." Here is a link that might be useful: The entire article...See MoreWhat do you have at your kitchen sink to hold soap/sponge, etc.?
Comments (48)I use a "berry dish" to hold my sponge. I got mine at Kohl's. It comes in different colors and has drainage slots. I put it on top of my sink corner so that water can drain into the sink. On the other side, I have a tray in a similar color from Pier 1. It's very sturdy and has never chipped, so I went back to Pier 1 and bought a second one to rest my salt and pepper grinders on....See MoreUser
13 years agomelissastar
13 years agomegradek
13 years agocsremodel
13 years agocountrygirl217
13 years agocat_mom
13 years agopolly929
13 years agogwentm
13 years agosara_the_brit_z6_ct
13 years agodlr98004
13 years agoBuehl
13 years agokidshop
13 years agobrickeyee
13 years agoBuehl
13 years agodoraville
13 years agolindiver
13 years agocruisedirector
13 years agotwosit
13 years agocross_stitch
13 years agowestsider40
13 years agosabjimata
13 years agoboxerpups
13 years agobrickton
13 years agoAlisa Boo
2 years agokculbers
2 years ago
Related Stories
KITCHEN DESIGNYour Kitchen: Where to Stash the Dish Towels
Solve the Dish Towel Dilemma With 13 Ways to Keep Them Handy and Dry
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNBathroom Storage: Where to Keep the Towels
Clever nooks, rails and baskets keep fluffy towels right at hand
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNBathroom Storage: Where to Keep the TP?
The Houzz community steps in with 19 tidy toilet paper storage solutions
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNWhere Should You Put the Kitchen Sink?
Facing a window or your guests? In a corner or near the dishwasher? Here’s how to find the right location for your sink
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESWhere to Splurge, Where to Save in Your Remodel
Learn how to balance your budget and set priorities to get the home features you want with the least compromise
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGHow to Clean Stainless Steel
Protect this popular kitchen material with a consistent but gentle cleaning routine
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Storage Solutions Hide and Keep
Rollout drawers, pullout cabinets and slide-in doors are just a few of the options for keeping kitchen items out of sight but close at hand
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGHow to Keep Your White Spaces Looking Great
Brighten up your white walls, floors and furniture with these cleaning and maintenance tips
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGHow to Keep Your Outdoor Furniture Looking New
Give cushions and wicker, teak or metal frames a little regular TLC to help them last
Full Story
Laurie