Washing kitchen sponges bacteria

So say microbiologists in Scientific Reports. In an analysis of 14 used sponges, they found those that were disinfected by methods like being run through the dishwasher contained up to 6 times more bacteria than sponges that weren’t washed. The authors say if sponges aren’t cleaned properly, resistant bacteria that survive the sanitation process recolonize the sponge with more bugs. They advise replacing sponges at least twice a month.