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David K. Israel
IQ-Tips
by David K. Israel - July 28, 2006 - 10:47 AM

sponge.jpgI know you’re all looking forward to the Weekend Word Wrap (wait for it!), but I thought I’d get Friday rolling with a new section I’m going to call IQ-Tips. (ed. note to Johnson & Johnson: we’re happy to lend you our brand name!)

In the end, these weekly tips might not increase your IQ all that much, but you’ll still probably be glad to have ‘em, if only to arm you with yet one more piece of trivia that’ll impress your friends.

Today’s IQ-Tip is simple: Wash your sponges.

Yes, I realize the implied silliness in the idea, but if you have a dishwasher, throwing your sponges on the top shelf every time you run it will not only increase a sponge’s “sinklife,” but will also have it smelling like new again.

My mother, who’s visiting from back east, is the one who suggested it when the condition of our sponges caused her to screw up her face like she’d just smelt spoiled milk.

Embarrassed, I tried it yesterday. And whaddaya know? It works!

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Comments (7)

  1. I’ve heard you can also throw them in the microwave (though I’ve heard varying times necessary), for those of us without a dishwasher. Comments?

    posted by dan on 7-28-2006 at 12:08 pm

  2. My oracle of a mother is here until Monday. I’ll ask her. And meanwile, thanks for the tip!

    posted by David on 7-28-2006 at 12:29 pm

  3. I’m with David–My mom, also an authority on this stuff, taught me to put them in the dishwaser as well.

    posted by Hilary on 7-28-2006 at 12:59 pm

  4. by the way, I love the name “IQ-Tips.” Genius.

    posted by Mangesh on 7-28-2006 at 1:21 pm

  5. I’ve read that there is more bacteria in the kitchen than the bathroom. For Dan and others without dishwashers: microwave on high for 2 minute

    posted by Linda~the visiting mom on 7-28-2006 at 1:56 pm

  6. I think you’re supposed to put it in with white vinegar in the microwave…I’ve also heard some lemon juice…

    posted by sasha on 7-29-2006 at 2:45 am

  7. Microwave untill it steams. That steam kills the bacteria. Lemon juice will make it smell fresh.

    posted by B on 9-27-2007 at 9:53 am

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