Holders for automatically treating cleaning implements (e.g. kitchen sponges) with antibacterial chemicals during storage are disclosed. These holders have a solid compressed chemical surface for contacting the cleaning implement between uses. Moisture from the used cleaning implement dissolves a small amount of the chemical (e.g. sodium chloride), thereby causing the chemical to treat the contact surface of the cleaning implement. Merely by placing a sponge or the like on a coaster, or against another holder surface, bacterial growth on the sponge or the like can be inhibited, thereby extending the useful life of such cleaning implements.
