11 Uses for Sponges

Sponges that are retrieved from the depths of the Ionian, and other seas have had uses for centuries. The classic use is for cleaning the dishes, bathing and wiping up after spills but who would think that sponges could also be used for other means. Naturally I am referring to the vegetable sponge one that is part of the Spongiae species and has a keratinous exoskeleton that is dried ones the organism is brought out of the water. It is the elasticity of this external skeleton, the fact that the material can be squeezed and return to its original shape that has attracted its use especially in cleaning, applying colorants, or liquids. The consumer has a variety of uses for sponges.

1. As a wiper or means of cleaning the sponge has been applied to mop handles to created a viable floor wiper. The sponge part of the cleaner is dipped in the cleaning solution and then excess fluid is squeeze out of the sponge through a plastic piece or handle that is affixed to mop.
2. Sponges have been used to apply polish to a car body. The sponge can then be used to buff the wax into the enamel surface of the car.
3. Recently when I knew that I had to keep a fragile leaf and stem afloat so that the stem would sprout a root, it occurred to me that two tooth picks stuck through a piece of sponge would act as a support of the leaf that would otherwise sink to the bottom of a cup.
4. Sponges have other uses when thinking of plants: when a floral arrangement gets to a house often the florist has been using a sponge support for the flower stem which would also retain moisture and perhaps some saline so that the flower will stay open another couple of days. The stems are cut to maximize the surface area of the plant tissue that would be exposed to the sponge's moisture.
5. Often enough kids want to see how seeding will fare in the wild. One way to see the progress of germination is to anchor a seed between a piece of sponge and the inside of a glass so that root growth can be monitored.
6. I am long aware of sponges used to create safe toys just as Sponge Bob was created. Different shapes of sponge can modeled according to the "face" of the desired hand puppet. Obviously a thicker sponge, which would be the head of the puppet would allow for the insertion of at least the middle and forefingers.
7. Sponges have been used to apply make-up for the performer or make-up artists in different ways whether it be to accentuate the cheekbone or the brow. Again this would be because of its absorbency. Sponge can also be used to apply skin moisturizers and lotions.
8. Sponge applicators have also found uses when applying shoe polish so that the liquid would not be wasted and while be applied to the leather surface it could applied in a relatively uniform manner.
9. Spongy tissue can be applied to insoles and so elevate the foot in a shoe especially if there is discomfort and the foot or heel needs to be raised.
10. I have recently found use of spongy tissue applied to adhesive tape that would act as an insulator for the doors and window of my apartment that so not seal properly. This would save me the cost of buying already prepared material mad of sponge or rubber, used for the same purposes and the results are just as good. All one has to do is to cut the sponge to the same width as the door jam that needs to be sealed or the space between the jam and the door or window.
11. Sponge material has also been used in application of different art forms that may be flowers, trees or plants on canvas or board. This would be done by cutting the sponges into different leaf shapes and perhaps flowers centres, dipping the sponge into the colour of your choice and then applying that to the surface. This is done much the same way that potatoes cuttings would be dipped into watercolour and then applied to paper as a stamp. The holes of the sponge left unpainted add to the texture of the painting or artwork.