WARNING! That sponge or dishcloth used to clean the kitchen can also be a major breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria in the home. In many cases potentially harmful germs like E-Coli, Salmonella and mildew can be found in used sponges.

Scotch-Brite(TM) StayFresh Sponge was developed to prevent the spread of disease and features an anti-microbial agent that kills germs and bacteria, even after prolonged use. This breakthrough development permanently bonds anti-microbial agents to the cellulose in the sponge where they will continue to kill germs and bacteria, even after hundreds of uses.

The sponge has also received the endorsement of the New Zealand School of Hygiene. 3M launched the first ever germ-free killing sponge to New Zealand last year. Scotch-Brite(TM) StayFresh sponge is the result of a scientific breakthrough by 3M that works by bonding anti-microbial agents to the sponge where they kill germs and bacteria even after prolonged use. In addition to germs like E-Coli and Salmonella, the germs which cause sponges to disintegrate are killed, extending the life of the sponge.

The benefits of the StayFresh sponge have been endorsed by American and New Zealand Health authorities. Dr Charles Gerba of the University of Arizona research team says the product represents a major breakthrough in controlling the growth and spread of germs in the kitchen. Gerba's team of microbiologists inspected more than 500 dishcloths from across the US in 1993 and concluded that they were making countless Americans ill.

Here in New Zealand, the New Zealand School of Hygiene said in a media statement that along with other elements of safe food preparation, the StayFresh sponge may "dramatically improve the state of our kitchens and our health."

3M invested more than two years of concentrated research and development in perfecting the StayFresh germ resistant technology, which in itself is a technological breakthrough more than 45 years in the making. Industry scientists began experimenting with ways to prevent bacteria growth in sponges as early as 1950.

The Scotch-Brite(TM) StayFresh sponge is available in regular and large sizes.