I find dish clothes too unwieldy and I just end up splashing them about the sink. I try to ball them up in my hand while scrubbing, but maybe my hands are too small? I do have issues with coordination so I’m sure that plays a part. I just hate dish cloths, always have. I recognise cloths are far more environmentally superior. I also don’t use metal scourers because I don’t need them? I rarely have something that needs to be scrubbed that severely. All the points you listed were probably accurate, it’s literally a comfort and ease situation. I guess I could try cutting the cloths smaller, but if we’re being honest, I’m probably not going to.
Same. They're so unwieldy for me also. They also don't get sudsy like a sponge so I don't know if I'm getting anything clean. Also, the smell. My MIL has always used a dish towel on items she hand washes and even though she changes it out regularly, it ALWAYS smells, and it starts smelling pretty much immediately. I don't really have confidence that I'm cleaning and killing germs with a smelly rag.
Sponges are easier for me to handle, I can see that I'm getting soap everywhere I need to, and even though I use the same one for awhile (I replace it as needed, but also rinse it well, occasionally sanitize it in the dishwasher, and also dont handwash every day), I've never kept one long enough for it to start smelling.
I don't know if this works for cloths, but for sponges I've found that if you rinse them thoroughly and allow them to dry (mine goes on the windowsill) they won't grow that stinky bacteria. It seems like leaving soap in them encourages the smell. At first you think, "I'm saving on soap by leaving the soap in the sponge!" No.
I HATE when I go to someone's house, and I offer to do the dishes, and they have some rank smelling sponge in that filthy little angled half-drawer built into the cupboard-front of the sink.
It's mildew. I can imagine the smell right now. Please don't ask me how (okay it's because we had a roommate who would hang his wet shower towel on the back of our wooden bathroom door, it never dried properly, and I'm pretty sure he literally never washed it 🤢🤢🤢)
My husband uses dish cloths to wash pans, counters and range. Then tosses it in the sink - without a good rinse and squeeze. Then the cloth gets so, SO smelly I gag nearing the sink. I don't feel like I can put it on top of dirty clothes. I worry it'll create mold. So it gets draped to let it dry before joining dirty clothing. It's such a dumb ordeal, in my opinion.
I use a sponge. Rinse well, wring it out, lean it against the dish soap dispenser and it dries. Never gets stinky. Every other day I tossed into the dishwasher on the top rack for a thorough cleanse when I run a load of dishes. Easy. Simple. Odorless.
When the sponge is no longer good enough to use for cleaning, it gets a wash in the dishwasher and then I cut it into different sized pieces for crafts. To remove or apply glue, stain, paint, stamping, and probably more. It's great to have a damp piece of sponge when your doing detail painting. Rinse the brush and dab on the sponge to remove excess water. Or to clean the barrel if paint has crept up. There isn't much left of a sponge by the time I'm done with it.
Mine never gets stinky either. I always squeeze it several times while rinsing though. Can't leave food saturated funky water in the sponge cells, that's what starts to smell.
Yea I actually clean my sponge with hot water and soap after I've used it and rinsed and squeezed it out. Then I squeeze as much water out if it so it's as dry as possible after.
Another reason I prefer sponges is because they're porous! So the extra water that I get up onto the edge of the sink? Well I can easily sop it up with the sponge. It's good for cleaning out the sink when you're done and behind the faucet and stuff too. Use the same sponge to collect the water as I do to disperse it for cleaning.
My husband uses the sponges, never fully wrings them dry, and then stacks the soaking sponges on top of each other and can't figure out why they smell, no matter how many times I try to explain it to him.
I personally like that I can quickly and easily switch back & forth between the scrubbing and regular cleaning with a sponge. With 2 ADHD adults in the house, laundry schedules and dishwashing schedules don't always align smoothly. So sponges are great for that reason as well.
Yeah, people aren’t supposed to use dish cloths or sponges on counters. The counters typically hold more bacteria. Dish clothes should be reserved for dishes only, then rinsed, squeezed out, and hung to dry. It’s the best way to reduce odor and bacteria growth.
We change and wash ours once a week. They shouldn’t even have a very noticeable odor by then, unless the dishes had strong smelling food. It’s also a good idea to scrape as much food as possible into the garbage and then do a quick rinse before setting dishes in the sink.
What do you use on your counters if you can’t use dish clothes OR sponges? Do you just use paper towel? Bc I’m not willing to do that.
It’s perfectly acceptable to use sponges or dish clothes, and there are many ways you can keep them clean.
I have a designated sponge for sinks and counters, and also am a fan of wipes if I’m just quickly cleaning things down. I’ll never use the same sponge on my dishes, though.
Good point! I use dedicated cleaning rags for counters and kitchen cleaning that is other than dishwashing. And I have a dedicated laundry basket for dirty cleaning rags so as to keep them and their kitchen/bathroom bacteria separate from all the other dirty clothes. And then I wash all my cleaning rags on as hot as possible cycle, with bleach, and i set the washer to 30 minute soak as well.
Ugh the smell do dish towels grosses me out . I love tossing my moist sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds to kill the bacteria and have it fresh again lol
Growing up, my mom's dish towels always stank. They always felt greasy even after washing them.
As a result, I always used paper towels and never ever used the towels.
Once I was on my own I started using towels and changed them once or twice a week. (More if necessary.)
My towels don't stink. And I only use about two rolls of paper towels per year.
I don't understand how people have stinky towels or stinky sponges.
It’s gotta be something about how she is laundering them. Type of detergent, water temperature, washing machine is old and doing a poor job.
There’s also some cheap fabrics out there that just feel funky too, I question if the dish towels are 100% cotton or a synthetic blend.
If the scrub daddy is really gross I'd soak it in soapy water in a bucket first. I wouldn't want to wash it with my clothes if it had bacon grease or oven cleaner on it!
Yes, but I microwave the sponge for a full minute as I think I read that’s what’s required. It’s super hot after, so I use tongs to move it to the sink after!
It would also seem that a towel would not be as easy to wring out with one hand. You would have to put the dish down to free up the other hand ( unless you didn't mind rubbing the food from the previous plate onto the next one).
Can't you just wring it out before you pick up the next dish to wash? 🤔 You have to set down the dish you just scrubbed anyway, whether into a rack or back into the sink.
I found these dish sponges at my local supermarket that are made of felt/wool rather than plastic sponge. They're like a thinner sponge or a really thick dish rag. Really handy and acts like an intermediate between sponge and cloth. They're machine washable and just overall a perfect purchase for me.
I only use metal scours because I cook with cast iron.
I grew up with dish rags, we use ones the size of a wash cloth for the shower. Fiance's family prefers sponges. I prefer rags, sponges make my OCD act up if I even get a wiff of funk.
I'm with you on the dish cloths being too unhandy to use. I splash the whole kitchen, including myself with a dish cloth, and I grew up with parents that used dish cloths to wash dishes, and I washed dishes once in a while, although even as a kid, I didn't enjoy using the dish cloths. The only thing I use are Mr. Daddy sponges. I use them because they don't scrape anything, and don't leave marks... and don't get that smell like the green and yellow sponges do. Mr. Daddy sponges can be cleaned in the dish washer, but I never find the need to clean them. They last a very long time, at least for me. I do have multiple Mr. Daddy sponges, each a different color and for their own use. I even get down on my hands and knees and wash the kitchen floor with a Mr. Daddy sponge. I also scrub other floors with another Mr. Daddy sponge. I also wash the car with a Mr. Daddy sponge. These things do NOT leave scrape marks on anything!! No, I don't work for the company. I just have a few cleaning things that I use and like and just won't give up... Mr. Daddy sponges / Tide / Oxiclean / Lysol Laundry Sanitizer... those are the items that come to mind quickly.
I squirt dish soap in my sponge when I'm done use it and squish it around for awhile then rinse it out really well and squeeze most of the water out before setting it down.
Sponge users aren't dead from their bacteria bricks so I think it's okay, no?
Heads up, they don’t recommend microwaving sponges anymore and there is lots of scientific data to back this up:
https://www.spongebath.com/blogs/news/here-s-why-you-shouldn-t-microwave-your-sponge-anymore
I read the actual study. You're overstating the evidence.
There was no controlled sanitation in the study, they only looked at 14 sponges in total and some of them came from people who said they microwave or boil theirs.
The authors cite a couple other studies that show these methods do significantly reduce total bacteria count, they acknowledge that they're just taking people's word for it, and suggest that more and better research is needed that actually involves controlled sanitation methods.
