Credit: Courtesy of Ty Mecham & Rocky Luten, 11 Better-for-You Sponges for a More Sanitary Clean. So, whats your best bet for keeping sponges sanitary? I use the brand Kuchenprofi, but there are so many options on Amazon, the Zero Waste Store and Zero Waste Outlet. A brush, unlike the highly absorbent sponge (which becomes a bacteria hotbed when dampened), responds well to a simple cleaning with hot water and detergent every few days. As an Amazon and Shareasale Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?
Maybe it's time to break up with sponges. And the Zero Waste Store and Zero Waste Outlet also carry coconut fiber sponges. Sponges make quick work of everything from hand-washing dishes to cleaning countertops, but if you've always felt like there's just something kind ofwellgross about them, you're not alone. These look and feel like the regular sponges you use now, except they are made from all-natural wood pulp. I recommend dedicating one to dishes and a second to counters and surfaces. Thats nothing to panic about your intestinal tract is a safe, functional place. Permacrafters has a nice video tutorial using old stockings. But the lifespan of a sponge varies from household to household.
Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday. Still sponges are kind of gross. And don't forget to replace them every two weeks. The tawashi is often advertised as a vegetable brush, but it also works well as a way to clean pots and pans. I have a silicone version that I have used and loved for YEARS but if I was buying new I might opt to try a more sustainable bamboo version. To others it might seem incredibly foreign! That means your hands never have to come in contact with your water supply and you can crank that scalding heat for maximum cleanliness whenever you please. You can use microfiber cloths when theyre dry or damp you can preserve the dry ones for a long, long time. Toss all three into your kitchen laundry at the end of the day! You can find lots of compostable sponges on Amazon. Thanks! Loofahs are dried fruits that become fibrous, firm and look like sponges. The heads are replaceable so you dont have to buy a new brush handle each time you swap the brush out. Swedish dish cloths are made with wood (or cellulose) fibers and cotton. There are probably no other places on earth with such high bacterial densities, Egert wrote, before explaining that this kind of bacteria density is on par with what you might find in a human stool sample. Thank you Ros !!! For extra credit: See that the ceramic tray has a spring-platform construction inside that creates a nice foam when you dip your brush into it with a little soap and water. Id love to hear more about it in the comments. If that's not enough to make you want to toss that grimy sponge, consider previous research that suggests your kitchen sponge is even dirtier than your toilet seat. Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. 16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022. Oh, and FYI prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. This isnt actually a replacement for a sponge, but it can be a helpful supplemental tool! Now, what I am proposing is not a full germ-induced meltdown, because the world is filled with all sorts of unavoidable bacteria. Shop Now: Peachy Clean Silicone Dish Scrubber, $7, bedbathandbeyond.com. They're also easier to clean, since they're less porous, and many can even stand up to hot water cycles in your dishwasher or washing machine for more thorough and regular cleaning. Might you be interested in a more hygienic alternative? Traditional ones are made with palm fibers from coconut or hemp which are held together by metal wire. Natural fibers arent the only materials you can use to scrub your pots and pans. When youre done with the dishcloths for good, they are compostable. So what gives? To some, the idea of washing dishes with a towel will sound obvious. To limit bacterial growth, thoroughly rinse and wring sponges out after useand keep them in an open dish where air can circulate so that they dry thoroughly. It can pick up wet substances just as well as it collects dirt and dust. Scrubbers made from certain types of materials like stainless steel or foam (like the popular Scrub Daddy) can be washed in the dishwasher and tend to try out more quickly, which can prevent bacteria growth. Shop our selects, and you'll wish you made the swap sooner. Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Funny enough, the fibers are proven to be antimicrobial on their own. Form them into cloth tawashis (instead of the traditional coconut fiber ones) and scrub away. With that said, to further sanitize them between uses you can occasionally soak the brush head bristles for a few minutes in white vinegar. They are compostable, biodegradable, sustainable and better for the environment. And yet, youll find at least one in almost any home kitchen. The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, andmost commonlychanging up our look. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. This process makes them incredibly easy to use for washing dishes. Who has time to thoroughly wash their sponge after every single use or, worse, restock at the grocery store every single week? If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know, Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors, Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. Loofahs can actually be eaten if harvested when the fruit is young. How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly. Not only are they powerhouses for removing hardened food residue, but they also prove easy to clean easier than your fine-tooth combs, in fact. Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details. I usually disinfect them once a week or so by boiling them in hot water for a couple minutes before draining and leaving them to dry completely. If youre not sure how long youve been using yours, its probably been too long. Loofahs are the fruit of a tropical vine plant in the cucumber family. Each one has a drying rope for easy and complete drying between uses. And when theyre worn and no longer useable, my mom rinses the fibers out and adds them to the garden. The handles are often made from stainless steel or sustainable wood like bamboo or beechwood. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Ditch your current dish sponge for these eco friendly kitchen sponge alternatives.
