Never Clean These 7 Things With A Sponge
I have always considered the kitchen sponge to be my ultimate cleaning tool. It sits right there by the sink ready to tackle any mess that happens. For the longest time I used it on absolutely everything without giving it a second thought. But I recently learned that this handy little helper is not the universal tool I thought it was. In fact using a sponge on certain things can actually make your messes much worse or cause damage.
Your Heavy Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron pans are incredibly tough but they actually need a gentle touch when it comes to cleaning. If you scrub that beautiful dark surface with a soapy wet sponge you are going to strip away the protective layer of seasoning. Even worse, the sponge holds onto water which is the biggest enemy of raw iron. It will cause your favorite skillet to rust almost instantly. A stiff brush and some warm water works much better here.
A Raw Egg Spill
Dropping an egg on the kitchen floor is a massive headache. Your first instinct is to grab the nearest sponge to soak up the gooey mess. But raw egg is the absolute worst thing for a sponge. The thick proteins get deeply trapped inside the tiny holes and refuse to wash out. If you use hot water to rinse it, you actually cook the egg right into the sponge. It is best to use a paper towel instead.
Raw Meat Mess
We all know that handling raw chicken or beef requires careful cleanup. It is so tempting to just grab your sponge to wipe up any spilled juices from the counter. Please don’t! Sponges are full of tiny holes that create the perfect dark and damp home for dangerous bacteria to spread and grow. If you wipe up meat juice you are basically guaranteeing that salmonella will spread to your dishes later. Just use paper towels instead.
Nonstick Frying Pans
Nonstick pans are a lifesaver for making eggs on a busy morning. The coating on them is designed to be slippery but it is also surprisingly delicate. Most kitchen sponges have that dark green abrasive scouring pad on one side. If you use that rough side to scrub your nonstick pan it will leave thousands of tiny microscopic scratches. Over time, the coating will start to flake off into your food. Use a soft cloth instead to be safe.
Wooden Cutting Boards
I love the look of a solid wood cutting board on the counter. Wood is a naturally porous material that needs special care to stay clean. If you scrub it heavily with a soaking wet sponge the wood will absorb far too much water. This causes the board to warp and eventually split right down the middle. Sponges also push bacteria deeper into the grain of the wood. A quick wash with a brush is much safer.
Delicate Crystal And Fine Glassware
If you are lucky enough to have some nice wine glasses or family crystal you know how fragile they feel in your hands. Taking a standard kitchen sponge to them is actually a really bad idea. That abrasive side that takes baked cheese off a casserole dish will leave a cloudy mess of tiny scratches all over your beautiful glass. To keep them sparkling and clear you just need a very soft cotton dishcloth and some gentle soap.
Shiny Stainless Steel Appliances
We all want our refrigerators and dishwashers to have that perfectly shiny mirror finish. When little sticky fingerprints show up, it is a natural reflex to wipe them down with a damp sponge. But sponges hold onto hard water minerals and tiny bits of grit from your dirty dishes. Wiping your fridge with a sponge will leave dull streaks and permanent scratches all over the door. A microfiber cloth is the only thing that should touch stainless steel.
Related Articles
-Why Your Kitchen Sponge Might Be Making Your Dishes Dirtier
-3 Types of Sponges You Need to Tackle Every Household Mess in Minutes
-10 Daily Habits That Make Your Home Smell Bad
It is funny how we get so attached to our habits. Realizing I was cleaning things the wrong way was a little humbling. But once you know better you can easily adjust your routine. Keep your sponge for the regular dirty plates and bowls. Grabbing a paper towel or a soft cloth for these tricky items will keep your home cleaner and protect the things you own. Your kitchen will definitely thank you.
Bliss Donahue-Power
