You know that smell. The one that hits you when you pick up the sponge after a day of cooking fish or garlic. A smelly sponge is not just gross, it is a bacteria farm sitting next to your clean dishes.

I used to just replace sponges every week and feel wasteful about it. Then I learned the microwave trick, and now one sponge lasts me a full month without smelling like anything.

The Microwave Method

Get the sponge thoroughly wet first. A dry sponge in the microwave is a fire risk, so soak it, squeeze it, and soak it again. Then microwave it on high for two minutes.

Let it cool completely before touching it. The sponge will be hot enough to burn you, and the steam inside is even hotter.

Why It Works

Microwaving kills most of the bacteria that cause the smell. Studies have shown it is one of the most effective home methods, beating boiling and the dishwasher for killing germs on sponges.

Know the Limits

This works for plain cellulose and nylon sponges. Do not microwave sponges with metal scrubby pads on them, and skip sponges with heavy food debris stuck inside. Rinse the sponge out first.

When to Just Throw It Away

If the sponge is falling apart, has a strong smell even after microwaving, or you cannot remember when you bought it, replace it. A sponge costs a dollar. A stomach bug costs a lot more.

Two minutes in the microwave once a week keeps my sink smelling like nothing at all, which is exactly how a sink should smell.