Weird question about sponges...

[Cozytoyhoard]

Weird question. When you hand wash dishes, do you use the same sponge for everything or do you use one sponge to rinse off food and another clean one to actually wash?

I am having an argument with my sister who doesn't seem to understand the 2 sponge system. But, like, why would you clean with the dirty sponge full of food particles???

EDIT: This has now become much more relevant cause I just ran the dishwasher for the first time and discovered it's leaking. Lord help me

 

[strawberrypony32]

Well, hear me out, I only use one sponge or steel brillo pad for scrubbing but then rinse and switch to a dish cloth. So technically the two sponge method but with a sponge/scrubber and a cloth!

 

[blueming]

Not sure, I use one sponge to clean off food particles and then put things in the dish washer

 

[Cozytoyhoard]

Well, hear me out, I only use one sponge or steel brillo pad for scrubbing but then rinse and switch to a dish cloth. So technically the two sponge method but with a sponge/scrubber and a cloth!

I could live with that, though I'm not a big fan of dish clothes. I used to use a scrub brush and then finish with a clean sponge but the brush kept scratching my pans so I just switched to two sponges lol.

The main thing that bothers me is that last thing you clean with should also be clean. Like, that just make sense right?

Not sure, I use one sponge to clean off food particles and then put things in the dish washer

Yeah, that's fine cause the dishwasher will sanitize them. It's just specifically the hand washing.

 

[Tak]

I use a green scrub pad or a clean wash cloth. The scrubbie never lasts more than a month before it gets moved to ‘shower duty’ . Then they just move on down to the next dirty thing. I greatly prefer washcloths that are reusable.

 

[Gingerbread]

When I wash dishes I just use 1 sponge. I usually rinse my dishes really well and rub any debris off with either my hand or I have a plastic scraper before soaping up. I don't usually have much stuff on my dishes cause I always rinse them really well immediately after use and then they either go in the dishwasher or wait to be handwashed after dinner. But once I'm washing I just use 1 sponge to wash them, then I rinse my sponge out well. I do always replace it the beginning of the month.

 

[Cozytoyhoard]

I use a green scrub pad or a clean wash cloth. The scrubbie never lasts more than a month before it gets moved to ‘shower duty’ . Then they just move on down to the next dirty thing. I greatly prefer washcloths that are reusable.

When my "dirty" sponge gets too old I move it to the cleaning supplies and my "clean" sponge becomes the new dirty sponge. Then I get to open a new one lol. I confess my grandma uses a washcloth for everything and it always grossed me out. She takes it straight from washing dirty dishes to wiping off the counter. I always get some kind of stomach bug after eating at her house. I know logically washcloths are fine but I just can't bring myself to clean with them. -_-;

When I wash dishes I just use 1 sponge. I usually rinse my dishes really well and rub any debris off with either my hand or I have a plastic scraper before soaping up. I don't usually have much stuff on my dishes cause I always rinse them really well immediately after use and then they either go in the dishwasher or wait to be handwashed after dinner. But once I'm washing I just use 1 sponge to wash them, then I rinse my sponge out well. I do always replace it the beginning of the month.

A scrapper seems logical. If I'm wearing gloves I don't bother using two sponges cause I can use my hands to rinse off the dishes. I like to throw my sponge into the silverware caddy every time I run a load, it seems to stretch the life out a little longer and keeps it from getting stinky.

 

[peaches2217]

Admittedly I use a brush instead of a sponge to wash my dishes; they’re excellent for people with SPD like me, and they’re cheap to replace because Dollar Tree has plenty of good options! Brushes also don’t develop a bad smell as they wear out, which is a huge plus.

That said, when it comes to sponges… I think I’d definitely go for the two-sponge system. It just makes sense to have a Dirty sponge and a Clean sponge. I’m with you; the thought of rinsing a dish using a sponge filled with food particles is just

 

[ActionHank]

ONE SPONGE TO RULE THEM ALL!!!

