Abstract: A disposable sponge device used principally for cleaning surgical instruments and including a flexible base sponge member having opposed side and end edges and a pair of upright flexible sponge members attached to and projecting from the back surface of the base sponge member, substantially parallel to each other, and extending end-to-end of the base sponge member to function as a handle for the sponge device. The sponge device is further characterized by including, along at least one edge portion, an elongated slit opening through the edge portion for receiving the blade of a surgical instrument for cleaning.