Kitchen hygiene experts recommend dish brushes over sponges

Food safety specialists are warning against the long-term use of traditional kitchen sponges due to the risk of bacterial proliferation. The porous structure of synthetic sponges, combined with constant moisture, creates an ideal environment for microorganisms to thrive.

According to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), these bacteria can form a resistant layer known as a biofilm. Once established, this biofilm makes conventional cleaning with detergent ineffective, potentially spreading contaminants to dishes, cutlery, and food preparation surfaces instead of removing them.

As an alternative, experts recommend using dish brushes. Unlike sponges, brushes feature synthetic bristles that do not retain water, allowing for rapid drying and inhibiting the formation of bacterial colonies.