Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Microwave experiments cause sponge disasters
Reuters ^ | 01/25/07

Posted on 01/25/2007 6:18:32 AM PST by presidio9

Reports about a study that found microwave ovens can be used to sterilize kitchen sponges sent people hurrying to test the idea this week -- with sometimes disastrous results.

ADVERTISEMENT

A team at the University of Florida found that two minutes in the microwave at full power could kill a range of bacteria, viruses and parasites on kitchen sponges.

They described how they soaked the sponges in wastewater and then zapped them. But several experimenters evidently left out the crucial step of wetting the sponge.

"Just wanted you to know that your article on microwaving sponges and scrubbers aroused my interest. However, when I put my sponge/scrubber into the microwave, it caught fire, smoked up the house, ruined my microwave, and pissed me off," one correspondent wrote in an e-mail to Reuters.

"First, the sponge is worthless afterwards so you have to throw it out instead of using it. And second your entire house stinks like a burning tire for several hours, even with windows/doors open," complained another.

Aaron Hoover, a press officer at the University of Florida, said several other news organizations received similar complaints, although no one had complained directly to the university.

"We figured, 'wow, we better let people know right away that the sponge should be wet,"' Hoover said in a telephone interview.

The university issued the following advisory: "To guard against the risk of fire, people who wish to sterilize their sponges at home must ensure the sponge is completely wet. Two minutes of microwaving is sufficient for most sterilization. Sponges should also have no metallic content. Last, people should be careful when removing the sponge from the microwave as it will be hot."


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: microwave; sponge; usemorebleach
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-135 next last
To: ChildOfThe60s

These days you have to somewhat hint or specify when you earned your degree.
I have a boss who has degrees, certifications, etc and is 'not the sharpest rock in the box' if that mangling of proverbial sentiment expresses the 'image.'
Degrees in modern times, depending on what area of specialty, are mostly about as valuable as bathroom tissue.
Colleges in my area are cranking out mindless degreed drones that have MBA's but no brains to match.


101 posted on 01/25/2007 9:36:38 AM PST by Darksheare (Hey, you're curious reader #[an error occurred while processing this directive] to reach the end.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 99 | View Replies]

To: MHalblaub

That is just disgusting.


102 posted on 01/25/2007 9:56:13 AM PST by Politicalmom ("Always vote for principle...and your vote is never lost."-John Quincy Adams)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: Slings and Arrows
Like I told you before, Nirmal...You can't idiot proof idiots.



Now please play Stairway To Heaven, Rajiv.
103 posted on 01/25/2007 9:59:13 AM PST by sully777 (You have flies in your eyes--Catch-22)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

"James Lewis, get away for that wheelbarrow. You know you doesn't know nothin' 'bout machinery!"
---Brother Dave Gardner


104 posted on 01/25/2007 11:16:19 AM PST by gcruse (http://garycruse.blogspot.com/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Izzy Dunne
people should be careful when removing the sponge from the microwave as it will be hot.

Do they think that people think there might be some other purpose for placing objects in the microwave?

Then again, we're talking about the general populace....Never mind...

105 posted on 01/25/2007 12:29:22 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: CholeraJoe

Anything I want to dry quickly, I lay on the floor in front of the refrigerator. Every time it runs, it blows nice warm air out the front bottom. Great for drying the insides of boots, shoes, and gloves.


106 posted on 01/25/2007 12:31:57 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: zerosix

Well, the dishwasher cleans hard surfaces well but I don't think would be effective in cleaning all the tiny cavities in a sponge. Also, I don't have a dishwasher, other than the 2-legged kind ;^)


107 posted on 01/25/2007 12:32:02 PM PST by visualops (artlife.us)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek

That's the best thing that could happen to SpongeBob, IMO. My daughter saw part of an episode once and said she could feel her IQ dropping.


108 posted on 01/25/2007 12:33:05 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Darksheare

Actually, I got my degree in 1975. However, it is a degree in Sociology, which probably counts against me. Still, I consider myself to have a superior education than many with more recent degrees. Plus, I'm smarter /snicker


109 posted on 01/25/2007 6:14:19 PM PST by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s......you weren't really there)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 101 | View Replies]

To: 2ndreconmarine; Fitzcarraldo; Covenantor; Mother Abigail; EBH; Dog Gone; ...

ping...


110 posted on 01/26/2007 10:22:47 AM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #111 Removed by Moderator

Comment #112 Removed by Moderator

To: presidio9

DON'T DO THIS AT HOME! :-)

You can use your microwave to create a self sustaining glowing plasma.

(You can also use your microwave to determine the speed of light)


113 posted on 01/26/2007 11:16:25 AM PST by RadioAstronomer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: presidio9
The Microwaved Peeps Project
114 posted on 01/26/2007 11:37:15 AM PST by Mr. K (Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CholeraJoe
I've got to ask. Why did you try to dry your credit cards? Couldn't you have just wiped them off?

L

115 posted on 01/27/2007 12:07:50 AM PST by Lurker (Europeans killed 6 million Jews. As a reward they got 40 million Moslems. Karma's a bitch.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: babygene

That would take an awful long lead at 2450 mHz. The speed of light divided by that is 1.2 meters. Where can you get a 30 centimeter mechanical pencil lead?


116 posted on 01/27/2007 1:51:15 AM PST by HiTech RedNeck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck

Oops, 3e8 not 3e9. 3 cm would do it. Somewhat over an inch.


117 posted on 01/27/2007 1:53:14 AM PST by HiTech RedNeck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]

To: nnn0jeh

ping


118 posted on 01/27/2007 1:54:11 AM PST by kalee (No burka for me....EVER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chuckles

I agree with everything you said, but what has it got to do with microwaving sponges? :)


119 posted on 01/27/2007 2:02:03 AM PST by kalee (No burka for me....EVER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: visualops
Well, the dishwasher cleans hard surfaces well but I don't think would be effective in cleaning all the tiny cavities in a sponge.

Yup, it also would just hold detergent and other grodiness that would redeposit on the dishes.

Laundry would not be much better since agitation doesn't do much to squeeze the sponges.

I take the simple approach and always assume the counter top and stove top no matter how well wiped to be loaded with bacteria. And I don't want to be messing around with bleach all the time, the fumes are irritating. So I don't put food directly on it or lay utensils on it that need to be kept clean. I set such items on paper towels, paper plates, or on a clean dish.

120 posted on 01/27/2007 2:04:32 AM PST by HiTech RedNeck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 107 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-135 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson