Sponges can be used in a variety of ways, and there are lots of types of sponges available in the market today that can be used for a variety of purposes. One of the best uses of sponges is that they can be used as cleaning tools, and today, many cleaning sponges are made of non-biodegradable plastic. Unfortunately, these kinds of sponges impose a severe threat to the environment because they are not biodegradable, and they survive for hundreds of years, disturbing the ecosystem. So, when you go out to get sponges the next time around, opt for cellulose sponges because they can do the same kind of work as the regular sponge-like cleaning up your kitchen and dishes, but they are biodegradable in nature, and they also do not cause any harm to the environment.
A cellulose sponge, as its name suggests, is made up of cellulose. Cellulose is material taken from plants, and they make up the walls of a plant cell, making them environment-friendly, biodegradable, and safe to use. After mixed with hemp fibers and sodium sulphate crystals, they are heated up and cut to sizes. Then they are bleached and rinsed. Although they are very good at doing their job, they also absorb food particles and germs. So, it is advised to clean and disinfect and replace your cellulose sponges regularly for best practice.
You must also clean your sponge at regular intervals. You can do so by soaking the sponge in a mixture of one part bleach and nine parts water for a couple of minutes. Then wring it out and let them air dry. This kills almost 99.9% of three bacteria strains, making the sponge safe to use. You can also clean your sponge by saturating them with water and then heating them on high heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. But before putting it in the microwave, ensure that your sponge doesn’t have any metallic scrubs attached to it. You can also soak your cellulose sponge in full-strength vinegar for five minutes and then rinse it dry.
Reference:
Options , H.E.A.L.T.H.Y. 2018. Why-you-should-use-cellulose-sponges. 9 June . Why You Should Use Cellulose Sponges. [Online]. [7 August 2021]. Available from: https://www.healthyoptions.com.ph/articles/why-you-should-use-cellulose-sponges