lots of sponges
I must change the sponge every time I do the dishes. I hate sponges, and our dishwasher is broken. It makes me gag, and I’d rather leave the dishes in the sink for a week before I use an old sponge. Even though that has probably more germs sitting there.
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i just cringed at the idea of you leaving dishes in the sink for a week. i can’t go to bed even knowing there is a dirty spoon in the sink, i won’t sleep. but i can relate to your issue with sponges, they smell and i keep mine in a cabinet when im done with it so i dont have to think about it sitting at the back of my sink.
I put my slightly wet sponge in the microwave every so often (once a month?) for about 20 seconds. It comes out steamy and any smell or germs have been eradicated. It also seems puffier like a brand new sponge. Try it!
I can’t leave dishes in the sink. I don’t use sponges. I use a new dishcloth every day. I NEVER use a dishwasher, at least not to wash dishes. It’s extra storage for tupperware and such. Too many dishes sitting there not put away or waiting to be washed; the soap is too expensive; by the time you scrape, rinse, and stack them in there you could have all your dishes washed and put in the cabinets.
you’re right that sponges/dishclothes can be nasty and germy. you don’t necessarily have to change them every day, tho. you can keep a little bowl with some water & a small amount of bleach by the sink and put them in it. it’s good to wipe down your counters with the bleach solution, too. restaurant kitchens use new sponges and towels throughout the day, but we have laundry service! i use handiwipes and scrubber sponges for one week and then use them to scrub out the sinks and dishpan with softscrub, then replace. works for me, and not as wasteful.