Take it from microbiologist Markus Egert and his team of scientists at the University of Furtwangen in Germany. Ever heard of a tawashi? Like a cross between a kitchen rag and a sponge, this highly absorbent cloth is suitable for a wide-range of cleaning tasks, including washing dishes, cleaning countertops, and even scrubbing the bathroom. Hey, I'm Ros, and it is all about zen gardens, affirmations and a few recipes here. Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. And thats it! Microfiber is a reliable alternative thanks to its absorption power. Ones thatll help you sleep better at night. Paired with detergent, paper towels are just as effective at eliminating bacteria as cloths and sponges. Imagine having a dish sponge that is antimicrobial without the soap! We have you covered. These brushes will dry more easily than a conventional sponge, making them a naturally cleaner alternative. It's heat-resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can dip it in boiling water or toss it in your dishwasher to give it a thorough clean. 4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad. You certainly wont find those with the Vigar, which stays perfectly intact for months on end. Its a Japanese term used for scrubbing brushes. Clean them regularly by adding them to a hot dishwasher cycle. The damp and stained cloths just need a trip to the washing machine. The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022. The downside: theyre a one-and-done solution. When you think metal, you think tough, and these copper sponges are certainly thatthey're able to remove that won't-come-off grease and food residue from nearly any surface. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. And if you prefer to purchase from more eco-conscious companies, try these from wood based sponges from the Zero Waste Store and Zero Waste Outlet. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Amazon has lots of loofah options as does the Zero Waste Store and Zero Waste Outlet. Silicone scrubbers (like this one by Peachy Clean) are nonporous and do not harbor bacteria. You should worry when you contaminate your sponges with dangerous bacteria like E. coli and campylobacter, or when you fail to properly disinfect your cleaning tools after contact with raw meat. Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. For hard-to-clean items like reusable water bottles, baby bottles, and bud vases, try this silicone brush. Ignore the fear-mongering headlines for a second and get the facts: its unlikely that these bacteria will harm you. We hope you love the products we recommend! Others even come with a wooden handle attachment. As for the bristles, they are usually made from coconut, palm or union fibers. All of them were independently selected by our editors. So pop them into your compost bin or send them off to your local composting facility. It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot. Here's a flexible and durable food-grade silicone sponge with soft bristles to gently scrub dishes (even nonstick pots and pans!) Reporting on what you care about. These natural and biodegradable sponges are made from pure loofah plants are tough enough to tackle grease, but soft enough to use on gentle materials like nonstick pots and pans. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! And cleaning them isnt necessarily effective: An oft-cited 2017 study published in Scientific American reported that sanitation methods including microwaving sponges or washing them in the dishwasher could actually increase bacteria. Another benefit is how much money they save you with reduced cleaning product consumption. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Shop Now: Grove Collaborative Coconut Scouring Pad, $5 for 2, grove.co. Well, it is made of synthetic materials, usually polyester for the soft, squishy section and polyurethane for the more abrasive side. Also dont use a dishwashing towel for other cleaning purposes in your home or kitchen. All Rights Reserved. If youre a fan of a handled dish sponge (like these popular soap dispensing scrubbers), wooden dish brushes are effective, more eco friendly sponge alternatives. Other natural materials like jute can also be used. 