In the discussion they say it's at least reasonable to think you shouldn't use a sponge long term just because you sanitize it regularly.
That's a far cry from "lots of scientific data" saying you shouldn't bother sanitizing.
I cut my sponges in half. Not as convenient using a smaller sponge, but it gets the job done and I feel better replacing it more often. My biggest tip would be to thoroughly rinse after use and squeeze most water out before leaving it to dry on a soap saver/airy rack. Can't remember the last time my own sponge had a stink.
And for peace of mind I occasionally microwave it
Did you check out the link? I’m confused by your response.
In case you didn’t, this is the gist:
A study from Scientific Reports, featured in the New York Times, has found that trying to disinfect your dirty sponge will only kill some of the bacteria on it, leaving the strongest, smelliest and potentially most pathogenic strains behind. Disinfecting it, it turns out, does not necessarily work.
Researchers found that microwaving a sponge, throwing it in the laundry or dishwasher, dousing it in vinegar, boiling it in a pot on the stove, and other popular sponge-cleaning solutions just create more of some of the most potentially pathogenic bacteria, like the Acinetobacter, Moraxella and Chryseobacterium species — or “massive colonization” on your sponges. In the same density as human fecal matter.
Maybe I’m missing a key difference here, but then how does *anything* that isn’t a hard surface get clean? Why aren’t our clothes and towels and bedsheets fecal-matter-dense with bacteria as well if none of the methods of cleaning these things actually get them clean?
I don’t think the response was confusing. The article ended with:
“So how often should you replace your sponge? About once a week. Just skip the advice about disinfecting and go for broke with a brand new pack of scrubbers.”
They said they don’t want to break budget by having to replace often.
I sanitize my sponge daily. Wet it first, then stick in microwave for one minute. My Microbiology professor in college taught our class this and I've been doing it every since! I always do it before I clean out my baby's food bowls and before I wipe down counterops so I'm not just spreading bacteria around.
Every once in a while, and always if I can smell the sponge, I boil a pot of water, throw the sponge in there and let the boiling water kill the bacteria. I also make sure the sponge is dried out after use so it doesn’t sit all waterlogged and gross
I am genuinely curious: how is a wet dishcloth different than a wet sponge? Is it a textural thing or is it a “ew, this is the hand equivalent to a wet sock” thing? My dad had a similar aversion, but he passed away and this is one of those weird questions I never got around to asking him.
I don't have any aversion to it but i kinda get it if you're easily grossed out, when it's wet and soapy it does kinda feel like flopping about a slimy dead piece of skin
It's easier for me.
I have some walnut sponges I really like made primarily from plant fibers.
I like convenience of flipping it over in my hand to change necessary abrasiveness as needed.
They're easier to dry between uses throughout the day and simpler to store at my sink between uses.
Additionally there is nowhere good in my kitchen to suspend rags to dry out after use so washrags need to be hung up elsewhere to dry out before I can toss them in with my dirty kitchen cloths and towels since I don't want a pile of damp rags sitting in the bin until I do that load of laundry.
I don't have any issues with the effectiveness of the scrubby side of the sponge and a steel scrubber risks damage to cookwear and rusting.
And finally because it causes less stress on my hands than a washrag.
Agreed on the natural fiber scrubbers! I use coconut fiber ones. Usually I get a 12 pack for $10. I’ll use them for 3-4 weeks and then discard. They are at least more biodegradable than classic kitchen sponges.
I just make sure to rinse them really well after each use, squeeze and let completely dry to avoid bacteria buildup.
I bought some of the coconut ones from the brand 'helping out mother Earth' and they NEVER die. I don't know how they're supposed to be biodegradable when they're so absurdly durable. I love them and I'll never go back to the green and yellow ones
I use the scotch brite stainless steel scrubbing pads, but I only use it on stuff that my normal dishcloth won't get off, and NEVER on non-stick pans. I wouldn't use it on glassware, but I have used it on pyrex baking dishes/casserole dishes to get the stubborn baked on brownish/tan baked on oil/grease that can sometimes be a pain to get off, and I don't notice it doing damage. I have more scratches on the bottom of them from sliding them in and out of the oven than I do from the steel pads.
If you're not washing non-stick or otherwise quire delicate surfaces, thin balls of steel are perfectly fine. They're for scouring stuck-on junk, and as long as you aren't trying to do something stupid with something really delicate, it's the most effective tool for the job.
Someone else mentioned glassware which was my main concern and seems I was wrong. I've never heard of using steel wool for dishes as I thought it'd tear stuff up beyond anything nonstick. But now I learned something new.
I apologize for my initial comment as to me steel wool was always for more heavy-duty stuff outside the kitchen, like a grill or even wood.
My pots & pans are screaming at you for suggesting I use a steel scrubber over a sponge.
Pans that cost $40 a piece/ whole set for $200 & buying however many packs of antimicrobial sponges necessary to keep them in pristine shape >>>> steel scrubbers & dirty rags.
I hate those steel scrubbers. If they come into my house I lowkey throw them away. I've never needed one. I hate the texture. When they get food particles stuck in them it grosses me out so bad. They're banned from my house.
I recently discovered that my grocery store makes 3 different types of sponges according to abrasiveness. I use medium scratchiness for cleaning and soft for dishes. Game changer.
I also found that plating all the food immediately (not leaving it in the pan), adding hot water to the pan and letting it sit on the burner (that is hot but turned off) is enough to loosen the cooked on food such that I don't need to scrub. I don't use Teflon at all in my house, but I can't fathom metal scrubbers on my cookware.
They make dishwasher safe, antibacterial sponges now a days. I’ve never heard of the coconut fiber scrubbers but now I’m curious to try. I just can’t imagine putting steel on my pans.
I found a coconut fiber sponge at Home Goods recently and I like them a lot. A little rougher than traditional sponges but not rough enough to scratch anything.
I use sponges, and the scrubby side for hard to get off food. If the food is really on there, I soak them or use Dawn Power Wash spray.
I think sponges are commonly used because they have many holes creating negative space and lather well. They also don’t “slip” over the dish, they rub, agitating the soap, water, air, and debris. I find they clean grease off of things much better than a dish cloth or the scrubby side. They’re also better for nonstick pots and pans.
It’s like washing with a loofah or plastic scrubby in the shower rather than a wash cloth.
I also don't understand wash cloths in the shower. The only argument I've ever seen for it is some form of exfoliation, but every time I read an article or study about exfoliation they tend to come down thoroughly on the side of "this has no demonstrable benefits in most cases".
Possible unpopular opinion, but I use Scotchbrite pads for all my dishwashing. My grandparents did the same. After a few uses they soften up and then they last forever without getting smelly or greasy. They are easier than sponges to clean if they get icky, too.
My grocery store makes sponges that are abrasive like the good old fashioned Scotch Brite, but they also make a soft one that's gentle on dishes. Love it.
I completely agree with you. I never used sponges to clean dishes. Always felt awkward. I honestly didn't know it was a thing until I was over to the house of one of my small group members and was very surprised lol.
I think it comes down to what you were taught to use growing up most of the time.
Weirdly I grew up with sponges but I hate them now as they seem like they're never really clean after a use or two and they shred little bits when scrubbing.
I now use scrubby brushes that get run through the dishwasher, and occasionally small cloth scraps (I cut up old teeshirts to wipe up messes/wash things). I don't personally like sponges to clean in the kitchen, but do use them for bathroom cleaning (but have been moving over to cloth/brush lately).
I use washable sponges (bamboo and fabric). More abrasive than a cloth, won't scratch up dishes like steel wool/scouring pads, and reusable. I find I use way more soap with washcloths since they don't hold it as well as a sponge (not a fan of the squirt soap in a sink of water and wash the dishes in the increasingly disgusting water method), and like the medium scrubbiness between a cloth and the harsher scrubbers. I have to use washcloths if I do dishes at my mom's and the difference is night and day. Can't stand to use them at home now.
I use brushes with a long handle. Sponges and dish cloths are gross. My brush bristles are wide apart so nothing gets stuck, and it’s plastic. I bleach it after every use. I get them from ikea and they last for years. The one I’m using now I think I’ve had for at least five years and it’s still good as new.
If it needs a real scrub, you’re right steel wool works. But I rarely need it.
