Sponge (tool)
A sponge (/ˈspʌndʒ/ SPUNJ) is a cleaning aid made of soft, porous material. Typically used for cleaning impervious surfaces, sponges are especially good at absorbing water and water-based solutions.
Originally made from natural sea sponges, they are most commonly made from synthetic materials today.
Etymology
The word comes from the Ancient Greek term σπόγγος (spóngos),[1] which in turn is probably derived from a Mediterranean Pre-Indo European substrate.
History
The first reference of sponges used for hygiene dates from
Ancient Romans used sea sponges extensively for hygiene, as well as other uses. The belief that sponges had therapeutic properties led to their usage in medicine for cleaning wounds and treating disease.[2]
In the
Synthetic sponges were made possible to be manufactured only after the invention of polyester in the 1920s and the commercial production of polyurethane foam in 1952.[6][7]
Material
Synthetic sponges can be made of polyester, polyurethane, or vegetable cellulose. Polyurethane is used in polyester sponges for their
Vegetable cellulose sponges made of
Harboring bacteria
A sponge can be a medium for the growth of harmful bacteria or fungi, especially when it is allowed to remain wet between uses.[12]
Cleaning
Several methods have been used to clean sponges. A 2009 study showed that the microwave and the dishwasher were both effective ways to clean domestic sponges.[13] Leaving sponges soaking in a dilute solution of dish detergent discourages bacterial growth.
Studies have investigated the use of the
Economy
Countries around the
Exporters | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tunisia | 74 | 71 | 84 | 81 | 91 | 88 |
Cuba | 36 | 33 | 38 | 33 | 41 | 41 |
France | 25 | 26 | 33 | 31 | 35 | 30 |
Greece | 32 | 42 | 36 | 27 | 32 | 22 |
Bahamas | - | 8 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 14 |
Turkey | 11 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
Egypt | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
Japan | - | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
Philippines | 9 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Libya | - | - | - | 6 | 3 | - |
Total | 192 | 202 | 232 | 213 | 245 | 225 |
Gallery
-
Macro photograph of the porosity in a synthetic cleaning sponge
-
Natural sponges for sale in Crete
-
A Luffa aegyptiaca sponge section magnified 100 times
-
A close-up of one corner of a urethane abrasive sponge with a top layer used for more intense dish scrubbing
-
A close-up of a synthetic sponge's openings
-
A souvenir made out of an artificial sponge
See also
- Dishcloth
- Ethylene-vinyl acetate – material that craft foam is made from ethylene-vinyl and acetate
- Holy Sponge
- Luffa aegyptiaca
- Sponge metal
- Capillary action
- Shower puff
References
- ^ "Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon".
- ^ a b Inc., The Sea Sponge Company. "The History of the Sea Sponge". The Sea Sponge Company Inc. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Natural Sea Sponges and sponge diving history". www.kalymnos-shop.gr. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ^ "Como era feita a higiene bucal antes da pasta de dente?". Mundo Estranho (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ^ Matthew 27:48
- ^ "Polyurethane Foam Kitchen Sponge. History of Origin — Vortex Power". www.vortex-power.com. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ^ "History of Polyester | What is Polyester". www.whatispolyester.com. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ^ a b S.r.l., Corazzi Fibre. "Polyester sponge and Cellulose sponge". www.corazzi.com. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ^ "Polyurethane Sponge - Dynathane | PAR Group". www.par-group.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- S2CID 246994693.
- ^ Hickman, Matt (2017-08-21). "What's the difference between cellulose sponges and those other kitchen sponges?". Mother Nature Network. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ^ "Reducing bacteria in household sponges". Journal of Environmental Health. 62: 18–22.
- ^ .
- ^ "Microwave 'sterilisers' warning". 24 January 2007. BBC News.
- ^ "Tunisian fishermen driven to perilous depths by mystery sea sponge blight | Environment | the Guardian".
- ^ "SPONGES: WORLD PRODUCTION AND MARKETS". www.fao.org. Retrieved 2018-04-14.