I read and saw of many routines about kids show (es. Silly Billy book or Bill Abbott dvd) where they put something in the mouth, the thumb tip to make the silk reappear or the sponge balls in the continuous sponge ball production from the mouth. I think for kids are very funny and interesting and I would like to try the sponge balls in my next kids show but before I would like to ask some advices about how to sterilize the sponge balls and keep clean. Thank you.

I have never steralised anything - including the baby's bottles when they were young. No need, unless you are going to pass the balls mouth to mouth. And you won't.

Rinsing in running water after the performance is more than enough.

I only stick my thumb tip in my mouth.

I never put anything in my mouth (but that is just me).

I would never put anything in a spectators mouth and I don't think any one should.

I don't think you should hand the spectator anything that has been in your mouth or his perceived to have been in your mouth.

-Mary Mowder

I have never done it myself, but Eugene Burger said on one of his videos that he soaks them in a bowl of water with a little bit of diswashing liquid. He also uses that technique to keep them soft.

The only thing I put in my mouth (besides food) is a mouth coil and I immediately pull it out as a streamer. I coil the streamer up but DO NOT put it around the kid's neck. I agree with Mary, never give someone something that has been in your mouth or they think has been in your mouth.

But Mary when I pull the 9" silk out of my mouth with the selected card on it all the little kiddies scream.

I'm just saying what I do.

You may do as you like, of course

(EEWWWW).

-Mary Mowder

LOL

I use sponge balls from mouth at every show
I washed them in antibacterial hand wash in the sink
This cleans them and also plumps them up.

I also like to do sponge balls from mouth, and I just rinse them in water before show

Hey Al, this is a quote of you from "Comedy Writers" in "Tricky Business".

" If the joke doesn't come out of my head it is highly unlikely that it will ever come out of my mouth."

Do you also weave the silks that come out of your mouth? (I doubt you spin them).

-Mary Mowder

Mary
My life is full of women who constantly remind me of things I have said. My wife, and daughters would like you.

Every so often I will soak my sponge balls in water. This does two things- it cleans them, but also makes them bigger yet easier to squish down to a small size. They are, surprisingly, made out of sponge!

You must get hungry!

I live on aether and rainbows and dreams for dessert.

(Which are apparently quite caloric).

-Mary Mowder

Yeah I agree that sponge from mouths have big reactions from kids, I will soak in water and soap and do next show. Thank you for sharing your opinions.