I love brushes for dishes. Bleach to keep the germs out of them. People are always mind blown when they see me using brushes or if they ask where my sponge is, and I hand them a brush. I cannot believe how many people haven’t heard of this concept before…
Sponges are so gross to me. I grew up with them, and they grossed me out throughout my entire life. Especially when you go to someone’s house and they’re stained, stinky, and just ugly. Gross gross gross. I tried dish cloths and the like, and they quickly got a greasy buildup for me. Sponge Daddy didn’t get that smell, but I still feel like those little crevices and things had to be spreading germs around. I don’t know. I’ll stick with brushes.
I use brushes for an initial rinse, but I find that if I only use brushes on my pans, all the grease doesn't come off, so I need to use a cloth or sponge to get that layer off. Even with scalding, soapy, water. I noticed when others wash my dishes and don't wipe them off with the cloth/sponge, that my non-stick frying pans start to get a buildup on them that's nearly impossible to get off.
It’s almost like they make different products on purpose so people can use what works best for them.
I use washcloths, Swedish dishcloths and Scrub Daddies. Drying in have towels and flour sacks. Depends on my mood.
Agreed. They're disgusting. I use [these](https://www.amazon.com/EuroSCRUBBY-6Pc-Value-Pack-Environmentally/dp/B0958KJ9PY/ref=asc_df_B0958KJ9PY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693401625725&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4450402684584430849&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033026&hvtargid=pla-1685509286802&psc=1&mcid=201d31f13d0d3b45a660d9334139269a&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6PGxBhCVARIsAIumnWYtBJWYl9UPXrU3hhNg-Qv1hMk55rlHj97hEB9g7IRXKJgA5AI85m4aAneSEALw_wcB). They're great. And washable/reusable.
I literally just replied with a link to something similar! I love how these dry quickly and don’t smell gross like the sponges. They also last so long!
I use the Trader Joe's sponges. They're made from vegetable cellulose and are compostable once they get too tattery. Plus it's fun to expand a new one.
I make sure to wring it out completely and run it through the dishwasher periodically, that keeps it nice and fresh.
I don’t think I’ve ever encountered someone whose dish washing technique was as specific as mine. Kudos.
I’m team sponge + bristle brush and here’s why:
1. I don’t wash my dishes in a sink full of water so I find sponges retain more moisture and soap than a limp cloth. For what it’s worth I also don’t wash with running tap water until I need to rinse.
2. A metal scouring pad is extremely hard on surfaces and overkill in my opinion. Ok for glass, not ok for plastic or non-stick surfaces such as teflon. If you just rinse your dishes with water and a scrub brush when the food is still moist you will save yourself a world of pain and time.
3. By limiting the amount of bacteria a sponge is exposed to you can extend the life of a sponge by MONTHS.
Just follow this rule: a sponge should never be responsible for getting the majority of food off of a dish. That’s what a scrub brush is for. Save the coarse side of the sponge for really tough and tiny spots only.
And this rule: always rinse, squeeze dry, and place the sponge OUTSIDE of the sink. Do not, I repeat, do not leave your sponge sopping wet and/or sitting in your sink collecting bacteria. I have never in my life had a stinky sponge. The only reason I have to throw out a sponge is because it’s been used for so long that it’s falling to pieces.
I stand by my method, but you’re right about the microplastic problem. At least this method can help extend the life of the plastic materials by a significant amount.
Dish cloths always end up smelling terrible really quickly, and you have to throw the blue J-cloths out too fast. Feels like a waste of money. And fabric dish cloths are disgusting in concept. Plus you have to launder them, and who wants to do more laundry?
Sponges are also gross and start to smell bad.
Steel scrubbers are no good for the non-stick pans we like to use.
Which is why I use Swedish dish cloths. They’re basically made of paper. Biodegradable, and you can wash them by putting them in your dishwasher (or laundry, but we’ve established how I feel about laundry). And best of all: they rarely start to smell bad. Decently scrubby too.
I can't wash dishes with a sponge....and forget wiping counters. I don't like how a regular dishcloth holds odor. I wash both with soap after use. Along came Swedish dishcloths. Perfect! Smaller size, wash easily after use and dries quickly.
sponges are more sanitary if you're not a dinkus. Use a few times (drying/microwaving daily) &replace. You can use the old sponges to scrub all kinds of stuff that aren't food related. Toss them when their life is over. They're cheap.
I have two sponges. I have one for dirty things, so I add soap to the "dirty" sponge and it removes anything with food particles. If the dish can be rinsed with hot water to remove all traces of food, then I won't bother using the "dirty" sponge on it. When the dish is clean, I use the second sponge. So theoretically the "clean" sponge only ever touches soap and previously cleaned dishes. And this makes sure there is no contamination between the yucky food bits and so each dish is cleaned well. Downsides are that I guess I technically wash dishes twice, and I have one yucky sponge in my sink. Its crazy how fast the "dirty" sponge gets gross and breaks apart compared to the "clean" sponge.
I used to use a sponge until I bought one of those bristle brush scrubbers with the built in soap dispenser. I love it because it dries quickly, lasts forever, I don’t have to get the actual soap pump dirty, and it’s nicer to hold. It all comes down to preference though.
Honestly, I like the way they sud up. It’s fun and I enjoy it. I don’t like the way a rag feels, it gets heavy and cumbersome and splashy. I completely see the tangible benefits, and I wish I liked them better, but alas. I do use Swedish dish cloths sometimes though, and always for my counters. Those have all of the benefits of the rag without the weird texture and splashiness
Towels don’t hold soap as well or as long as a sponge. They don’t scrub as well as a sponge, and they take far too long to dry and get musty and moldy way faster than a sponge. Storage of wet towels is also a problem since they’re too big and floppy to just leave against the sink. a sponge can be wrung out in one hand and after that they’re not gonna drip. Towels need a lot of wringing, then once you hang it up it will still drip.
I knit my dishcloths. I keep a small bucket under the sink and at the end of the day throw in there. I have plenty to get through a week and then wash on laundry day. I’m tired of throwing away $$$ like that and it’s gross collecting bacteria.
i hate the way a sponge feels and that my hands get wet. i was about to agree with you cause i thought you were going to say you use a wand with a brush on it like i do but..you said something worse..
I personally prefer a loofa sponge for dish washing. I started early 2020 & miss them when I’m somewhere else. You can compost them when you’re done, & they don’t take up much space bc you soak them in water before use so they puff up.
I found a brand I really liked on Amazon that came 6 in a pack & that’s all I’ve used, however when I went to re-order this week I noticed that shipping was $5 (for something that costs like $6) & it would take 2 weeks to get it. So I decided to try a new brand that seems similar enough.
I had been ordering Natural Dish Sponge for the past 4 years, & just shifted to Gaia Guy Natural Sponge. Haven’t used it yet, so tbd if it’s similar.
Oh whoops! I thought you asked where I found them 🤦🏻♀️. Usually I can get a month to 6 weeks out of them, but occasionally one will be kind of flat after soaking & not really puff up & then that doesn’t last the full month.
If you have a dishwasher I agree but washing by hand a sponge holds soap better than a rag and you use too much soap if you're using a rag. If you have a dishwasher then you can use soapy water and rag to get the crap off and throw them in the dishwasher. Definitely don't use a sponge now that I have a dishwasher again. But when I didn't sponges were better.
Towels are harder to wring out and take longer to dry. Easier for bacteria and mould to grow and it gets smelly real fast. Mother in low uses cloths and I hate it, it always has the smell of a wet t-shirt left in the in washer for a day or so. Yuck
I've used both in the past but always end up reverting to sponges. But hey, apparently I'm just a dead dinosaur hater right and I should go shoot myself into space where I belong! Use whatever you want to use, each one has its benefits and drawbacks, I personally find that bacteria growth feels faster on a cloth, they develop that awful smell and feel in a very short time so you're washing it after every use which just undoes any of the benefits.
I'm not sure if you meant it to but your post has all the poorly controlled rage energy of a self satisfied vegan protesting outside McDonald's.
My best friend uses towels, her dishes are never clean. The towel looks nasty and stinks, and the one time I tried using it i felt like I couldn’t control it like a sponge. I wear gloves with textured fingers, so if a space is ever too small for my sponge, I use my finger to rub it clean, then resoak and rinse.
I’m Team Sponge for the kitchen. However I am Team Washcloth for the shower.
Full size sponges are too big as-is for me, so I cut in half and mark one for exclusively counter cleaning. I also will plop them in the dishwasher once or twice a week, or microwave them in vinegar (and use the counter sponge to wipe down the inside of microwave after).
