Kitchen guide: How often should I actually change my dishwashing sponge?

"How often do you actually change your kitchen cloth?" When I put this question to my editorial colleagues, the first, unanimous answer was an awkward silence. This was followed - after a short pause - by very different answers. They ranged from "every two days" to "every time I move into a new flat".

So my question was justified. This is shown not only by the different answers, but also by various studies: A total of 362 different types of bacteria can romp around in your kitchen cloth or sponge. This was the result of a joint study by various universities. Study leader Markus Egert spoke of concentrations "that are otherwise only found in faecal samples".

Change every week

Bacteria can grow and thrive ideally in the moist rag environment. With up to four million microorganisms per millilitre, the hygiene officer in your kitchen becomes a real germ spinner - especially if you use it to remove food residues such as raw meat. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) therefore recommends changing it once a week.

Is it time for some new sponges or cloths? Then take a look in the shop. The cleaning cloths from Zone Denmark are particularly popular with our users. They are made from 100 per cent cotton. According to reviews, they are practical because "they are easy to wash and dry quickly".

Cleaning utensils

EUR34,36

Zone Denmark Cleaning cloth set of 3

3 pcs.

69

Cleaning utensils

EUR34,36

Zone Denmark Cleaning cloth set of 3

3 pcs.

69

What else you should consider

The BfR has the following additional tips on the topic of kitchen cloths:

• Rather than a sponge, use a cloth and brush: "Sponges are less suitable because they dry slowly and are usually not replaced often enough."
• Wash the used cloth at 60 degrees. You can put the dishwashing brush in the dishwasher.
• Even if you wash them at 60 degrees, you should dispose of your dishcloths regularly, as the bacteria can multiply more quickly over time depending on the degree of soiling.
• After use, rinse and wring out the cloth thoroughly
• then hang it up wide and allow it to dry thoroughly

The following shop products will help you with the latter by giving your cloth a permanent home:

Dish drainers

Brabantia SinkStyle

2

Dish drainers

Happy Sinks Sink cloth holder

30

Brabantia, for example, offers you the option of combining washing-up liquid, a sponge holder and a hanger for the cloth with the Sink Style. But you can also go more minimalist with the dishcloth holder from Happy Sinks, which is fixed in the sink with a suction button. My colleague Martin Jungfer has already tested it for you

By the way: As well as cloths, tea towels can also turn into a germ spinner. That's why they should also be replaced once a week and washed at 60 degrees. You should also have two separate cloths for hands and dishes.