If your dish sponge has petroleum jelly on it, it's best not to use it for washing dishes. Petroleum jelly is not meant for cleaning kitchen utensils or surfaces and could contaminate your dishes with unwanted chemicals.
To get rid of the petroleum jelly from the sponge, follow these steps:
Isolate the sponge: Keep the sponge away from your other dishes and kitchenware to prevent any potential contamination.
Wash the sponge: Rinse the sponge thoroughly with warm water to remove as much petroleum jelly as possible.
Hand wash the sponge: Using dish soap and hot water, hand wash the sponge multiple times to break down the petroleum jelly and remove any residue.
Disinfect the sponge: To ensure the sponge is clean and safe to use again, you can disinfect it. You can do this by soaking the sponge in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water for about 5 minutes. Then, rinse it thoroughly with water.
Air dry the sponge: Allow the sponge to air dry completely before using it again. This helps prevent bacterial growth.
Dispose of it if necessary: If you're still unsure about the sponge's cleanliness or safety, it's better to discard it and get a new one.
Lastly, it's important to talk to your mom and let her know what happened. Honesty is essential, and taking responsibility for mistakes is a part of learning and growing. Your mom might be understanding, and together, you can find a solution to prevent such incidents in the future. Remember, accidents happen to everyone, and it's how we handle them that makes a difference.