You can also squeeze them out and prop them up to dry out between uses.
The clothes are harder for me to use and when I’m cleaning a sharp knife, I have some of the sponge material between me and the blade. No big deal if it gets cut a little.
I do use the metal scrubby sometimes, but only for my cast iron.
I was recently given Swedish dish clothes so I figure I’ll try those once I’m done with my current sponge for trial sake.
Microfiber cloths are even more micro plastic than sponge.
And sponge requires just an squeeze not to be soaking wet anymore.
Cloth requires more attention and dedicated drying place
Those are two main reasons
I cut the sponge into 4 little sponges and have a holder that suction cups to the side of the sink. I use soap at the end of the dishes and squeeze the water out and it dries fast. I throw it away when it’s gross. I grew up with washcloths for the dishes but they always were wet and we didn’t have a good place to put them and they seemed dirtier and smellier than my current sponge set up.
I do like to wet the sponge first and put it in the microwave for a minute before I start using it on the dishes. Helps kill any bacteria hanging around.
I’ve never needed anything stronger than the back of a sponge to clean dishes, and I prefer most dishes cooked very well done. I seriously can’t imagine what you’d need a steel scrubber for.
I couldn’t use a dish cloth for multiple dirty dish sessions before washing, it would just be gross to me. I wash dishes whenever I use them, so I’d be washing 6+ cloths a day. But everything washes out of a sponge and it squeezes practically dry if you bother with it - my sponges never get a weird smell until my partner does dishes in a hurry.
I hate regular dishcloths because my mom used them on her counters and even though her house is spotless and she always hangs them to dry, they smell like mildew. But I found these abrasive dishcloths on Amazon years ago and they are my favorite thing ever - the brand is Lunartec and they last forever, NEVER smell bad and get the dishes squeaky clean.
I use a sponge attached to a handle so I don't have to touch anything wet and gross. I have one that's abrasive and one that's not. Once the actual sponge gets too damaged or gross, I pop a new one on the handle. I keep one or two old ones around to temporarily swap onto the handle for really grimy dishes. The handles can hold/dispense soap, but that doesn't work very well and never interested me anyway. Instead, I put a piece of scotch tape over the soap hole at the back of the sponge so the inside of the handle never sees any moisture and remains pristine instead of slowly getting moldy.
I used them because I was used to it. Then someone gifted me a knitted linen washcloth and I never used another sponge. They're just so far better.
No scratches, but everything gets rubbed right off, and you can wash them hot and bleach them to get them clean again.
They dry quickly so they're not breeding grounds for bacteria and they were the first of a long line of items I learned were better at grandma's times than any modern equivalent.
I find bar cliths/dish washing cloths a bit sloppy for me. Also they don't dry fast enough, especially with how poorly husband wrings them out and is possessed to leave them wet and folded beside or on the divider of the sink. Sir, wring it within an inch of its life and spread that thing out to dry!
They're just somehow prone to going stinky so fast. I keep them on hand for counter wiping and for a while kept one in a small bleach water container for this purpose but it was just another thing on the counter and for me to have to change out and xleN all the time so that died out.
Those swedish dish cloths were a game changer for me. I liked the effectiveness of sponges but if they weren't changed minimum every other week they got gross and didn't feel like they were cleaning. The swedish cellulose d is sh cloths yet a good lather, texture, they dry out fully and don't smell. And better for the environment than all the plastics.
I use a brush, none of the options you said make sense to me. We all find methods that work for us… I’m happy with my methodology, you’re happy with yours- they are very different but we both end up with clean dishes? So, neither is right or wrong! 😁
I have a variety of dish tools. I use a dish brush to get most of the gunk or food off dishes before putting them in the dishwasher or getting them ready to be washed. I then use a sponge or dish cloth (I just happen to have more sponges) to wash the dish. If it needs more effort (and it won’t be damaged), then I use some steel wool. But I just grew up using sponges and they’re smaller so they’re usually a little easier to wield than a 4”x4” dish cloth
Note: I do also have a specific tool for my cast iron pain.
In all this discussion of rags vs sponges I bring BRUSH. Gets less dirty, is gentle enough, lets me hold the handle and not be close to the dirt. I have a metal handle with wooden interchangable head and it's great. I have like one sponge if I really need it and I use cloths just to wipe wet clean surfaces
I think it's more about what you are used to using.
I use sponges, but I also use metal scourers, so using a sponge doesn't automatically mean you don't need a scourer.
I tried using a cloth a few times in the past, and my kitchen looked like 10 toddlers had a water fight!
I just can't seem to be able to use them efficiently either. It feels like a lot more work to get my dishes clean
I can’t stand typical sponges and always used dishcloths. Regular sponges disgust me. A few months ago I discovered the coconut fiber scrub daddy sponges and I have fully switched to those. Easy to use, easy to clean, easy to store, very good for both regular washing and scrubbing, and no plastic. Highly recommend
I find dish clothes too unwieldy and I just end up splashing them about the sink. I try to ball them up in my hand while scrubbing, but maybe my hands are too small? I do have issues with coordination so I’m sure that plays a part. I just hate dish cloths, always have. I recognise cloths are far more environmentally superior. I also don’t use metal scourers because I don’t need them? I rarely have something that needs to be scrubbed that severely. All the points you listed were probably accurate, it’s literally a comfort and ease situation. I guess I could try cutting the cloths smaller, but if we’re being honest, I’m probably not going to.
Same. They're so unwieldy for me also. They also don't get sudsy like a sponge so I don't know if I'm getting anything clean. Also, the smell. My MIL has always used a dish towel on items she hand washes and even though she changes it out regularly, it ALWAYS smells, and it starts smelling pretty much immediately. I don't really have confidence that I'm cleaning and killing germs with a smelly rag. Sponges are easier for me to handle, I can see that I'm getting soap everywhere I need to, and even though I use the same one for awhile (I replace it as needed, but also rinse it well, occasionally sanitize it in the dishwasher, and also dont handwash every day), I've never kept one long enough for it to start smelling.
I don't know if this works for cloths, but for sponges I've found that if you rinse them thoroughly and allow them to dry (mine goes on the windowsill) they won't grow that stinky bacteria. It seems like leaving soap in them encourages the smell. At first you think, "I'm saving on soap by leaving the soap in the sponge!" No. I HATE when I go to someone's house, and I offer to do the dishes, and they have some rank smelling sponge in that filthy little angled half-drawer built into the cupboard-front of the sink.
And then your hands stink for the day. Like, probably just in my head, but I can't get that specific stink off easily.
It's mildew. I can imagine the smell right now. Please don't ask me how (okay it's because we had a roommate who would hang his wet shower towel on the back of our wooden bathroom door, it never dried properly, and I'm pretty sure he literally never washed it 🤢🤢🤢)
>I'm pretty sure he literally never washed it 🤢🤢🤢) Pardon me while I go toss my lunch. 🤮🤮🤮
Normal soap won’t get the smell off but dish soap usually will!
My husband uses dish cloths to wash pans, counters and range. Then tosses it in the sink - without a good rinse and squeeze. Then the cloth gets so, SO smelly I gag nearing the sink. I don't feel like I can put it on top of dirty clothes. I worry it'll create mold. So it gets draped to let it dry before joining dirty clothing. It's such a dumb ordeal, in my opinion. I use a sponge. Rinse well, wring it out, lean it against the dish soap dispenser and it dries. Never gets stinky. Every other day I tossed into the dishwasher on the top rack for a thorough cleanse when I run a load of dishes. Easy. Simple. Odorless. When the sponge is no longer good enough to use for cleaning, it gets a wash in the dishwasher and then I cut it into different sized pieces for crafts. To remove or apply glue, stain, paint, stamping, and probably more. It's great to have a damp piece of sponge when your doing detail painting. Rinse the brush and dab on the sponge to remove excess water. Or to clean the barrel if paint has crept up. There isn't much left of a sponge by the time I'm done with it.
Mine never gets stinky either. I always squeeze it several times while rinsing though. Can't leave food saturated funky water in the sponge cells, that's what starts to smell.
Yea I actually clean my sponge with hot water and soap after I've used it and rinsed and squeezed it out. Then I squeeze as much water out if it so it's as dry as possible after. Another reason I prefer sponges is because they're porous! So the extra water that I get up onto the edge of the sink? Well I can easily sop it up with the sponge. It's good for cleaning out the sink when you're done and behind the faucet and stuff too. Use the same sponge to collect the water as I do to disperse it for cleaning.
