AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question Hi Carol,
I change my kitchen sponge, cloth, and towel everyday. I also use bleach when I wash them to make sure they are hopefully free of bacteria. Because of the bleaching I have the the ugliest looking cloths and towels.
My question is do I really have to bleach them to keep them bacteria free?
Thanks much,
Janice
Answer Hi Janice,
Washing the sponge with bleach daily is a good idea, but washing your cloths and towels in the washing machine is sufficient for killing bacteria. Chlorine is very hard on fabric (not only taking the color out but weakens the fibers) so I suggest only bleaching them periodically, if at all. Washing with soap in medium to hot water, then drying either in a hot dryer or by hanging, is sufficient for killing bacteria.
When washing the sponge you only need to add 1 scant bleach capful per gallon of water. Wash the sponge in soapy water, rinse in clear water then allow the sponge to soak in the bleach water for at least 1 minute. Take the sponge out and then allow to dry.
Amazingly, adding more bleach than 1 scant capful does not make it safer. In fact, using too much bleach is toxic.
