Zap that bacteria

Kitchen sponges are notorious breeders of bacteria.

But researchers at the University of Florida say your microwave can really clean things up. They soaked a sponge in raw wastewater, including fecal bacteria, and then zapped it in a household microwave for two minutes.

The results—99 percent of the bacteria, viruses and parasites were gone.

Researchers caution that a dry sponge can catch fire. So be sure to dampen the sponge first.