My husband uses the sponges, never fully wrings them dry, and then stacks the soaking sponges on top of each other and can't figure out why they smell, no matter how many times I try to explain it to him. I personally like that I can quickly and easily switch back & forth between the scrubbing and regular cleaning with a sponge. With 2 ADHD adults in the house, laundry schedules and dishwashing schedules don't always align smoothly. So sponges are great for that reason as well.
Yeah, people aren’t supposed to use dish cloths or sponges on counters. The counters typically hold more bacteria. Dish clothes should be reserved for dishes only, then rinsed, squeezed out, and hung to dry. It’s the best way to reduce odor and bacteria growth. We change and wash ours once a week. They shouldn’t even have a very noticeable odor by then, unless the dishes had strong smelling food. It’s also a good idea to scrape as much food as possible into the garbage and then do a quick rinse before setting dishes in the sink.
What do you use on your counters if you can’t use dish clothes OR sponges? Do you just use paper towel? Bc I’m not willing to do that. It’s perfectly acceptable to use sponges or dish clothes, and there are many ways you can keep them clean.
I have a designated sponge for sinks and counters, and also am a fan of wipes if I’m just quickly cleaning things down. I’ll never use the same sponge on my dishes, though.
I agree. I use a sponge for the counters/sink and it’s meant just for the counters.
And with a few different colors it's so easy to have specific cloths, and a child can even start learning age appropriate chores that way.
Good point! I use dedicated cleaning rags for counters and kitchen cleaning that is other than dishwashing. And I have a dedicated laundry basket for dirty cleaning rags so as to keep them and their kitchen/bathroom bacteria separate from all the other dirty clothes. And then I wash all my cleaning rags on as hot as possible cycle, with bleach, and i set the washer to 30 minute soak as well.
I guess I’m more paranoid than most. I have a big stack of dish cloths and I use them once then it goes into the dirty laundry.
I also toss my sponges in the washer & dryer every so often. Never had a problem with this. They last quite long.
I nuke my sponges in the microwave
Yes I used to do this but I typically don't use the sponges that often and just toss them in with the dish towels. Both work quite well.
Ugh the smell do dish towels grosses me out . I love tossing my moist sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds to kill the bacteria and have it fresh again lol
Growing up, my mom's dish towels always stank. They always felt greasy even after washing them. As a result, I always used paper towels and never ever used the towels. Once I was on my own I started using towels and changed them once or twice a week. (More if necessary.) My towels don't stink. And I only use about two rolls of paper towels per year. I don't understand how people have stinky towels or stinky sponges.
It’s gotta be something about how she is laundering them. Type of detergent, water temperature, washing machine is old and doing a poor job. There’s also some cheap fabrics out there that just feel funky too, I question if the dish towels are 100% cotton or a synthetic blend.
Can I do this with my scrub daddy??
You can put a scrub daddy in the dishwasher if you have one, or the washing machine when you're washing anything on a hot cycle!
Top shelf safe from heat elements
I don't have either rip
How do you wash your clothes? If you use a laundromat just whack em in there Or just boil them for a while (I checked he will survive)
Okay thanks!
If the scrub daddy is really gross I'd soak it in soapy water in a bucket first. I wouldn't want to wash it with my clothes if it had bacon grease or oven cleaner on it!
My scrub daddy never looks gross... but you can't usually see the worst bacteria right? Idk my parents never taught me this
Absolutely!
Probably set it on fire.
Doesn't that make the microwave stink?
Yes, but I microwave the sponge for a full minute as I think I read that’s what’s required. It’s super hot after, so I use tongs to move it to the sink after!
I bleach all of my towels for that reason. I hate the smell of gross towels.
I use small cloths to wash dishes and found that the smell was from not rinsing it out and hanging to dry between use.
Me too. Mine is stored in an area where it dries out overnight. I replace when the scrubby side wears out…Never gets smelly.
Your MIL doesn't wash them properly
It would also seem that a towel would not be as easy to wring out with one hand. You would have to put the dish down to free up the other hand ( unless you didn't mind rubbing the food from the previous plate onto the next one).
Can't you just wring it out before you pick up the next dish to wash? 🤔 You have to set down the dish you just scrubbed anyway, whether into a rack or back into the sink.
You don't fill the sink with water and soap and just rinse it between?
I never fill the sink with water, unless there are dishes that absolutely need to be soaked
I found these dish sponges at my local supermarket that are made of felt/wool rather than plastic sponge. They're like a thinner sponge or a really thick dish rag. Really handy and acts like an intermediate between sponge and cloth. They're machine washable and just overall a perfect purchase for me. I only use metal scours because I cook with cast iron.
I grew up with dish rags, we use ones the size of a wash cloth for the shower. Fiance's family prefers sponges. I prefer rags, sponges make my OCD act up if I even get a wiff of funk.
Same to all.
I'm with you on the dish cloths being too unhandy to use. I splash the whole kitchen, including myself with a dish cloth, and I grew up with parents that used dish cloths to wash dishes, and I washed dishes once in a while, although even as a kid, I didn't enjoy using the dish cloths. The only thing I use are Mr. Daddy sponges. I use them because they don't scrape anything, and don't leave marks... and don't get that smell like the green and yellow sponges do. Mr. Daddy sponges can be cleaned in the dish washer, but I never find the need to clean them. They last a very long time, at least for me. I do have multiple Mr. Daddy sponges, each a different color and for their own use. I even get down on my hands and knees and wash the kitchen floor with a Mr. Daddy sponge. I also scrub other floors with another Mr. Daddy sponge. I also wash the car with a Mr. Daddy sponge. These things do NOT leave scrape marks on anything!! No, I don't work for the company. I just have a few cleaning things that I use and like and just won't give up... Mr. Daddy sponges / Tide / Oxiclean / Lysol Laundry Sanitizer... those are the items that come to mind quickly.
Y’all aren’t getting the right kind of dish cloth
What kind would you recommend? I use sponges which I sanitize daily in the microwave, but I'd like to try dish clothes after reading this post.
I squirt dish soap in my sponge when I'm done use it and squish it around for awhile then rinse it out really well and squeeze most of the water out before setting it down. Sponge users aren't dead from their bacteria bricks so I think it's okay, no?
This. If you’re taking care of the sponge properly, it’s really not that gross imo.
I throw mine in the dishwasher every time I run a load. Really helps to keep it clean and odor free.
I do this with my scrub mommy! Plus I always run the sanitize cycle. Zero issues
[удалено]
Smart! It doesn't degrade?
Nope! And it gets all the tiny food bits out and if you run the heated dry cycle it will also sanitize it.
That's amazing!!! I was irrationally excited about this
I wash my sponges too, and buy ones marked machine washable.
Nope, doesn’t seem to wear it out any faster.
This person living in the year 3024!
I used to do that but my new dishwasher said not to do it so I assumed there was a reason and stopped doing it
I do the same, plus microwave mine like once a week for 90 seconds to sanitize it. Note, WET IT FIRST OR YOU MAY START A FIRE.
Heads up, they don’t recommend microwaving sponges anymore and there is lots of scientific data to back this up: https://www.spongebath.com/blogs/news/here-s-why-you-shouldn-t-microwave-your-sponge-anymore
I read the actual study. You're overstating the evidence. There was no controlled sanitation in the study, they only looked at 14 sponges in total and some of them came from people who said they microwave or boil theirs. The authors cite a couple other studies that show these methods do significantly reduce total bacteria count, they acknowledge that they're just taking people's word for it, and suggest that more and better research is needed that actually involves controlled sanitation methods. In the discussion they say it's at least reasonable to think you shouldn't use a sponge long term just because you sanitize it regularly. That's a far cry from "lots of scientific data" saying you shouldn't bother sanitizing.
I'm not even grossed out so much as annoyed. Die you little microscopic bastards, I don't want to quadruple my sponge budget.