Not sure what to write in a thank you card? They will break down into natural products and wont be harmful to the environment. However, none of that changes the bottom line: The stuff you clean your dishes with gets very nasty, very quickly. Because these alternatives have fewer crevices and are made of quick-drying materials like silicon, bamboo, and bristles, they're less likely to facilitate bacteria growth. Shop Now: Full Circle Wool Sponges, $12, housework.store. 
To clean it, simply toss it in the washing machine on a hot cycle once a week. With all that in mind, weve rounded up three Journal-approved brushes to scrub away your former germ-y days in the kitchen. A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Just without the microplastics falling off and entering the water system. Hi. Ive searched far and wide for healthy and practically affordable alternatives and this article has given me another place to start looking. Many are sold after compressing and cutting into more of a traditional sponge shape. You have changed my perspective about sponges, really. You can use one of these dishcloths for up to 6 months. Many of the products we chose are made from environmentally friendly materials, which means they're better for the planet as much as they are for your home. Even if you sanitize your sponge regularly, you are still best off replacing your conventional kitchen sponge once a week. Its a well-known fact that sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. This tough-as-nails silicone sponge is antimicrobial and infused with peach fragrance to keep odors at bay and infuse your cleaning routine with a fresh scent, sans harmful chemical alternatives. How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles. This product does it all (and by that I mean two things): scrubs and dispenses. It has a long-reach handle and soft, flexible bristles to scrub narrow nooks and crannies. Many homeowners find the idea of using the same grubby sponge unappealing, and there's evidently a good reason why. and surfaces without scratching. Youll be surprised at how effective they can be. Doing so will cause the wood to warp and crack and render the brush useless! But they are still gentle enough to use on just about all of your kitchen wares (maybe with the exception of fragile items like crystal and China). (Not completely, anyway.) A double-sided sponge with a high-tech microfiber cloth on one side for a soft, lint-free clean; a scrubber to cut through grease and baked on messes on the other. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. And to clean the sponge thoroughly between uses with a mixture of water and bleach, then wring it out as much as possible so that it can dry. less likely to facilitate bacteria growth. When they absorb water, they become soft and squishy making them wonderful kitchen sponge alternatives. If youre going to be using the brush daily, soaking the bristles in distilled white vinegar for a couple of hours once a week is highly recommended. Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. Always, always use a separate cloth or paper towel for that. Its all here in the Full Circle. (Congrats!). Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! Studies have shown that sponges are the dirtiest object in your houseincluding the toilet. Many have adorable patterns too. Or, if the idea of cleaning your dishes with a grimy sponge is enough to make you want to switch to paper plates forever (dont do that), there are some alternatives. Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. While this quality makes them very hygienic, paper towels can be wasteful if you overuse them. Find great products and the best-money saving deals around, delivered right to your inbox. That means, I can earn a commission for qualifying purchases. At the end of their use, remove the wire and repurpose and compost the fibers. As it turns out, germ experts say the average kitchen sponge really is one of the dirtiest items in the home. You can also repurpose your old clothing like tshirts, dresses and more. It Might Be Time to Toss Your Kitchen Sponge for Good. });
, A Clean Bee is reader-supported. We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept. Dont just take it from me. Beat it, soap bottles. They are really absorbent and act like all-natural, eco-friendly sponges but they also behave like microfiber cloths. That is far longer than the single week of use youll get out of a regular kitchen sponge! Dishcloths dry faster than sponges, making them less susceptible to bacteria. containerEl: '#fd-form-615b594fc71e8685f183ba4f'
