What specific component must be verified before attempting to sanitize a kitchen sponge by microwaving?
Answer
Metal components
Microwaving a wet sponge on high power for one minute is listed as an effective sanitation method, provided a critical safety check is performed first. Before placing the sponge in the microwave, users must verify that the sponge does not contain any metal components, such as metallic scouring pads or wire fibers integrated into the design. Introducing metal into a microwave oven can cause sparking, damage the appliance, or potentially start a fire. Other methods like soaking in 10% bleach or running a hot dishwasher cycle do not carry this specific risk.
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