The microbial contamination of in-use sponges was investigated. Of the sixty sponges examined, 51 (85%) were contaminated with 10(3)-10(9) colony forming units (CFU) per sponge. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from sixteen (26.7%) of the sixty sponges. P. aeruginosa survived for 2 months in contaminated sponges which were left at room temperature and became dry to the touch. The susceptibility of sponges to P. aeruginosa contamination should be recognized. Once sponges are contaminated with P. aeruginosa, eradication of this organism is difficult even if the sponges are dried.