 

[Cozytoyhoard]

Admittedly I use a brush instead of a sponge to wash my dishes; they’re excellent for people with SPD like me, and they’re cheap to replace because Dollar Tree has plenty of good options! Brushes also don’t develop a bad smell as they wear out, which is a huge plus.

That said, when it comes to sponges… I think I’d definitely go for the two-sponge system. It just makes sense to have a Dirty sponge and a Clean sponge. I’m with you; the thought of rinsing a dish using a sponge filled with food particles is just

Oh yeah sensory issues get me too some. Especially with dishes I've let soak so now the food is wet and mushy *shudder*.

I may look into one of those scrub brushes again just to keep the peace with my sister. At least I can see if a brush is clean or not unlike a sponge that can harbor food particles D:

 

[Tak]

When my "dirty" sponge gets too old I move it to the cleaning supplies and my "clean" sponge becomes the new dirty sponge. Then I get to open a new one lol. I confess my grandma uses a washcloth for everything and it always grossed me out. She takes it straight from washing dirty dishes to wiping off the counter. I always get some kind of stomach bug after eating at her house. I know logically washcloths are fine but I just can't bring myself to clean with them. -_-;


A scrapper seems logical. If I'm wearing gloves I don't bother using two sponges cause I can use my hands to rinse off the dishes. I like to throw my sponge into the silverware caddy every time I run a load, it seems to stretch the life out a little longer and keeps it from getting stinky.

Ew! I use a fresh washcloth every day… sometimes two. We have cloth napkins, too.

Admittedly I use a brush instead of a sponge to wash my dishes; they’re excellent for people with SPD like me, and they’re cheap to replace because Dollar Tree has plenty of good options! Brushes also don’t develop a bad smell as they wear out, which is a huge plus.

That said, when it comes to sponges… I think I’d definitely go for the two-sponge system. It just makes sense to have a Dirty sponge and a Clean sponge. I’m with you; the thought of rinsing a dish using a sponge filled with food particles is just

I love my fingernail and scrub brushes!

ONE SPONGE TO RULE THEM ALL!!!

 

[AzaleaArt]

In my house we have a sponge that’s only for washing counters, and then we use specific scrubby sponge things called Dobies for dishes. We have a new one which is the nice cleaner looking one that gets used to actually wash the dishes, and we have the old grungy one that we use to scrub off the gross food first (and when the new one gets grungy we toss the old grungy one away lol).

 

[Cozytoyhoard]

In my house we have a sponge that’s only for washing counters, and then we use specific scrubby sponge things called Dobies for dishes. We have a new one which is the nice cleaner looking one that gets used to actually wash the dishes, and we have the old grungy one that we use to scrub off the gross food first (and when the new one gets grungy we toss the old grungy one away lol).

Yes! This is what I'm talking about

 

[AzaleaArt]

Yes! This is what I'm talking about

Haha well I hope you won the argument with your sister then

 

[Daintress]

I’m with @ActionHank on this one. One sponge. I put it through the laundry when I feel like it is no longer getting things clean and it comes out brand new and ready for another tour of duty. (Until it falls apart, at least.)

 

[Cozytoyhoard]

Haha well I hope you won the argument with your sister then

I think we've come to compromise of a brush + clean sponge cause she refuses to understand having two sponges out at the same time.

We both probably have adhd but I've had a lot more practice at managing it. Part of that is having systems developed to accommodate me; such as having two sponges that go in specific places so I know which one is which.

@ActionHank @Daintress

A sponge may not be the most hygienic way to clean dishes, study suggests, but there is an alternative | CNN

While not all bacteria are harmful, those that are -- like salmonella -- can spread from sponges to your hands and kitchen surfaces, according to a new study. Those bacteria can make people sick. Another option is more hygienic.

www.cnn.com

 

[Daintress]

I get you. That’s why I wash mine with the laundry.