After several uses or once a week, sea sponges should be soaked for two hours in a solution of white vinegar and water (about two tablespoons to a quart of water) and set out to air-dry, preferably in a sunny area. This will keep your sponges fresh and will inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Alternatively, one or two drops of tea tree oil added to one cup warm water is a good disinfecting solution for natural sponges. It is also wise to replace your sea sponge periodically, or the moment it starts to degrade in texture, as it will eventually from normal use. Regular maintenance, however, will prolong the life of your sponges.
It is highly recommended that natural sponges should be replaced at least every three months after regular use. Sea sponges are excellent for applying certain cosmetics such as pancake bases and moisturizing lotions, resulting in a silky smooth and even application. Since many cosmetics contain oils, it is especially important to cleanse your sponges with mild soap between cosmetic applications.
Sponges should never be allowed to sit around with a buildup of cosmetic residue on them. Remember, oils lock in moisture and moisture will eventually erode or attract bacteria to your sponge.
Do not use bleach when cleaning your natural sea sponges, as this will destroy their cell structure.