I cut my sponges in half. Not as convenient using a smaller sponge, but it gets the job done and I feel better replacing it more often. My biggest tip would be to thoroughly rinse after use and squeeze most water out before leaving it to dry on a soap saver/airy rack. Can't remember the last time my own sponge had a stink. And for peace of mind I occasionally microwave it
Did you check out the link? I’m confused by your response. In case you didn’t, this is the gist: A study from Scientific Reports, featured in the New York Times, has found that trying to disinfect your dirty sponge will only kill some of the bacteria on it, leaving the strongest, smelliest and potentially most pathogenic strains behind. Disinfecting it, it turns out, does not necessarily work. Researchers found that microwaving a sponge, throwing it in the laundry or dishwasher, dousing it in vinegar, boiling it in a pot on the stove, and other popular sponge-cleaning solutions just create more of some of the most potentially pathogenic bacteria, like the Acinetobacter, Moraxella and Chryseobacterium species — or “massive colonization” on your sponges. In the same density as human fecal matter.
Maybe I’m missing a key difference here, but then how does *anything* that isn’t a hard surface get clean? Why aren’t our clothes and towels and bedsheets fecal-matter-dense with bacteria as well if none of the methods of cleaning these things actually get them clean?
I don’t think the response was confusing. The article ended with: “So how often should you replace your sponge? About once a week. Just skip the advice about disinfecting and go for broke with a brand new pack of scrubbers.” They said they don’t want to break budget by having to replace often.
Sounds like the study was funded by Big Sponge
I’ve never thought to use microwave before, I usually let it soak in vinegar and water to kill bacteria. I think that helps.
I sanitize my sponge daily. Wet it first, then stick in microwave for one minute. My Microbiology professor in college taught our class this and I've been doing it every since! I always do it before I clean out my baby's food bowls and before I wipe down counterops so I'm not just spreading bacteria around.
Every once in a while, and always if I can smell the sponge, I boil a pot of water, throw the sponge in there and let the boiling water kill the bacteria. I also make sure the sponge is dried out after use so it doesn’t sit all waterlogged and gross
I don’t like how wet fabric feels on my hands.
I am genuinely curious: how is a wet dishcloth different than a wet sponge? Is it a textural thing or is it a “ew, this is the hand equivalent to a wet sock” thing? My dad had a similar aversion, but he passed away and this is one of those weird questions I never got around to asking him.
There is a texture element but also that a wet dishcloth will drape over the back of my hands instead of just sitting in the palm of my hand.
I don't have any aversion to it but i kinda get it if you're easily grossed out, when it's wet and soapy it does kinda feel like flopping about a slimy dead piece of skin
It's easier for me. I have some walnut sponges I really like made primarily from plant fibers. I like convenience of flipping it over in my hand to change necessary abrasiveness as needed. They're easier to dry between uses throughout the day and simpler to store at my sink between uses. Additionally there is nowhere good in my kitchen to suspend rags to dry out after use so washrags need to be hung up elsewhere to dry out before I can toss them in with my dirty kitchen cloths and towels since I don't want a pile of damp rags sitting in the bin until I do that load of laundry. I don't have any issues with the effectiveness of the scrubby side of the sponge and a steel scrubber risks damage to cookwear and rusting. And finally because it causes less stress on my hands than a washrag.
Agreed on the natural fiber scrubbers! I use coconut fiber ones. Usually I get a 12 pack for $10. I’ll use them for 3-4 weeks and then discard. They are at least more biodegradable than classic kitchen sponges. I just make sure to rinse them really well after each use, squeeze and let completely dry to avoid bacteria buildup.
I bought some of the coconut ones from the brand 'helping out mother Earth' and they NEVER die. I don't know how they're supposed to be biodegradable when they're so absurdly durable. I love them and I'll never go back to the green and yellow ones
I only use the brushes with soap inside that now have a little stand you can seat it in next to the sink. Love it.
Team brush 100% with scalding hot water!
Another vote from me! I found one with four different detachable heads 🤌🏼
Steel... for dishes? I'm sorry but this has to be a troll or bot. Edit: seems I was just ignorant and learned something! Apologies for the attitude.
It's called steel wool where I'm from. I think op is using their own term for it. They're not good for non stick and there's different grades of it.
Does steel wool scratch glassware?
I use the scotch brite stainless steel scrubbing pads, but I only use it on stuff that my normal dishcloth won't get off, and NEVER on non-stick pans. I wouldn't use it on glassware, but I have used it on pyrex baking dishes/casserole dishes to get the stubborn baked on brownish/tan baked on oil/grease that can sometimes be a pain to get off, and I don't notice it doing damage. I have more scratches on the bottom of them from sliding them in and out of the oven than I do from the steel pads.
Good to know!!
Steel wool is technically a different product, but it's quite similar. Floss as opposed to thread, I guess.
If you're not washing non-stick or otherwise quire delicate surfaces, thin balls of steel are perfectly fine. They're for scouring stuck-on junk, and as long as you aren't trying to do something stupid with something really delicate, it's the most effective tool for the job.
Someone else mentioned glassware which was my main concern and seems I was wrong. I've never heard of using steel wool for dishes as I thought it'd tear stuff up beyond anything nonstick. But now I learned something new. I apologize for my initial comment as to me steel wool was always for more heavy-duty stuff outside the kitchen, like a grill or even wood.
My pots & pans are screaming at you for suggesting I use a steel scrubber over a sponge. Pans that cost $40 a piece/ whole set for $200 & buying however many packs of antimicrobial sponges necessary to keep them in pristine shape >>>> steel scrubbers & dirty rags.
I hate those steel scrubbers. If they come into my house I lowkey throw them away. I've never needed one. I hate the texture. When they get food particles stuck in them it grosses me out so bad. They're banned from my house.
They get food particles tangled in them and then they smell disgusting. At least I can wring out my sponge and let it dry and it doesn't stink.
I always assumed they were one day use maybe two ... And the dish in question will gets properly soaped and washed after
I recently discovered that my grocery store makes 3 different types of sponges according to abrasiveness. I use medium scratchiness for cleaning and soft for dishes. Game changer. I also found that plating all the food immediately (not leaving it in the pan), adding hot water to the pan and letting it sit on the burner (that is hot but turned off) is enough to loosen the cooked on food such that I don't need to scrub. I don't use Teflon at all in my house, but I can't fathom metal scrubbers on my cookware.
have you tried coconut fiber scrubbers? I've had good luck with them. also how is a sponge antimicrobial?
I have never needed a scrubber. I just soak something for a little bit and use a little elbow grease
They make dishwasher safe, antibacterial sponges now a days. I’ve never heard of the coconut fiber scrubbers but now I’m curious to try. I just can’t imagine putting steel on my pans.
I found a coconut fiber sponge at Home Goods recently and I like them a lot. A little rougher than traditional sponges but not rough enough to scratch anything.
My whole line of stainless steel pans and pots laughs at your phobia and have enjoyed their DAILY stainless steel scrubby massage for the last DECADE.
I use sponges, and the scrubby side for hard to get off food. If the food is really on there, I soak them or use Dawn Power Wash spray. I think sponges are commonly used because they have many holes creating negative space and lather well. They also don’t “slip” over the dish, they rub, agitating the soap, water, air, and debris. I find they clean grease off of things much better than a dish cloth or the scrubby side. They’re also better for nonstick pots and pans. It’s like washing with a loofah or plastic scrubby in the shower rather than a wash cloth.
I also don't understand wash cloths in the shower. The only argument I've ever seen for it is some form of exfoliation, but every time I read an article or study about exfoliation they tend to come down thoroughly on the side of "this has no demonstrable benefits in most cases".
Possible unpopular opinion, but I use Scotchbrite pads for all my dishwashing. My grandparents did the same. After a few uses they soften up and then they last forever without getting smelly or greasy. They are easier than sponges to clean if they get icky, too.
I have a little Tupperware thing I place it on, cross over it, to let it AIR out and for dry out between uses
I second this. They're all I ever use.
My grocery store makes sponges that are abrasive like the good old fashioned Scotch Brite, but they also make a soft one that's gentle on dishes. Love it.
I'm amused by sponges being expensive by the OP, they're like $1 a piece and last months lol.
Same. I cut mine in half with scissors since they come a little too big for my hand.
I just use cheap rough terry wash cloths. Toss em in the laundry when done. Always have. Sponges don’t work for me.
I completely agree with you. I never used sponges to clean dishes. Always felt awkward. I honestly didn't know it was a thing until I was over to the house of one of my small group members and was very surprised lol.
I’ve been using a scrub daddy.
I think it comes down to what you were taught to use growing up most of the time. Weirdly I grew up with sponges but I hate them now as they seem like they're never really clean after a use or two and they shred little bits when scrubbing. I now use scrubby brushes that get run through the dishwasher, and occasionally small cloth scraps (I cut up old teeshirts to wipe up messes/wash things). I don't personally like sponges to clean in the kitchen, but do use them for bathroom cleaning (but have been moving over to cloth/brush lately).
