microwave sterilisation

[Coldicote]

A few days ago I read on TV text pages that scientists at an American university had found a few minutes in a microwave was an effective way of sterilising domestic items such as bath sponges and pot scrubbers. Seems not a bad idea subject to advice re fire safety. Did anyone else read it? What do you think?

[gen2]

I am pretty sure it is not the microwaves that sterilise the items, but rather the heat generated. Placing your dishcloth in a conventional oven could be just as effective (but take a little longer).

In both cases the items could easily catch fire and this procedure is NOT recommended. At least one fire has already been caused by someone following this "advice".

If you really must do it, then make sure you thoroughly wet them first and keep them 'rare' rather than 'well done'.

[fo3nix]

I agree with gen2.

You're better off putting them in a pan of boiling water on the hob and leaving them for 10 minutes or so.

[SteveD]

See here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/630189 3.stm

and here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6293735.stm

[Coldicote]

Many thanks for these informative replies - worth making known whenever one has the opportunity.

[Kingaroo]

I betcha the lady whose kitchen caught fire had put her sponge in there for way too long. I do it all the time, set for one minute. The water in the wet sponge gets very hot - same as reheating a cup of coffee.

If you are worried, instead you can throw the sponge in the dishwasher when it runs.