WTF Dept: When good ideas go bad: sponges cause fire

A story came out about a week or so ago from the University of Florida where they ran tests that showed that microwaving a sponge for 2-10 minutes can kill the bacteria living in it. So naturally everyone ran out and started "nuking" their sponges. Loads of posts then came out about how great this is. There was a story on Digg, but the Digg search sucks and I can't find it. Even the great Congdon posted it on her tv show.

And then, just yesterday, we start to see reports of FIRE being caused by doing what Amanda shows on her video and what the University of Florida says is a good thing to do.

The team at the university has modified their language to state that the sponge must be soaking wet and it will be very hot when removed.

So remember, just because someone (or some university) on the Internet said something, doesn't mean it is always right or that you should run out and do it. I think we tend to believe things we read online as if they are gospel. I am sure the TV lawyers will be all over this like, well, bacteria on a sponge!