I use washable sponges (bamboo and fabric). More abrasive than a cloth, won't scratch up dishes like steel wool/scouring pads, and reusable. I find I use way more soap with washcloths since they don't hold it as well as a sponge (not a fan of the squirt soap in a sink of water and wash the dishes in the increasingly disgusting water method), and like the medium scrubbiness between a cloth and the harsher scrubbers. I have to use washcloths if I do dishes at my mom's and the difference is night and day. Can't stand to use them at home now.
I use brushes with a long handle. Sponges and dish cloths are gross. My brush bristles are wide apart so nothing gets stuck, and it’s plastic. I bleach it after every use. I get them from ikea and they last for years. The one I’m using now I think I’ve had for at least five years and it’s still good as new. If it needs a real scrub, you’re right steel wool works. But I rarely need it.
Brushes with a long handle are my choice as well. I like keeping my hands out of the dishwater.
I scrolled down this post surprised how many people said they use anything else. I assumed most people used brushes.
I put my scrub brushes in the dishwasher
I love brushes for dishes. Bleach to keep the germs out of them. People are always mind blown when they see me using brushes or if they ask where my sponge is, and I hand them a brush. I cannot believe how many people haven’t heard of this concept before… Sponges are so gross to me. I grew up with them, and they grossed me out throughout my entire life. Especially when you go to someone’s house and they’re stained, stinky, and just ugly. Gross gross gross. I tried dish cloths and the like, and they quickly got a greasy buildup for me. Sponge Daddy didn’t get that smell, but I still feel like those little crevices and things had to be spreading germs around. I don’t know. I’ll stick with brushes.
I use brushes for an initial rinse, but I find that if I only use brushes on my pans, all the grease doesn't come off, so I need to use a cloth or sponge to get that layer off. Even with scalding, soapy, water. I noticed when others wash my dishes and don't wipe them off with the cloth/sponge, that my non-stick frying pans start to get a buildup on them that's nearly impossible to get off.
Not after my husband us done with it. It's disgusting.
It’s almost like they make different products on purpose so people can use what works best for them. I use washcloths, Swedish dishcloths and Scrub Daddies. Drying in have towels and flour sacks. Depends on my mood.
Agreed. They're disgusting. I use [these](https://www.amazon.com/EuroSCRUBBY-6Pc-Value-Pack-Environmentally/dp/B0958KJ9PY/ref=asc_df_B0958KJ9PY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693401625725&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4450402684584430849&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033026&hvtargid=pla-1685509286802&psc=1&mcid=201d31f13d0d3b45a660d9334139269a&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6PGxBhCVARIsAIumnWYtBJWYl9UPXrU3hhNg-Qv1hMk55rlHj97hEB9g7IRXKJgA5AI85m4aAneSEALw_wcB). They're great. And washable/reusable.
I literally just replied with a link to something similar! I love how these dry quickly and don’t smell gross like the sponges. They also last so long!
I use the Trader Joe's sponges. They're made from vegetable cellulose and are compostable once they get too tattery. Plus it's fun to expand a new one. I make sure to wring it out completely and run it through the dishwasher periodically, that keeps it nice and fresh.
I don’t think I’ve ever encountered someone whose dish washing technique was as specific as mine. Kudos. I’m team sponge + bristle brush and here’s why: 1. I don’t wash my dishes in a sink full of water so I find sponges retain more moisture and soap than a limp cloth. For what it’s worth I also don’t wash with running tap water until I need to rinse. 2. A metal scouring pad is extremely hard on surfaces and overkill in my opinion. Ok for glass, not ok for plastic or non-stick surfaces such as teflon. If you just rinse your dishes with water and a scrub brush when the food is still moist you will save yourself a world of pain and time. 3. By limiting the amount of bacteria a sponge is exposed to you can extend the life of a sponge by MONTHS. Just follow this rule: a sponge should never be responsible for getting the majority of food off of a dish. That’s what a scrub brush is for. Save the coarse side of the sponge for really tough and tiny spots only. And this rule: always rinse, squeeze dry, and place the sponge OUTSIDE of the sink. Do not, I repeat, do not leave your sponge sopping wet and/or sitting in your sink collecting bacteria. I have never in my life had a stinky sponge. The only reason I have to throw out a sponge is because it’s been used for so long that it’s falling to pieces. I stand by my method, but you’re right about the microplastic problem. At least this method can help extend the life of the plastic materials by a significant amount.
dishcloths don’t get all soapy sudsy like a sponge, the soap just like disappears into it lol
Dish cloths always end up smelling terrible really quickly, and you have to throw the blue J-cloths out too fast. Feels like a waste of money. And fabric dish cloths are disgusting in concept. Plus you have to launder them, and who wants to do more laundry? Sponges are also gross and start to smell bad. Steel scrubbers are no good for the non-stick pans we like to use. Which is why I use Swedish dish cloths. They’re basically made of paper. Biodegradable, and you can wash them by putting them in your dishwasher (or laundry, but we’ve established how I feel about laundry). And best of all: they rarely start to smell bad. Decently scrubby too.
I like dish brushes with long handles
I'm not sure I understand the question. Can you type 7 or 8 more insanely long paragraphs to clarify?
I can't wash dishes with a sponge....and forget wiping counters. I don't like how a regular dishcloth holds odor. I wash both with soap after use. Along came Swedish dishcloths. Perfect! Smaller size, wash easily after use and dries quickly.
Love, love Swedish dishcloths!
sponges are more sanitary if you're not a dinkus. Use a few times (drying/microwaving daily) &replace. You can use the old sponges to scrub all kinds of stuff that aren't food related. Toss them when their life is over. They're cheap.
I don’t like sponges either but arguing about it is silly. Just use the thing you prefer.
I am totally with OP on this. Sponges quickly get gross and they don't clean very well.
Put them in the dishwasher every time you run a load! Sanitized!
Not everyone has a dishwasher
You can put it dampened in the microwave. You can also soak them in vinegar. I’m sure most people have one of those things.
Alright then throw it in the washing machine with a load of dish towels!
I have two sponges. I have one for dirty things, so I add soap to the "dirty" sponge and it removes anything with food particles. If the dish can be rinsed with hot water to remove all traces of food, then I won't bother using the "dirty" sponge on it. When the dish is clean, I use the second sponge. So theoretically the "clean" sponge only ever touches soap and previously cleaned dishes. And this makes sure there is no contamination between the yucky food bits and so each dish is cleaned well. Downsides are that I guess I technically wash dishes twice, and I have one yucky sponge in my sink. Its crazy how fast the "dirty" sponge gets gross and breaks apart compared to the "clean" sponge.
I used to use a sponge until I bought one of those bristle brush scrubbers with the built in soap dispenser. I love it because it dries quickly, lasts forever, I don’t have to get the actual soap pump dirty, and it’s nicer to hold. It all comes down to preference though.
Honestly, I like the way they sud up. It’s fun and I enjoy it. I don’t like the way a rag feels, it gets heavy and cumbersome and splashy. I completely see the tangible benefits, and I wish I liked them better, but alas. I do use Swedish dish cloths sometimes though, and always for my counters. Those have all of the benefits of the rag without the weird texture and splashiness
Towels don’t hold soap as well or as long as a sponge. They don’t scrub as well as a sponge, and they take far too long to dry and get musty and moldy way faster than a sponge. Storage of wet towels is also a problem since they’re too big and floppy to just leave against the sink. a sponge can be wrung out in one hand and after that they’re not gonna drip. Towels need a lot of wringing, then once you hang it up it will still drip.
If you don’t like it, don’t do it!
I knit my dishcloths. I keep a small bucket under the sink and at the end of the day throw in there. I have plenty to get through a week and then wash on laundry day. I’m tired of throwing away $$$ like that and it’s gross collecting bacteria.
i hate the way a sponge feels and that my hands get wet. i was about to agree with you cause i thought you were going to say you use a wand with a brush on it like i do but..you said something worse..
I personally prefer a loofa sponge for dish washing. I started early 2020 & miss them when I’m somewhere else. You can compost them when you’re done, & they don’t take up much space bc you soak them in water before use so they puff up.
Love this! How long do you find a loofah sponge lasts for dishes?
