Which needs to be changed more often- your toothbrush or your bathing sponge?

Like our toothbrush, bathroom sponges, loofahs and poufs can be a serious breeding ground for some nasty bacteria and germs. It seems silly since we soap them up and rinse them clean, but we recently learned they should be tossed out far before you see any wear and tear. We were shocked at how short their lifespan really is!

Lab results found that the pouf contained two different organisms: acinetobacter, which can cause wound infections, boils and conjunctivitis; and yeast, the most common form of which is Candida. Dr. Rokhsar explains that Candida can cause rashes around the mouth called perleche, as well as other various rashes and infections. He recommends replacing a pouf or loofah about every three weeks and sponges every six to eight weeks (compared to the 3months limit for toothbrush).

Leaving a moist sponge in your bathtub day in and day out gives some of the harmful germs a hospitable place breed. Loofahs are especially vulnerable to bacterial growth. They have many nooks and crannies that -- especially when moist -- tend to invite bacteria. Additionally, dead skin cells commonly found on loofahs provide food for bacteria, giving them even more reason to move in. one study found that the amount of bacteria like P. aeruginosa, which causes a variety of infections, grew exponentially in 24 hours when exposed to a loofah sponge. The study's authors also found that soaking the sponge in a bleach solution on a regular basis killed off the bacteria, and thus helped to prevent infections [source: Bottone].

The same risks apply to other types of sponges, too. Even plastic mesh bath poufs can become infected with bacteria and lead to rashes on the skin. Bacteria aren't the only thing that can grow on your bath sponge; mold can also be a problem. 
  
KEEPING YOUR SPONGE CLEAN DURING THE SAFE PERIOD OF USE  

•  DISINFECT YOUR BATH SPONGE: Doing so regularly will help reduce the amount of bacteria and mold that may be growing in it [source: Crean]. A bleach solution can be used to disinfect your bath sponge. To clean a synthetic sponge, you should soak it in three quarters of cup of bleach per gallon of warm water. For a natural sea sponge, use one-quarter cup of bleach per gallon of cool water. You should soak either type of sponge for at least five minutes [source: Columbia University]. An easier but possibly less effective approach entails throwing your sponge in the washing machine or the dishwasher. Laundry and dishwashing detergents are gentler and less toxic than bleach, but they may not kill all the bacteria and mold present.

By disinfecting your bath sponge each week and replacing it after several weeks, you can keep germs from taking root in your personal care items, bathroom and body. Read on for more information about keeping your skin clean and healthy.

•   KEEP YOUR BATH SPONGE AS DRY AS POSSIBLE WHEN NOT IN USE:  This is one way to hold bacteria at bay. However, one study found that loofah sponges needed to air dry for at least two weeks to significantly lower the level of bacteria they contain [source: Bottone]. This means you need to take extra steps to ensure a germ-free sponge.

How often do you get rid of your bathing accessories? Is it something you even think about until they start to show wear and tear? Share your thoughts on this.