What is the difference between a red and a green dishwashing sponge: it turns out that not everyone knows about it yet

A dish sponge is an important kitchen accessory. It helps remove dirt and bacteria from dishes.

But not everyone knows that the color of the sponge is not just a decoration, but an indicator of its hardness and abrasiveness.

In this article, you will learn how to choose a dish sponge by color and how to use it.

What do the colors of the sponge mean?

The dish sponge consists of two parts: soft and hard. The colors of the sponge indicate how hard and abrasive the hard part is.

There are four primary colors:

• Green – the hardest and most abrasive, for very dirty dishes. Can scratch and damage dishes, not suitable for non-stick and fragile dishes.
• Blue – medium hard and abrasive, for regular dirty dishes. Can handle grease without damaging the dishes. Suitable for non-stick and Teflon cookware, but with caution.
• Red – soft and non-abrasive, for clean or slightly dirty dishes. Does not scratch or damage dishes, suitable for all types of dishes, including fragile and expensive ones.
• Yellow – universal and neutral, for any dishes except very dirty and dried. Has medium hardness and abrasiveness, not too aggressive and not too soft.

Suitable for non-stick, Teflon, glass and ceramic cookware, but not for metal or wood.

How to care for a sponge

A dish sponge is a consumable that needs to be changed and selected depending on the dish.

Here are some tips:

• Choose a sponge based on the color of the dishes you are going to wash. Do not use a sponge that is too hard or too soft.
• Wash the sponge after each use by rinsing it under water and squeezing out the moisture. Do not leave the sponge in water or on a wet surface to prevent the development of bacteria and fungi.
• Dry the sponge in a dry and ventilated place, for example, on a stand or on the edge of the sink. Do not dry the sponge on the radiator to avoid damaging it.
• Replace the sponge every 2-3 weeks, or more often if the sponge starts to smell strongly, becomes sticky, or changes color. Do not use an old or damaged sponge, as it may be hazardous to your health.

Conclusion

The dish sponge has different colors not by chance, but for a specific reason.

The colors of the sponge help you choose the right hardness and abrasiveness for different dishes.

You also need to properly care for the sponge so that it lasts a long time and does not harm your health.

Previously, we wrote about how and where you can use coffee in your home.