Why? Because scientists -- with maybe too much free time on their hands -- say those innocent looking sponges and brushes can be loaded with disease-causing viruses and bacteria.

    Researchers soaked sponges and scrubbers in a disgusting brew of raw wastewater containing fecal bacteria, viruses, protozoan parasites and bacterial spores, including Bacillus cereus spores -- known for being very hard to kill with heat, chemicals and even radiation.

    Zapping at full power for two minutes killed or inactivated 99 percent of living pathogens. It took 4 minutes to destroy the B. cereus spores.

    "People often put their sponges and scrubbers in the dishwasher, but if they really want to decontaminate them and not just clean them, they should use the microwave," said Gabriel Bitton, a professor of environmental engineering at the University of Florida.

    The study was announced today and was detailed in the December issue of the Journal of Environmental Health.

    Other studies have shown sponges and dishcloths are common carriers of pathogens from uncooked eggs, meat and other food. Damp objects help them thrive.

    The researchers suggest wetting the objects -- water being heated by the microwave seems to play a role in the sterilization -- before zapping them every other day or so.

    (Agencies)