J Appl Microbiol September 2022 PMID 35560961

Bacterial levels and diversity in kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes used by consumers.

Trond Møretrø, Vânia B Ferreira, Birgitte Moen, Valérie L Almli, Paula Teixeira, Ida M Kasbo, Solveig Langsrud

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Mentions

21
Peak: 5 in Jun 2022
across 5 sources since Jun 2022

Extended reach

136,053
potential audience

Total likes

17

Video views

440

Mentions per month

Jun 2022 – Apr 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter10 posts
  • News7 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook1 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussion reflects a generally positive reception towards the study, with statements like ‘it might be time to throw away your sponge,’ indicating a practical impact. The tone varies from casual remarks to factual references to the bacteria levels and hygiene benefits, which demonstrates both curiosity and a desire to improve hygiene practices based on scientific evidence.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most posts acknowledge the study's findings, with some suggesting that brushes are more hygienic than sponges, though a few remain skeptical or neutral.

InterestModerate interest

Discussions express moderate interest, with mentions of practical implications like replacing sponges with brushes, but not deep dives into microbiological details.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts show some active engagement through sharing links, quoting findings, and debating hygiene practices, but lack in-depth analysis or personal experimentation.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversation hints at the potential influence on household cleaning habits, suggesting the study could motivate changes in everyday routines.

Abstract in brief

  • The study found that used dishwashing sponges generally had higher bacterial levels and diverse bacterial populations compared to brushes, with certain bacteria like Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas being common.
  • Salmonella bacteria decreased significantly in used brushes after drying overnight, especially when stored in dry conditions, but did not show the same reduction in sponges or brushes kept humid.
  • Overall, used brushes tended to have lower bacterial counts and Salmonella died faster in brushes than in sponges, suggesting that using brushes could be a more hygienic option for dishwashing.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
@AMI_JAMJournal
@AMI_JAMJournal · X

It might be time to throw away your sponge and pick up a brush. A new #openaccess study in @AMI_JAMJournal investigated bacterial levels and diversity in #kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes. Read the article below to find out more. #bacteriota https://t.co/gErH3tvp0i

Nov 30, 2023 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 235 followers View post →
Applied Microbiology International
@AMIposts · X

A study in Journal of Applied Microbiology showed that kitchen brushes harbour significantly fewer harmful bacteria than sponges - read the full story on @CNN below, or skip directly to the #openaccess article by clicking here! https://t.co/OABMevjhjP @wileymicrobio https://t.co/2IcmC8T5kD

Jun 8, 2022 · 4 likes · 4 shares · 29,234 followers View post →
Wiley Life Sciences
@WileyLifeSci · X

RT @SfAMtweets: A study in Journal of Applied Microbiology showed that kitchen brushes harbour significantly fewer harmful bacteria than sp…

Jun 8, 2022 · 4 shares · 64,764 followers View post →
Applied Microbiology International
@AMIposts · X

RT @AMI_JAMJournal: It might be time to throw away your sponge and pick up a brush. A new #openaccess study in @AMI_JAMJournal investigated…

Nov 30, 2023 · 2 shares · 29,234 followers View post →
Roberta Anding
@RobertaAnding · X

Bacterial levels and diversity in kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes used by consumers. Do we want to use cloths and wash after each use? https://t.co/uGVrpl9Yje

Jun 15, 2022 · 5,955 followers View post →
Bianca Swirlski-Queen Spam Pam, Beaver Czar
@BSwirlsi · X

Bacterial levels and diversity in kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes used by consumers https://t.co/TjikbURNwv

Mar 1, 2024 · 3,781 followers View post →

All mentions

Si Paling Kabupaten
@nanutraweuy · X

Yang sampe sekarang terutama cewe gak bisa ditinggalin, soalnya cowo sekali gue kasih tau langsung berubah wkwkwkwk 1. Spons yang dibiarkan terendam dalam air apalagi air sabun cuci itu adalah sarang bakteri https://t.co/VECwjFzwJM https://t.co/BE8J2U4J5s

Apr 30, 2025 · 727 followers View post →
Bianca Swirlski-Queen Spam Pam, Beaver Czar
@BSwirlsi · X

Bacterial levels and diversity in kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes used by consumers https://t.co/TjikbURNwv

Mar 1, 2024 · 3,781 followers View post →
Applied Microbiology International
@AMIposts · X

RT @AMI_JAMJournal: It might be time to throw away your sponge and pick up a brush. A new #openaccess study in @AMI_JAMJournal investigated…

Nov 30, 2023 · 2 shares · 29,234 followers View post →
@AMI_JAMJournal
@AMI_JAMJournal · X

It might be time to throw away your sponge and pick up a brush. A new #openaccess study in @AMI_JAMJournal investigated bacterial levels and diversity in #kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes. Read the article below to find out more. #bacteriota https://t.co/gErH3tvp0i

Nov 30, 2023 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 235 followers View post →
Dr Olivier Dufour
@dufour_dr · X

Article 2022: Bactéries et microbes dans les éponges à vaisselle: https://t.co/NH5k0W1upn #Recherche #Science #Science4All #Vlanx #Astronogeek #LivreAudio #ÉtienneKlein #DocPrimum #Aviscene #Asclépios #MagazineDeLaSanté #MarinaCarrèredEncausse #MichelCymes #JamyGourmand https://t.co/BzKxMSui7i

Feb 2, 2023 · 46 followers View post →
Roberta Anding
@RobertaAnding · X

Bacterial levels and diversity in kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes used by consumers. Do we want to use cloths and wash after each use? https://t.co/uGVrpl9Yje

Jun 15, 2022 · 5,955 followers View post →
Flyy Science
@flyyscience1 · X

RT @SfAMtweets: A study in Journal of Applied Microbiology showed that kitchen brushes harbour significantly fewer harmful bacteria than sp…

Jun 8, 2022 · 4 shares · 1,183 followers View post →
Edward Okillan
@EOkillan · X

Sponges not hygienic in the kitchen. Bacterial levels and diversity in kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes used by consumers https://t.co/PGN0coBs55

Jun 8, 2022 · 333 followers View post →
Wiley Life Sciences
@WileyLifeSci · X

RT @SfAMtweets: A study in Journal of Applied Microbiology showed that kitchen brushes harbour significantly fewer harmful bacteria than sp…

Jun 8, 2022 · 4 shares · 64,764 followers View post →
Applied Microbiology International
@AMIposts · X

A study in Journal of Applied Microbiology showed that kitchen brushes harbour significantly fewer harmful bacteria than sponges - read the full story on @CNN below, or skip directly to the #openaccess article by clicking here! https://t.co/OABMevjhjP @wileymicrobio https://t.co/2IcmC8T5kD

Jun 8, 2022 · 4 likes · 4 shares · 29,234 followers View post →
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