How to Clean a Sanding Sponge

A sanding sponge is an extremely useful tool to keep around your workshop or home. It helps in smoothing rough surfaces and also aid in cleaning almost any place that is dusty and needs to be smoothed or unsoiled. A sanding sponge can scrub corners, dirty edges, drywall, and other areas. It is highly flexible and can be used on flat and contoured surfaces.

A sanding sponge can be used for multiple cleaning purposes and needs to be cleaned from time to time as the dust can attach to the sponge and make it less effective. The biggest advantage of using a sanding sponge is that it can be washed to remove the clogged material. This makes it very long lasting. Cleaning the sponge is easy and should be done after each use. It takes approximately five minutes, and you are done. Follow the simple steps described below in order to clean a sanding sponge.

Step 1 - Remove Dust from Sanding Sponge

Take the sanding sponge full of dust to your trash can. Use your fingers and try to dust away the dirt on the upper layer of the sanding sponge. This will help the dry dust to go off, that would otherwise stick to the sponge if rinsed with water immediately after being used to clean a dusty appliance. Repeat the dusting process until the sanding sponge is free of the dry dirt on it.

Step 2 - Use Detergent

Take the sanding sponge to the sink and pour warm water on it until it’s completely wet. The warm water will make the washing process easy as it will not allow the dirt to stick on the sponge. Use any alkaline solution such as soap or any other cleaning detergent and softly rub your fingertips on the sponge surface and clean the residue left on the sponge’s surface. Repeat the procedure until the dust residue is all removed from the sanding sponge. The solution will also provide the sponge with a pleasant fragrance that would be helpful if the sponge has some unpleasant smell. It would be hygienic to use a detergent as it will aid in killing germs and other bacteria that come along with mud and debris.

Step 3 - Dry the Sponge

Squeeze the sanding sponge so that all the water gets drained and then put the sanding sponge in the sunlight or allow it to air dry. After the sponge is dry, it is ready for cleaning. The sanding sponge can be used dry or wet. It is effective either way. A wet sanding sponge can be more suitable for certain appliances and the dry sanding sponge will be suitable to collect dust and debris.

Clean a Sanding Sponge FAQ

Can you reuse a sanding sponge?

Like sandpaper, sanding sponges will wear down and lose their grit with use. However, if there is still grit on the sponge you can reuse it and apply it to more than DIY project.

You do need to clean sanding sponges if you plan to reuse them, but you should only use the same sanding sponge a few times before replacing it with a new one.

Are you supposed to wet a sanding sponge?

Sanding sponges can be used wet or dry. Sometimes, wetting the sponge can give it a better grip on surfaces and it will help to reduce the amount of sawdust you breathe in while you're sanding because some of it is drawn into the sponge.

Can you clean a sponge with hydrogen peroxide?

Ordinary kitchen sponges can be effectively cleaned with hydrogen peroxide, but you don't need to do this for sanding sponges.

Clean sanding sponges with mild liquid soap and water. This will be enough to clean the sponge and get it ready for ruse.

Does boiling a sponge clean it?

Boiling sponges and microwaving sponges, contrary to popular belief, is not a good way to clean sponges. This will not only fail to sanitize sponges, it even promotes bacterial growth.

Don't ever boil any of your sponges.

How often should you replace sponge?

Sanding sponges should only be replaced until they are too worn out o use effectively any more. When they have worn down and lost most of their grit, the source of the sanding power, you must replace them.