Obsessed with travel? Here's another two-sided sponge, which delivers double the cleaning power and a proprietary technology that makes it possible to sanitize without harsh chemicals. Minimize your environmental impact and try these alternatives instead. Shop Now: Kuhn Rikon Silicone Scrubber, $6, williams-sonoma.com. The soap, stored in the body, gets released with a light push of a button on top. At the end of the day toss the (dry) used towels in a dirty laundry bin. But if youre washing dishes with a new sponge every week, you will be using (and throwing away) at least 52 sponges over the course of a year! The reason is simple: they never dry. Whats also great is that any food debris that gets stuck in the bristles washes away easily. The classy bamboo detailing makes it an item you wont feel sloppy leaving out on the counter, and the long handle provides a great deal of control while scrubbing off stubborn residue. This makes sponges (almost) impossible to clean. Instead, Im calling for an orderly switch to the kitchen brush. Nowadays though, the fibers are often compressed and shaped to resemble the scrubbers we use today. That means they are all-natural, plant-based, and compostable. Unlike most sponges which are made from plant cellulose, these are made with a fast-drying polyurethane foam and treated with an antimicrobial agent that discourages the growth of odor-causing bacteria. That means it is made of plastic. The options listed below are long lasting, made from sustainable materials, and are arguably cleaner than using a traditional kitchen sponge. Pair any of these options with low or zero waste dish soap to make your kitchen even more sustainable! So, what should you do? We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. Its never too late to try. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. formId: '615b594fc71e8685f183ba4f',
By the way, I'm part of the Shareasale and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program (affiliate program). I would use a second towel for wiping counters and surfaces and a third towel for wiping floor messes. They are disposable, after all. This is the safest option for wiping down surfaces that have had contact with raw meat. They also break down into microplastics which are quickly becoming an air, water, and soil pollutant. Another solution: Adopt the growing trend of using better-for-you sponges in your own kitchen. By dustqueen | August 26, 2019 | Blog, Home Cleaning. Ever had your house looked at by a professional? Actually, most of the recommended sponge cleaning methods arent terribly effective. So often the items in our home go to waste simply because we failed to care for them properly - my mission is to help you learn the simplest, healthiest ways to care for your home. It is made from durable palm fibers that are tougher than the scrubbing side of a conventional kitchen sponge. Their 2017 study published in Scientific Reports revealed 362 different species of bacteria lurking in the nooks and crannies of the household sponges theyd collected. Natural loofahs are a bit more coarse in texture. Shop Now: Barkly Basics Black & White Scourer Sponge, $6, anthropologie.com. These sponges are designed from sustainable fiberswood pulp, cotton, and hemp. Though technically a vegetable scrubber, this Japanese brush is much more versatileuse it to scour pots and pans, wash dinnerware, or even scrub your stovetop. A sturdy scrub brush that can be washed in the dishwasher is another alternativeover time, it too, will need to be replaced, but with proper care it can outlast a regular sponge. My parents have been using coconut fibers to wash their dishes for as long as I can remember. For tricky messes like burnt eggs on a stainless steel pan, or burnt anything on any type of pan for that matter, a scraper tool is extremely helpful! This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden. Barkly Basics Black & White Scourer Sponge. Read my privacy policy and disclosures , Copyright 2022 A Clean Bee | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, replacing your conventional kitchen sponge once a week. Cellulose based sponge (Zero Waste Outlet), Coconut kitchen scourers (Zero Waste Store).
We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage itemsfirst, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasonsto add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. While they work well to remove debris from your plates, cups, pots, and pans, they also quickly develop hundreds of species of bacteria. From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. Thats right: The quick-drying, eco-friendly, easy-to-use, and, ultimately, far more hygienic cleaning tool of choice for your dinnerware. Shop Now: Ekobo Claro Compostable Sponge Blocks, $10.40 for 2, finnishdesignshop.com. So when youre done with them, you can add them to the compost bin or send to an industrial composting facility. The downside is that some types can be are slippery when wet, which can makes dish washing tricky.
And thats not an opinion its a fact. Start with a fresh dishcloth every day and toss the dirty one in the washing machine and wash in hot water. Make gathering with loved ones a priority. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. Plus, the brush is made in a ring shape so you can hang it to dry completely between uses. Eco Friendly Coffee Maker The French Press, How to Clean a Stainless Steel Coffee Pot. Save them for wiping countertops after cooking and use them sparingly when you do. Shop Now: Skura Style Antimicrobial Sponge, $15 for 4, store.177milkstreet.com. Some even come with metal hooks so you can hang them over the sink to dry. This makes the tawashi a much more sanitary alternative to a regular sponge! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. While there are plenty of sanitary measures we can all take to see that our household sponge does not become a horror show, the reality is there is just too much unnecessary upkeep required.
