Sponges develop musty odor quickly

Dear Heloise: Here's a problem that perhaps you or your readers could help me with:
I use plain, square sponges in my kitchen for wiping the counter, washing the occasional dish when I'm not ready to run the dishwasher, etc. I always rinse and squeeze them out when I'm finished. For the past two years, since I moved into a new home, a new sponge begins to smell of what I believe is mildew within two weeks, and even rinsing it in bleach only kills the smell for a day or two. Also, the smell stays on my hands, and I have to wash my hands again. I use the same anti-bacterial dish detergent and hand soaps I've always used. Do you or your readers have any idea why a sponge would develop an odor so quickly, and what I could do about it? Do you think water quality might be the culprit? Ella in Texas
Ella, we did some sponge research, and here is what we found out: Sponges that are damp and smell are more than likely harboring bacteria. Rinsing a sponge after each use is not enough to remove the bacteria. Sponge manufacturers suggest either putting the sponge in the dishwasher, being sure to use the heated dry cycle (you must secure the sponge on the top rack), or boiling the sponge (in water) for about five minutes. These methods work on cellulose sponges only. Sponges should be replaced often (their life span is usually only about six to eight weeks, depending on use). And some sponges have been treated so that they resist odors. So, check for this the next time you need a new sponge. Heloise
P.S.: Is there fresh air getting into the kitchen? Is moisture being taken out? Could it be well water? Did you move from a dry climate to a high-humidity one? These are all possibilities.
Dear Readers: Did you know that when you book a cruise, you might want to choose rooms that are at the water level and at midship, since these rooms usually have the best stability and the least rocking-and-rolling motion? Also, contact your doctor for medications if you are prone to motion sickness. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I just read your hints on getting the best results from your dryer. They were great. Ninety-nine percent of people have no idea how clogged the dryer pipe that runs through their house is! Dryer-vent fires are more common than chimney fires. The first sign that you might have a clogged dryer vent is if it takes more than one cycle to dry your clothes. Just having your dryer-vent ducts cleaned once a year makes all the difference in the world. Pat Combes, Springfield, Mo.
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