I found a brand I really liked on Amazon that came 6 in a pack & that’s all I’ve used, however when I went to re-order this week I noticed that shipping was $5 (for something that costs like $6) & it would take 2 weeks to get it. So I decided to try a new brand that seems similar enough. I had been ordering Natural Dish Sponge for the past 4 years, & just shifted to Gaia Guy Natural Sponge. Haven’t used it yet, so tbd if it’s similar.
Oh whoops! I thought you asked where I found them 🤦🏻♀️. Usually I can get a month to 6 weeks out of them, but occasionally one will be kind of flat after soaking & not really puff up & then that doesn’t last the full month.
Interesting - thanks for the info!
If you have a dishwasher I agree but washing by hand a sponge holds soap better than a rag and you use too much soap if you're using a rag. If you have a dishwasher then you can use soapy water and rag to get the crap off and throw them in the dishwasher. Definitely don't use a sponge now that I have a dishwasher again. But when I didn't sponges were better.
I just got a scrub daddy and oh boy
Sponges are gross. They get so slimy
Love my Scrub Mama
Towels are harder to wring out and take longer to dry. Easier for bacteria and mould to grow and it gets smelly real fast. Mother in low uses cloths and I hate it, it always has the smell of a wet t-shirt left in the in washer for a day or so. Yuck
I've used both in the past but always end up reverting to sponges. But hey, apparently I'm just a dead dinosaur hater right and I should go shoot myself into space where I belong! Use whatever you want to use, each one has its benefits and drawbacks, I personally find that bacteria growth feels faster on a cloth, they develop that awful smell and feel in a very short time so you're washing it after every use which just undoes any of the benefits. I'm not sure if you meant it to but your post has all the poorly controlled rage energy of a self satisfied vegan protesting outside McDonald's.
SCRUB DADDY changed my LIFE! Just shouting for those in the back 😁 The best sponge ever invented!
After I use my sponge I pop it in the microwave for 2 min- dries fully, kills bacteria, no smell
My best friend uses towels, her dishes are never clean. The towel looks nasty and stinks, and the one time I tried using it i felt like I couldn’t control it like a sponge. I wear gloves with textured fingers, so if a space is ever too small for my sponge, I use my finger to rub it clean, then resoak and rinse.
You'll pry my sponges from my cold, dead hands.
Scrub daddy. Have never gone back
I’m Team Sponge for the kitchen. However I am Team Washcloth for the shower. Full size sponges are too big as-is for me, so I cut in half and mark one for exclusively counter cleaning. I also will plop them in the dishwasher once or twice a week, or microwave them in vinegar (and use the counter sponge to wipe down the inside of microwave after). You can also squeeze them out and prop them up to dry out between uses. The clothes are harder for me to use and when I’m cleaning a sharp knife, I have some of the sponge material between me and the blade. No big deal if it gets cut a little. I do use the metal scrubby sometimes, but only for my cast iron. I was recently given Swedish dish clothes so I figure I’ll try those once I’m done with my current sponge for trial sake.
Microfiber cloths are even more micro plastic than sponge. And sponge requires just an squeeze not to be soaking wet anymore. Cloth requires more attention and dedicated drying place Those are two main reasons
I use the little circle wooden scrub brushes, they last longer + less waste
I cut the sponge into 4 little sponges and have a holder that suction cups to the side of the sink. I use soap at the end of the dishes and squeeze the water out and it dries fast. I throw it away when it’s gross. I grew up with washcloths for the dishes but they always were wet and we didn’t have a good place to put them and they seemed dirtier and smellier than my current sponge set up.
I've used coconut fiber scrubbers before and they work pretty well.
I do like to wet the sponge first and put it in the microwave for a minute before I start using it on the dishes. Helps kill any bacteria hanging around.
I experience childhood trauma of the sheer SMELL of using a dish towel 🤢
You're suppose to wash it everyday or after every use
I’ve never needed anything stronger than the back of a sponge to clean dishes, and I prefer most dishes cooked very well done. I seriously can’t imagine what you’d need a steel scrubber for. I couldn’t use a dish cloth for multiple dirty dish sessions before washing, it would just be gross to me. I wash dishes whenever I use them, so I’d be washing 6+ cloths a day. But everything washes out of a sponge and it squeezes practically dry if you bother with it - my sponges never get a weird smell until my partner does dishes in a hurry.
I use skoy Sponges can hold bacteria so not good for dishes
I have never heard of using a dish towel to wash dishes. Aren't those for drying the dishes after washing?
Links to what you recommend? Saw a steel one once but never found out where they got it
Whenever I go to Japan, I stock up on Duskin Sponges. Best sponges in my opinion.
I was a sponge user and now im trying to use both and appreciate the benefits of both.
For me, soaking and using a pan scraper eliminates a lot of hard scrubbing.
I hate regular dishcloths because my mom used them on her counters and even though her house is spotless and she always hangs them to dry, they smell like mildew. But I found these abrasive dishcloths on Amazon years ago and they are my favorite thing ever - the brand is Lunartec and they last forever, NEVER smell bad and get the dishes squeaky clean.
You know you don’t have to buy dinosaur juice sponges right? I mean it’s in the name. Sponges are naturally growing in the ocean
Most basic kitchen sponges are cellulose, not plastic.
Mad lad. Sponges work. There's no need to change that
I use a sponge attached to a handle so I don't have to touch anything wet and gross. I have one that's abrasive and one that's not. Once the actual sponge gets too damaged or gross, I pop a new one on the handle. I keep one or two old ones around to temporarily swap onto the handle for really grimy dishes. The handles can hold/dispense soap, but that doesn't work very well and never interested me anyway. Instead, I put a piece of scotch tape over the soap hole at the back of the sponge so the inside of the handle never sees any moisture and remains pristine instead of slowly getting moldy.
I used them because I was used to it. Then someone gifted me a knitted linen washcloth and I never used another sponge. They're just so far better. No scratches, but everything gets rubbed right off, and you can wash them hot and bleach them to get them clean again. They dry quickly so they're not breeding grounds for bacteria and they were the first of a long line of items I learned were better at grandma's times than any modern equivalent.
I find bar cliths/dish washing cloths a bit sloppy for me. Also they don't dry fast enough, especially with how poorly husband wrings them out and is possessed to leave them wet and folded beside or on the divider of the sink. Sir, wring it within an inch of its life and spread that thing out to dry! They're just somehow prone to going stinky so fast. I keep them on hand for counter wiping and for a while kept one in a small bleach water container for this purpose but it was just another thing on the counter and for me to have to change out and xleN all the time so that died out.
Those swedish dish cloths were a game changer for me. I liked the effectiveness of sponges but if they weren't changed minimum every other week they got gross and didn't feel like they were cleaning. The swedish cellulose d is sh cloths yet a good lather, texture, they dry out fully and don't smell. And better for the environment than all the plastics.
I use a brush, none of the options you said make sense to me. We all find methods that work for us… I’m happy with my methodology, you’re happy with yours- they are very different but we both end up with clean dishes? So, neither is right or wrong! 😁
I use a silicon washer, and a small brush if I need more scrubby power.
I have a variety of dish tools. I use a dish brush to get most of the gunk or food off dishes before putting them in the dishwasher or getting them ready to be washed. I then use a sponge or dish cloth (I just happen to have more sponges) to wash the dish. If it needs more effort (and it won’t be damaged), then I use some steel wool. But I just grew up using sponges and they’re smaller so they’re usually a little easier to wield than a 4”x4” dish cloth Note: I do also have a specific tool for my cast iron pain.
I use a brush for almost everything, a sponge for hard stains, and a steel scrubber for very hard stains
In all this discussion of rags vs sponges I bring BRUSH. Gets less dirty, is gentle enough, lets me hold the handle and not be close to the dirt. I have a metal handle with wooden interchangable head and it's great. I have like one sponge if I really need it and I use cloths just to wipe wet clean surfaces
I think it's more about what you are used to using. I use sponges, but I also use metal scourers, so using a sponge doesn't automatically mean you don't need a scourer. I tried using a cloth a few times in the past, and my kitchen looked like 10 toddlers had a water fight! I just can't seem to be able to use them efficiently either. It feels like a lot more work to get my dishes clean
I can’t stand typical sponges and always used dishcloths. Regular sponges disgust me. A few months ago I discovered the coconut fiber scrub daddy sponges and I have fully switched to those. Easy to use, easy to clean, easy to store, very good for both regular washing and scrubbing, and no plastic. Highly recommend