Maybe it's time to break up with sponges. And the Zero Waste Store and Zero Waste Outlet also carry coconut fiber sponges. Sponges make quick work of everything from hand-washing dishes to cleaning countertops, but if you've always felt like there's just something kind ofwellgross about them, you're not alone. These look and feel like the regular sponges you use now, except they are made from all-natural wood pulp. I recommend dedicating one to dishes and a second to counters and surfaces. Thats nothing to panic about your intestinal tract is a safe, functional place. Permacrafters has a nice video tutorial using old stockings. But the lifespan of a sponge varies from household to household.
Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday. Still sponges are kind of gross. And don't forget to replace them every two weeks. The tawashi is often advertised as a vegetable brush, but it also works well as a way to clean pots and pans. I have a silicone version that I have used and loved for YEARS but if I was buying new I might opt to try a more sustainable bamboo version. To others it might seem incredibly foreign! That means your hands never have to come in contact with your water supply and you can crank that scalding heat for maximum cleanliness whenever you please. You can use microfiber cloths when theyre dry or damp you can preserve the dry ones for a long, long time. Toss all three into your kitchen laundry at the end of the day! You can find lots of compostable sponges on Amazon. Thanks! Loofahs are dried fruits that become fibrous, firm and look like sponges. The heads are replaceable so you dont have to buy a new brush handle each time you swap the brush out. Swedish dish cloths are made with wood (or cellulose) fibers and cotton. There are probably no other places on earth with such high bacterial densities, Egert wrote, before explaining that this kind of bacteria density is on par with what you might find in a human stool sample. Thank you Ros !!! For extra credit: See that the ceramic tray has a spring-platform construction inside that creates a nice foam when you dip your brush into it with a little soap and water. Id love to hear more about it in the comments. If that's not enough to make you want to toss that grimy sponge, consider previous research that suggests your kitchen sponge is even dirtier than your toilet seat. Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. 16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022. Oh, and FYI prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. This isnt actually a replacement for a sponge, but it can be a helpful supplemental tool! Now, what I am proposing is not a full germ-induced meltdown, because the world is filled with all sorts of unavoidable bacteria. Shop Now: Peachy Clean Silicone Dish Scrubber, $7, bedbathandbeyond.com. They're also easier to clean, since they're less porous, and many can even stand up to hot water cycles in your dishwasher or washing machine for more thorough and regular cleaning. Might you be interested in a more hygienic alternative? Traditional ones are made with palm fibers from coconut or hemp which are held together by metal wire. Natural fibers arent the only materials you can use to scrub your pots and pans. When youre done with the dishcloths for good, they are compostable. So what gives? To some, the idea of washing dishes with a towel will sound obvious. To limit bacterial growth, thoroughly rinse and wring sponges out after useand keep them in an open dish where air can circulate so that they dry thoroughly. It can pick up wet substances just as well as it collects dirt and dust. Scrubbers made from certain types of materials like stainless steel or foam (like the popular Scrub Daddy) can be washed in the dishwasher and tend to try out more quickly, which can prevent bacteria growth. Shop our selects, and you'll wish you made the swap sooner. Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Funny enough, the fibers are proven to be antimicrobial on their own. Form them into cloth tawashis (instead of the traditional coconut fiber ones) and scrub away. With that said, to further sanitize them between uses you can occasionally soak the brush head bristles for a few minutes in white vinegar. They are compostable, biodegradable, sustainable and better for the environment. And yet, youll find at least one in almost any home kitchen. The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, andmost commonlychanging up our look. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. This process makes them incredibly easy to use for washing dishes. Who has time to thoroughly wash their sponge after every single use or, worse, restock at the grocery store every single week? If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know, Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors, Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. Loofahs can actually be eaten if harvested when the fruit is young. How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly. Not only are they powerhouses for removing hardened food residue, but they also prove easy to clean easier than your fine-tooth combs, in fact. Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details. I usually disinfect them once a week or so by boiling them in hot water for a couple minutes before draining and leaving them to dry completely. If youre not sure how long youve been using yours, its probably been too long. Loofahs are the fruit of a tropical vine plant in the cucumber family. Each one has a drying rope for easy and complete drying between uses. And when theyre worn and no longer useable, my mom rinses the fibers out and adds them to the garden. The handles are often made from stainless steel or sustainable wood like bamboo or beechwood. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Ditch your current dish sponge for these eco friendly kitchen sponge alternatives.
