The world of Minecraft is filled with a multitude of items, each playing a unique role in a player’s survival and development. Some may seem insignificant at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they prove to be true treasures that can significantly simplify life and open up new horizons for creativity.
One such item is the Minecraft sponge. This simple yet surprisingly useful block possesses unique properties that make it an indispensable tool for any player seeking to fully master the game world. In this article, we’ll explain where to find the sponge, how to obtain it, and how to use it.
Sponge in Minecraft
A sponge in Minecraft is a special block with the unique ability to absorb water. It can be very useful in a variety of situations: building underwater bases, draining bodies of water, creating dry tunnels under rivers and seas, or simply creating a beautiful landscape.
The sponge’s main property is its ability to absorb water. When dry, it is yellow and can absorb water within a radius of up to 7 blocks, absorbing up to 65 blocks of liquid. After this, the sponge becomes wet (dark in color) and stops working until it dries.
To use the sponge, take the dry version of the block and place it underwater or directly in water. The sponge will immediately begin absorbing the liquid around it. This happens quite quickly: first, the nearest water blocks disappear, then the farthest ones. Once full, the sponge changes color and requires drying.
There are two ways to dry a wet sponge. First, you need to create a furnace, add fuel (coal, wood, or planks), and drop the wet sponge into the top slot of the furnace. After a few seconds, the sponge will dry and return to its original form, ready for reuse.
The second method is to leave a wet sponge in the Nether or any other waterless area (savannah, jungle, or desert). After a few minutes, it will dry and be ready for use again. If you place an empty bucket in the fuel cell while it’s drying in the furnace, the bucket will fill with water at the end of the drying process.
Where to get a sponge and how to obtain it
There are several ways to find sponges, primarily in the underwater fortress . In one corner of the fortress is a sponge room, with 15 to 30 sponges scattered across the walls and ceiling. However, not all fortresses have such rooms.
Additionally, sometimes 1-3 sponges can be found in chests inside the monument. Another option is to get 1 wet sponge as a drop after killing an Elder Guardian. Sponges do not generate in normal biomes.
As for obtaining sponges, they are obtained by hand or any other tool. Many players, especially newbies, often wonder if they can make sponges on a workbench or how to craft a sponge in Minecraft. Unfortunately, sponges cannot be crafted from anything and can only be obtained using the methods described above.
How to use a sponge in Minecraft
The sponge has a variety of uses. First and foremost, it’s used to drain the ocean monument. Without sponges, this process would take many hours.
To effectively drain the monument, it’s recommended to prepare a potion of water breathing and a potion of night vision. Next, find a room with sponges and begin draining the monument step by step: place one sponge there, wait for it to absorb the water, remove it, and move it to the next location. This way, you can drain room by room.
Sponges are also useful when building an underwater base: by creating a tunnel of sponges, you can create an air corridor. They can also be used to drain areas for underwater farms. Furthermore, sponges can be used for decorative purposes, such as building SpongeBob-themed buildings or those inspired by the character himself.
Useful tips for players
To drain large bodies of water, use multiple sponges. Space them approximately 10-12 blocks apart to ensure maximum absorption coverage and avoid overlapping zones.
Before installing the sponges, make sure there is no water coming from any source. If there is a source, water will constantly fill the space, and the sponges will not be able to cope with the task.
Keep a supply of dry sponges and fuel close to your work area. This will allow you to quickly replace filled sponges and dry them immediately, allowing you to continue drying without interruption.
When building an underwater base, first drain the space using sponges, then build the walls and ceiling, and then remove the sponges. The water will return but remain outside, creating a sealed structure with air inside.
In Creative Mode, sponges are available in unlimited quantities through your inventory. This is convenient for testing mechanisms, large-scale projects, or experimenting with design.
A wet sponge can be used as a decorative element. Its dark color contrasts with the regular yellow sponge, creating interesting visual effects in interiors or exteriors.
If you’re building an underwater tunnel, place sponges along the route. They’ll create an air passage for easy movement.
Sponges are also useful for harvesting resources from sunken ships or underwater ruins: by draining the area, you can safely explore chests and collect valuable items.
A sponge in Minecraft isn’t just a block; it’s a valuable tool that opens up new possibilities for construction, exploration, and creativity. Mastering its extraction and use will make your life in the underwater world much easier and allow you to realize your wildest ideas.
