Old sponges are hotbeds for E.coli and Salmonella — common bacteria which cause food poisoning. Unlike washing dishes by hand, a dishwasher kills germs with heated water. The HygienePlus option on Bosch dishwashers, for example, is an antibacterial cleaning function which ensures maximum hygiene by killing 99.9% of germs. This is achieved by rinsing dishes at a higher temperature of up to 70°C, sustained for approximately 10 minutes. This helps to keep your kitchenware much more sanitary, which is important for young children or family members who have allergies.