Keeping a sponge – or any surface, for that matter – completely bacteria free is like an unending game of Whack-A-Mole. Did you know that human skin naturally has residential bacteria that will re-establish even after you wash? Even the clean and perfectly safe water in our homes will likely have some harmless bacteria in it. This is completely normal and cannot be avoided.
Of course, once the bacteria from your body (both good and bad) has landed on your sponge, it is a different story. A sponge is a naturally damp and warm incubator that can grow bacteria quite quickly. And even though natural sea sponges uniquely have something of a ‘self-clean’ function, they still require some maintenance to stop bacteria from taking over.
In this article, we’ll explain how to clean your sponge to remove bacteria and share some tips to prevent and reduce how much bacteria thrives on your natural sea sponge.
How to clean bacteria from a sea sponge
Natural sea sponges are regarded as one of the best dead skin exfoliator products. They can help to reduce hard dead skin and even exfoliate the most sensitive skin types. However, even with the self cleaning funnel structure of a sea sponge, like every type of sponge, loofah or cloth , you’ll still gather some dead skin, grime, and bacteria.
So, cleaning the sponge on a regular basis is a highly recommended practice. We have a guide to cleaning and sterilizing sponges here at Naroa, as well as articles exploring Do Natural Sponges Hold Bacteria? and Can You Use Soap on a Natural Sponge?
No sponge can ever be bacteria free, as to always keep your sponge free of bacteria, you would need to clean it after every use, which is quite impractical. So, save the deep clean for a regular schedule or after heavy use, and follow these tips in-between.
Tips to keep sponges bacteria free
Reducing the bacteria that can grow in your sea sponge revolves around making it a bad environment for bacteria. We know that bacteria like damp, dark, and warm conditions, so let’s focus on the opposite.
- Rinse your sponge after every use to flush out any grime,
- Gently squeeze the sponge to remove excess water (don’t twist or pull),
- Place the sponge in an open-air area, such as near an open window,
- Ensure that the area has natural light, so the sponge is in a bright position rather than hidden in the corner,
- Allow the sponge to dry completely between uses.
Following these tips should effectively reduce bacteria growth and prevent the possibility of mold growth. If your bathroom stays quite humid all day long, consider storing your sponge in a dry area of your home instead.
Finally, you can also choose a naturally antimicrobial soap or gel. For example, tea tree oil soaps cleanse your body of bacteria and the sponge too as they are antibacterial and antifungal. You will still need to clean your sponge regularly of course!
Best dead skin exfoliators at Naroa
At Naroa, we specialize in sea sponges. Not only are they the best dead skin exfoliator sponges, but they also have a natural self-clean function. Growing naturally on the seabed, sea sponges have an intricate structure of channels that allow water to pass through them.
Compared to synthetic and other cloths or sponges, a sea sponge is generally much more hygienic. Did you know that they are hypoallergenic too? Explore our luxurious sea sponges at Naroa to enhance your skincare routine.