Dishwasher Test Reveals Shocking Sponge Truth

A recent TikTok experiment has raised questions about the effectiveness of dishwashers in cleaning kitchen sponges. Creator howdirtyis, known for their science-based content, put a used sponge through a dishwasher cycle and then cultured samples from before and after using petri dishes. The results showed significant bacterial growth even after the cleaning, prompting comments like, "Maybe the sponge is perpetually dirty." The experiment highlights the importance of proper sponge hygiene and suggests that dishwashers may not always be sufficient for complete sterilization. The findings have sparked online discussions about best practices for cleaning kitchen tools.