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Scientists employ common sense

We all wash up in hot water because we know that high temperatures kill germs. A team of scientists at the University of Florida have now applied this thinking to the washing implements themselves, and have been heating kitchen sponges in microwaves to kill off bacteria. The heat is apparently the main factor in destorying the harmful bacteria, rather than the radiation produced by the microwave. According to a report by the BBC, two minutes on full power will kill 99% of the bacteria on a damp sponge - with E. coli only taking 30 seconds.

We at The bdaily would not recommend trying this with metal scouring pads, however.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .