You wash the dishes with it every day: And yet you don’t know what colour means

Anyone who washes dishes by hand undoubtedly uses kitchen sponges. On the surface, they look like ideal helpers, but in reality they can pose risks. Let’s find out what these risks are and why each sponge in the pack is a different colour.

Clean or home to germs?

Whether you just want to clean the dishes or completely wash them by hand, sponges are the most common kitchen helpers. However, there is a paradox here, because we use them for the purpose of cleanliness, but the result is quite the opposite. Studies state that they contain millions of bacteria. In just two weeks of use, approximately 8 million bacteria cling to a sponge. This is due to the humidity, which is an ideal environment for bacteria, and also due to the adherence of food debris. Sponges can spread pathogens and can also transfer bacteria to surfaces or utensils and consequently to food.

So the ideal choice is to clean the sponges regularly to prevent extreme bacterial growth. Their usefulness could otherwise turn into a risk. There are several ways to rid them of dirt. One is to heat the sponge in the microwave on high power for 1 minute, you can also soak it in 10% bleach or 70% ethanol for 1 minute.

Colours are not just for effect

Manufacturers market sponges in different versions that vary in hardness, surface and purpose. What you may not know, however, is the reason for their colour differentiation. Many people probably believe that it is just an aesthetic feature, in fact the colours are intended to distinguish which surface the sponges should be used on.

The most commonly used colour of sponges is green, which is designed for hard scrubbing surfaces. This means it’s rougher and great to use on pots and pans, especially if they are burnt or have dried on food residue. Ideal use is on stainless steel, cast iron or sheet metal surfaces, while Teflon surfaces are strongly discouraged.

The opposite is the yellow sponge, which is used for cleaning delicate surfaces. It is very absorbent and soft, so use it to wash plates, cutlery or glasses. It’s very good for foaming detergents.

If you are looking for a sponge that does not damage sensitive surfaces, the blue sponge is the ideal choice. It contains no coarse fibres or particles. This makes it suitable for Teflon pots and pans, hobs, ceramics and stainless steel sinks.

A special group are the pink and red sponges, which are most often used for hygienic purposes. This means that they are mainly used in bathrooms. If you need to remove heavier soiling, a red sponge will do the job.

Less common are orange or purple sponges. They belong to the ecological or antibacterial group. They are usually not associated with a specific purpose of use, but rather point to an ecological aspect, such as production from recycled material.

Sponges are not just a simple cleaning product

Washing surfaces seems like a simple discipline, but if you use kitchen sponges, you should focus on their colour scheme. If you choose the wrong one, you may end up scratching the surface. Cleaning them is just as important to prevent bacteria from multiplying.