Don’t throw away old sponges after using them at home – there are many ideas on how to reuse them at home.
Whether it’s battered, dirty, discolored or smelly, the fate of a kitchen sponge is always to throw it away. Once the sponge has been used many times to wash dishes or do different household chores and in different ways around the house, we automatically get used to throwing it away and replacing it with a new sponge. But probably not everyone knows that there are different ways to recycle old sponges, even the most worn ones. Let’s take a look at them together!
Don’t throw away old dishwashing sponges: they are worth their weight in gold. You can use them at home like this!
Experts recommend disposing of the dishwashing sponge every two weeks after use. In one study, a team of Norwegian researchers investigated how a sponge that we use frequently in the kitchen can become a habitat full of bacteria, even if it is washed frequently. Trond Møretrø, a researcher at the Norwegian Food Research Institute Nofima, emphasizes: “The sponge is wet and accumulates food debris, which also becomes nutritious food for the bacteria, which leads to rapid growth and multiplication of these bacteria.” The ability to reuse them for other purposes almost becomes a necessity, considering that we throw one away at least every two weeks.
To reuse an old sponge, it is recommended to clean and disinfect it thoroughly first: simply put the damp sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds or put it in the dishwasher along with the dishes to restore it, even if it is old and worn. . At this point, the used sponge can be recycled.
Old sponges, use them like this for your plants!
Have you always liked the idea of growing your own aromatic herbs? Well, with the help of a sponge, it’s easier than you imagine. Take out an old plate and place an old, damp sponge in the middle. Place the seeds on top and make sure that there is enough space between them for them to grow. Finally, place a glass bowl on top and place it on a windowsill or other surface that receives a lot of light. This creates a “greenhouse” environment for your seeds, perfect for healthy and vigorous growth of your seedlings.
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If you have houseplants that need frequent watering, it may be helpful to recycle one or more old sponges by placing them at the bottom of the vase and wetting them with water so that the plants retain moisture and do not dry out.
Putting old biscuits in the fridge – this solves a very annoying problem!
If your refrigerator emits unpleasant odors every time you open the door, a kitchen sponge can help you get rid of this problem. Sprinkle some baking soda on a damp sponge and place it in the refrigerator without it coming into direct contact with food. You will see that this absorbs the bad odors that are created in the refrigerator.
Be careful, not all sponges are created equal!
Of course, it is advisable to always use biodegradable cellulose sponges or, in any case, to make them with ecological materials so as not to pollute and protect the environment. So be careful and choose biodegradable sponges in the kitchen and not the green and yellow synthetic sponges (which are the most commonly used, as shown in the photo).
