No matter were you go… in the deepest ocean, up the highest mountain peak, even in the cleanest hospital, there is one thing you will never escape…GERMS! Yup, germs are everywhere. “Germs” is a common term for micro-organisms, such as mold, bacteria and viruses, plus a few other little critters. For centuries people have been trying to find ways to get rid of germs. Why? Because some germs make humans very sick. They cause infections and diseases. Of course, not all germs are harmful. A lot just go about their own business and leave us alone Some even live in our intestines (our guts), helping to digest food and maintain balance so that disease-causing germs don’t grab a foothold.  (There is less room for disease-causing germs in a crowded intestine!) Germs are also a big problem when it comes to food. Lots of people become ill, and some even die, when germs grow in food that hasn’t been cooked or stored properly. Germs are lurking in every kitchen and in every refrigerator.

This brings us to the weekly edition of “Science mysteries… explained!!!” Yup, today we’re going to solve that age-old science mystery… Why does a kitchen sponge smell so bad? Have you ever noticed that an old dish sponge often sticks? That’s thanks to germs! One great place germs like to hang out in a kitchen dish sponge! Here’s a trick that will really impress your mom or dad. Thanks to microwave technology, you can literally zap those germs away! Just stick a wet dish sponge (this avoids the risk of starting a fire) in a microwave on high for two minutes. Remove it carefully! Does it still smell? Nope! That’s because almost all of the germs have been killed. Hey, that might just be the makings of a great science experiment!