How to Dry a Sponge in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Place a wet sponge in the Nether to dry it instantly, or smelt it in a furnace with fuel. A dry sponge can absorb water again; a wet sponge cannot. In Bedrock, dry Overworld biomes also dry wet sponges after a few minutes.

What you need

Wet sponge
Nether access, or a furnace and fuel
Empty bucket (optional, to recover water)

Step by step

Collect your wet sponges after draining water. Any tool or your hand works; a hoe is fastest.
For instant drying without fuel, take the wet sponges to the Nether and place each one. It turns into a dry sponge with a puff of steam.
Break the dry sponges and return to your water-draining project.
If you prefer to stay in the Overworld, put a wet sponge in the furnace input and add fuel. Take the dry sponge from the output.
To recover water too, make sure an empty bucket is in the fuel slot when drying finishes. This works after the furnace has already consumed fuel and is still burning.
Reuse the dry sponge near water. It becomes wet again after absorbing water, so repeat the drying process as needed.

Java vs Bedrock

Nether drying and furnace drying work in Java and Bedrock. Bedrock also dries a placed wet sponge after a few minutes in a dry Overworld biome; this is not a Java mechanic. Dropped sponge items do not absorb water: place the block.

Versions: javabedrock

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to dry many wet sponges?

Place them in the Nether, where each wet sponge dries instantly without using fuel. Then collect them with a hoe or another tool.

Can a wet sponge absorb more water?

No. Dry it first. Once a dry sponge absorbs water it becomes wet and stops absorbing until you dry it again.

Why does my wet sponge not dry in a desert?

Passive drying in dry Overworld biomes is a Bedrock feature. In Java, use a furnace or place the wet sponge in the Nether.

Does a sponge remove lava?

No. Sponges absorb water, not lava.