Take it from microbiologist Markus Egert and his team of scientists at the University of Furtwangen in Germany. Ever heard of a tawashi? Like a cross between a kitchen rag and a sponge, this highly absorbent cloth is suitable for a wide-range of cleaning tasks, including washing dishes, cleaning countertops, and even scrubbing the bathroom. Hey, I'm Ros, and it is all about zen gardens, affirmations and a few recipes here. Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. And thats it! Microfiber is a reliable alternative thanks to its absorption power. Ones thatll help you sleep better at night. Paired with detergent, paper towels are just as effective at eliminating bacteria as cloths and sponges. Imagine having a dish sponge that is antimicrobial without the soap! We have you covered. These brushes will dry more easily than a conventional sponge, making them a naturally cleaner alternative. It's heat-resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can dip it in boiling water or toss it in your dishwasher to give it a thorough clean. 4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad. You certainly wont find those with the Vigar, which stays perfectly intact for months on end. Its a Japanese term used for scrubbing brushes. Clean them regularly by adding them to a hot dishwasher cycle. The damp and stained cloths just need a trip to the washing machine. The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022. The downside: theyre a one-and-done solution. When you think metal, you think tough, and these copper sponges are certainly thatthey're able to remove that won't-come-off grease and food residue from nearly any surface. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. And if you prefer to purchase from more eco-conscious companies, try these from wood based sponges from the Zero Waste Store and Zero Waste Outlet. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Amazon has lots of loofah options as does the Zero Waste Store and Zero Waste Outlet. Silicone scrubbers (like this one by Peachy Clean) are nonporous and do not harbor bacteria. You should worry when you contaminate your sponges with dangerous bacteria like E. coli and campylobacter, or when you fail to properly disinfect your cleaning tools after contact with raw meat. Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. For hard-to-clean items like reusable water bottles, baby bottles, and bud vases, try this silicone brush. Ignore the fear-mongering headlines for a second and get the facts: its unlikely that these bacteria will harm you. We hope you love the products we recommend! Others even come with a wooden handle attachment. As for the bristles, they are usually made from coconut, palm or union fibers. All of them were independently selected by our editors. So pop them into your compost bin or send them off to your local composting facility. It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot. Here's a flexible and durable food-grade silicone sponge with soft bristles to gently scrub dishes (even nonstick pots and pans!) Reporting on what you care about. These natural and biodegradable sponges are made from pure loofah plants are tough enough to tackle grease, but soft enough to use on gentle materials like nonstick pots and pans. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! And cleaning them isnt necessarily effective: An oft-cited 2017 study published in Scientific American reported that sanitation methods including microwaving sponges or washing them in the dishwasher could actually increase bacteria. Another benefit is how much money they save you with reduced cleaning product consumption. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Shop Now: Grove Collaborative Coconut Scouring Pad, $5 for 2, grove.co. Well, it is made of synthetic materials, usually polyester for the soft, squishy section and polyurethane for the more abrasive side. Also dont use a dishwashing towel for other cleaning purposes in your home or kitchen. All Rights Reserved. If youre a fan of a handled dish sponge (like these popular soap dispensing scrubbers), wooden dish brushes are effective, more eco friendly sponge alternatives. Other natural materials like jute can also be used. Not sure what to write in a thank you card? They will break down into natural products and wont be harmful to the environment. However, none of that changes the bottom line: The stuff you clean your dishes with gets very nasty, very quickly. Because these alternatives have fewer crevices and are made of quick-drying materials like silicon, bamboo, and bristles, they're less likely to facilitate bacteria growth. Shop Now: Full Circle Wool Sponges, $12, housework.store. To clean it, simply toss it in the washing machine on a hot cycle once a week. With all that in mind, weve rounded up three Journal-approved brushes to scrub away your former germ-y days in the kitchen. A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Just