How do sponges that come out of the package “pre-moistened” not grow mold/mildew?

Question

I just saw an ad for ScrubDaddy’s Damp Duster, and in the ad, they mentioned that the sponge will come out of the package squishy & damp. If it is left out, it will dry up. I’ve noticed this with other sponges too. What do companies “pre-moisten” their sponges with? Why isn’t it mildewy?

In: 253

Answer 1

In addition to the answers here about them sometimes being packaged in a sterile environment, many are “moistened” with a weak biocidal solution that keeps stuff from growing in the first place. That’s what that smell is.