Your kitchen sponge can harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli for weeks, even after drying out, and these germs can easily transfer to kitchen surfaces.

• New research from Germany reveals that food-poisoning bacteria can form sticky, protective layers within sponges, surviving for at least two weeks.
• The study found that germs from a sponge can spread to kitchen worktops with a single wipe.
• Even disinfecting well-used sponges with bleach may not fully eliminate bacteria.