without the microplastics falling off and entering the water system. Hi. Ive searched far and wide for healthy and practically affordable alternatives and this article has given me another place to start looking. Many are sold after compressing and cutting into more of a traditional sponge shape. You have changed my perspective about sponges, really. You can use one of these dishcloths for up to 6 months. Many of the products we chose are made from environmentally friendly materials, which means they're better for the planet as much as they are for your home. Even if you sanitize your sponge regularly, you are still best off replacing your conventional kitchen sponge once a week. Its a well-known fact that sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. This tough-as-nails silicone sponge is antimicrobial and infused with peach fragrance to keep odors at bay and infuse your cleaning routine with a fresh scent, sans harmful chemical alternatives. How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles. This product does it all (and by that I mean two things): scrubs and dispenses. It has a long-reach handle and soft, flexible bristles to scrub narrow nooks and crannies. Many homeowners find the idea of using the same grubby sponge unappealing, and there's evidently a good reason why. and surfaces without scratching. Youll be surprised at how effective they can be. Doing so will cause the wood to warp and crack and render the brush useless! But they are still gentle enough to use on just about all of your kitchen wares (maybe with the exception of fragile items like crystal and China). (Not completely, anyway.) A double-sided sponge with a high-tech microfiber cloth on one side for a soft, lint-free clean; a scrubber to cut through grease and baked on messes on the other. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. And to clean the sponge thoroughly between uses with a mixture of water and bleach, then wring it out as much as possible so that it can dry. less likely to facilitate bacteria growth. When they absorb water, they become soft and squishy making them wonderful kitchen sponge alternatives. If youre going to be using the brush daily, soaking the bristles in distilled white vinegar for a couple of hours once a week is highly recommended. Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. Always, always use a separate cloth or paper towel for that. Its all here in the Full Circle. (Congrats!). Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! Studies have shown that sponges are the dirtiest object in your houseincluding the toilet. Many have adorable patterns too. Or, if the idea of cleaning your dishes with a grimy sponge is enough to make you want to switch to paper plates forever (dont do that), there are some alternatives. Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. While this quality makes them very hygienic, paper towels can be wasteful if you overuse them. Find great products and the best-money saving deals around, delivered right to your inbox. That means, I can earn a commission for qualifying purchases. At the end of their use, remove the wire and repurpose and compost the fibers. As it turns out, germ experts say the average kitchen sponge really is one of the dirtiest items in the home. You can also repurpose your old clothing like tshirts, dresses and more. It Might Be Time to Toss Your Kitchen Sponge for Good. });, A Clean Bee is reader-supported. We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept. Dont just take it from me. Beat it, soap bottles. They are really absorbent and act like all-natural, eco-friendly sponges but they also behave like microfiber cloths. That is far longer than the single week of use youll get out of a regular kitchen sponge! Dishcloths dry faster than sponges, making them less susceptible to bacteria. containerEl: '#fd-form-615b594fc71e8685f183ba4f'
Obsessed with travel? Here's another two-sided sponge, which delivers double the cleaning power and a proprietary technology that makes it possible to sanitize without harsh chemicals. Minimize your environmental impact and try these alternatives instead. Shop Now: Kuhn Rikon Silicone Scrubber, $6, williams-sonoma.com. The soap, stored in the body, gets released with a light push of a button on top. At the end of the day toss the (dry) used towels in a dirty laundry bin. But if youre washing dishes with a new sponge every week, you will be using (and throwing away) at least 52 sponges over the course of a year! The reason is simple: they never dry. Whats also great is that any food debris that gets stuck in the bristles washes away easily. The classy bamboo detailing makes it an item you wont feel sloppy leaving out on the counter, and the long handle provides a great deal of control while scrubbing off stubborn residue. This makes sponges (almost) impossible to clean. Instead, Im calling for an orderly switch to the kitchen brush. Nowadays though, the fibers are often compressed and shaped to resemble the scrubbers we use today. That means they are all-natural, plant-based, and compostable. Unlike most sponges which are made from plant cellulose, these are made with a fast-drying polyurethane foam and treated with an antimicrobial agent that discourages the growth of odor-causing bacteria. That means it is made of plastic. The options listed below are long lasting, made from sustainable materials, and are arguably cleaner than using a traditional kitchen sponge. Pair any of these options with low or zero waste dish soap to make your kitchen even more sustainable! So, what should you do? We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. Its never too late to try. