You can imagine that its general manager, Diana Ciechorska, was surprised by this situation. Park Slope Cleaninga commercial and industrial cleaning service in New York and Miami, said kitchen sponges should be replaced every one to two weeks. “They come into frequent contact with food particles and moisture, which can lead to bacterial growth.”

Mause Ramirez, owner MCS Cleaning Services Inc.Even if sponges look clean, they can harbor bacteria, and you should clean them after every use, said Sponges, a professional residential and commercial cleaning company in San Francisco since 1995. Ciechorska recommends microwaving damp sponges for 1 to 2 minutes or throwing them in the dishwasher to clean.

Steel wool washers can rust, so he says to rinse thoroughly after each use and let them air dry completely. “Replace them every few weeks or when worn, as they can leave metal fibers behind.”

Dish brushes don’t need to be replaced that often, according to Ciechorska, about every three to four months, depending on the condition of the bristles. He recommends soaking brushes in hot water to remove vinegar (a more acidic vinegar than distilled white vinegar) or cleaning them with a mild disinfectant to keep them clean between uses.

Bottle brushes and brushes used to clean straws are softer than dish brushes, so Ciechorska says it’s recommended to replace them every one to two months. To clean them, they are rinsed thoroughly in hot soapy water after each use, and once a week they are soaked in a mixture of water and cleaning vinegar or run through the dishwasher (if dishwasher-safe).