posted
I’m obviously not a fan of microwaves to heat or cook your food, but researchers have found one good use for them: killing germs on your kitchen sponge. After soaking sponges and scrubbers in dirty water (that contained everything from fecal bacteria and viruses to parasites and bacterial spores), the researchers found just two minutes in the microwave was enough to kill 99 percent of the living pathogens.
Zapping sponges in the microwave every other day will decontaminate them better than simply putting them in the dishwasher, and you should wet them first, as the heated water seemed to help the sterilization process.
Interestingly, the microwave was even able to kill B. cereus spores, which are able to survive extreme heat and radiation (though it took four minutes, not two). It’s no wonder, then, why heating food in a microwave zaps away nutrients and changes the chemical structure of foods, with virtually unknown consequences.
It's also the best way to clean the microwave itself. The humidity coming out of the sponge water makes it very easy to wipe all the dirt off the walls of the machine.
If you soak the sponge in water with some lemon juice, it will make it smell great too.
And I do that while wearing uggs.
Thanks Cats for the info.
Ayisha Member # 4713
posted
quote:Originally posted by MK the Most Interlectual:
And I do that while wearing uggs.
Laura Member # 879
posted
I don't understand why this post has been pinned?
necromancer Member # 12656
posted
Wash your microwave easily
Place a cup of water and a few tablespoons of vinegar in a bowl and microwave for 10 mins. Remove bowl and wipe clean.
MK the Most Interlectual Member # 8356
posted
quote:Originally posted by necromancer: Wash your microwave easily
Place a cup of water and a few tablespoons of vinegar in a bowl and microwave for 10 mins. Remove bowl and wipe clean.
Save energy and do that while you're sterilizing your sponge.
SayWhatYouSee Member # 11552
posted
Hmmm...a note of caution here. White vinegar can remove the lining on some microwave interiors, if used in the wrong concentration.
Laura Member # 879
posted
Another warning concerning microwaves.
You should not use plastic containers or plastic wrap (cling film) in a microwave oven. Heating of plastic releases a chemical, I think it's called dioxin? into the food and it's highly carcinogenic.
In the same article from John Hopkins it stated: do not put plastic bottled water containers in the freezer, as freezing also releases these chemicals into the water.
Ayisha Member # 4713
posted
quote:Originally posted by Laura:
In the same article from John Hopkins it stated: do not put plastic bottled water containers in the freezer, as freezing also releases these chemicals into the water.
I didn't know THAT
cultureclash Member # 13036
posted
There are different types of cling film. One is made using Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). It can contain chemicals that can be unsafe if used in the wrong way like wrapping food with high fat content such as cheese for instance. There is some environment concern about the use of PVC for many different things because of the chemicals used to make it (like dioxins).
Another type of cling film is made from Polyethylene (PE). This does not contain these chemicals and should be safe to for fatty foods. Unfortunately it doesn't work as well - it's not as 'clingy'.
The problem with using cling film in the microwave is that it could melt. Why do you want to microwave cling-filmed food anyway?
If it needs to be covered, use a plastic tub or put the food in a bowl and use cling film so it doesn't touch the food.
If you use cling-film then buy the right type for what you need. It is possible to buy 'microwave clingfilm' - well in the UK anyway.
Always DYOR - Do Your Own Research and check the facts before believing things like this.
soozi Member # 11108
posted
quote:Originally posted by cultureclash: There are different types of cling film. One is made using Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). It can contain chemicals that can be unsafe if used in the wrong way like wrapping food with high fat content such as cheese for instance. There is some environment concern about the use of PVC for many different things because of the chemicals used to make it (like dioxins).
Another type of cling film is made from Polyethylene (PE). This does not contain these chemicals and should be safe to for fatty foods. Unfortunately it doesn't work as well - it's not as 'clingy'.
The problem with using cling film in the microwave is that it could melt. Why do you want to microwave cling-filmed food anyway?
If it needs to be covered, use a plastic tub or put the food in a bowl and use cling film so it doesn't touch the food.
If you use cling-film then buy the right type for what you need. It is possible to buy 'microwave clingfilm' - well in the UK anyway.
Always DYOR - Do Your Own Research and check the facts before believing things like this.
There are also different types of PVC - (3 in fact), and its all down to the stabilisation used in processing. Lead and Tin are used in two of them, but neither of these types would be used to make clingfilm - the third is no problem to come into contact with food hence why clingfilm is fine!
Habeeby Member # 14429
posted
i can do lots of good things with my microwave allready haha
Habeeby Member # 14429
posted
The previouse post was my daughter again - now i will go to beat her
karim Member # 3077
posted
You can dry you socks in your microwave.
Slewth Member # 16166
posted
For the ladies.....um...ok...there is ONE thing that I must share that you SHOULDN'T do with your microwave:
Don't try to 'sterilize' your playtoy or you will melt it!
Vader- Member # 14189
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I think I'm having deja vu here ? :S
Maximilian Member # 16919
posted
Microwave is good source to save energy....
the lioness Member # 17353
posted
If you microwave your sponge the sponge starts to great progressively softer and falls apart more eaisly
jeofjingjeff Member # 17897
posted
Microwave cooking can be more energy efficient than conventional cooking because foods cook faster and the energy heats only the food, not the whole oven compartment. Microwave cooking does not reduce the nutritional value of foods. It keeps more vitamins and minerals, because microwave ovens can cook more quickly and without adding water.
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mayabandu Member # 18475
posted
I thought the worst when I came to this thread! Because the original poster's name was "Cats in the Craddle" and the title of the thread was "Finally something good you can do with your Microwave!!" I was horrified that you guys were microwaving cats! I am so glad that is not the case!
tom11 Member # 19415
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Hi i am new here. I am so happy that i found this forum.... Thank for sharing this.... It was a great help for us!
posted ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
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. Also the food prepared in it is more healthier I think.