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. formId: '615b594fc71e8685f183ba4f',
By the way, I'm part of the Shareasale and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program (affiliate program). I would use a second towel for wiping counters and surfaces and a third towel for wiping floor messes. They are disposable, after all. This is the safest option for wiping down surfaces that have had contact with raw meat. They also break down into microplastics which are quickly becoming an air, water, and soil pollutant. Another solution: Adopt the growing trend of using better-for-you sponges in your own kitchen. By dustqueen | August 26, 2019 | Blog, Home Cleaning. Ever had your house looked at by a professional? Actually, most of the recommended sponge cleaning methods arent terribly effective. So often the items in our home go to waste simply because we failed to care for them properly - my mission is to help you learn the simplest, healthiest ways to care for your home. It is made from durable palm fibers that are tougher than the scrubbing side of a conventional kitchen sponge. Their 2017 study published in Scientific Reports revealed 362 different species of bacteria lurking in the nooks and crannies of the household sponges theyd collected. Natural loofahs are a bit more coarse in texture. Shop Now: Barkly Basics Black & White Scourer Sponge, $6, anthropologie.com. These sponges are designed from sustainable fiberswood pulp, cotton, and hemp. Though technically a vegetable scrubber, this Japanese brush is much more versatileuse it to scour pots and pans, wash dinnerware, or even scrub your stovetop. A sturdy scrub brush that can be washed in the dishwasher is another alternativeover time, it too, will need to be replaced, but with proper care it can outlast a regular sponge. My parents have been using coconut fibers to wash their dishes for as long as I can remember. For tricky messes like burnt eggs on a stainless steel pan, or burnt anything on any type of pan for that matter, a scraper tool is extremely helpful! This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden. Barkly Basics Black & White Scourer Sponge. Read my privacy policy and disclosures , Copyright 2022 A Clean Bee | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, replacing your conventional kitchen sponge once a week. Cellulose based sponge (Zero Waste Outlet), Coconut kitchen scourers (Zero Waste Store).
We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage itemsfirst, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasonsto add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. While they work well to remove debris from your plates, cups, pots, and pans, they also quickly develop hundreds of species of bacteria. From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. Thats right: The quick-drying, eco-friendly, easy-to-use, and, ultimately, far more hygienic cleaning tool of choice for your dinnerware. Shop Now: Ekobo Claro Compostable Sponge Blocks, $10.40 for 2, finnishdesignshop.com. So when youre done with them, you can add them to the compost bin or send to an industrial composting facility. The downside is that some types can be are slippery when wet, which can makes dish washing tricky.
And thats not an opinion its a fact. Start with a fresh dishcloth every day and toss the dirty one in the washing machine and wash in hot water. Make gathering with loved ones a priority. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. Plus, the brush is made in a ring shape so you can hang it to dry completely between uses. Eco Friendly Coffee Maker The French Press, How to Clean a Stainless Steel Coffee Pot. Save them for wiping countertops after cooking and use them sparingly when you do. Shop Now: Skura Style Antimicrobial Sponge, $15 for 4, store.177milkstreet.com. Some even come with metal hooks so you can hang them over the sink to dry. This makes the tawashi a much more sanitary alternative to a regular sponge! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. While there are plenty of sanitary measures we can all take to see that our household sponge does not become a horror show, the reality is there is just too much unnecessary upkeep required.