It's important to sanitize kitchen sponges every day or two, says Sandy McCurdy, University of Idaho extension food safety coordinator, and heating a damp sponge in your microwave oven can be a very good way to do it. In fact, a 1997 scientific study demonstrated that microwave heating greatly reduces the number of bacteria present in kitchen sponges and dishcloths. Precisely how long to microwave your sponges depends on their size and dampness and on your appliance's power, McCurdy says. They'll need to reach the boiling temperature of water, and you'll probably need to experiment to find out when that is. While most homeowners treat these perennial lawn weeds in the spring, the most effective applications are actually those made in the fall, says Don Morishita, University of Idaho extension weed specialist.
Systemic herbicides move into the weeds' roots with the weeds' carbohydrate building blocks.
During the spring and summer, these carbohydrates are largely in the weeds' leaves, flowers and seed. Fall is when perennial weeds transfer carbohydrates into their roots and rhizomes, making it the best time to apply herbicides. We recently moved to a flood-prone area. Sandbags should be stacked away from the house, not against it, says Tom Karsky, University of Idaho extension safety specialist. What you're trying to do is prevent flood waters from reaching your home.