A new brand of scrub sponges or an alternative recommendation

January 16, 2023 11:35 AM

Sometime during the pandemic, the quality of scrub sponges like these has gone down and keeps getting worse, so they fall apart in a short amount of time.

I hand wash my dishes, and these stupid scrub sponges, which I've basically been using since some point in childhood some 30 odd years ago, got super sucky and fall apart pretty quickly. I've tried generic and brand name Scotch Brite. I've gotten generics from the dollar tree, cvs, kroger, walmart and so far have noticed it in them all.

For a while, the brand name scrub sponges held up better than the generics even though they weren't the quality I remember from just a few short years ago. But I just got a new pack of scotch brite scrubbies and the materials are way worse than the pack I got in October.

The most noticeable difference is the sponge density is way less. It felt all wrong, so I fished the old one I had tossed out of the garbage. Comparing the two side by side, the new one had way more holes. Lower density/more porosity. Seriously, the old one I tossed seemed to be in better shape than the new one.

The green scrubbing part gets worn out super quick, and the adhesion to the sponge seems weaker as they separate quickly. This was before the new pack/changes, so I'm doubtful these will last.

Has anyone found a brand that hasn't substituted lower quality materials? Do they make better quality ones even if they come at a higher price? I am so frustrated by this change, I used to be able to make one last for a few months with daily use as long as I took care of it. Heck, I used to toss them because they smelled, not because they physically fell apart. Now a week or two and they're deteriorating.

If not, what are you using for hand washing dishes cuz I need suggestions.

posted by [insert clever name here] to Home & Garden (23 answers total)

We've been using a Euroscrubby ever since I bought one on a lark from a gift shop somewhere. Now I see them everywhere. They do the same job as the scrub sponges you like, rinse clean, and can go through the dishwasher. Much to my relief, they never get stinky like other sponges (I'm looking at you, Swedish dishcloths).
posted by DrGail at 11:50 AM on January 16, 2023 [5 favorites]

Personally, I prefer to use the Stay Clean sponge from Scotch Brite. I have noticed that sometimes they last much longer than other times. It hasn't been a gradual decrease though. I use this for 90% of my dishes and for the 10% that need scrubbing, I use steel wool, chain mail, or crocheted scrubbies for items that might scratch.

You might also look at the Scrub Daddy family of scrubbers. Many people love them.
posted by hydra77 at 12:10 PM on January 16, 2023 [4 favorites]

Seconding Euroscrubbies. Also Dobie pads (which I prefer).
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 12:10 PM on January 16, 2023 [3 favorites]

I use sponges, got a pack from amzn, they last well. I use a separate scrubby to cut down on plastic waste. Mostly, I use a metal scrubby and they last a long time.

I'd consider writing to the company; you'll almost certainly get a response and likely some free product.
posted by theora55 at 12:13 PM on January 16, 2023

Came in to recommend Euroscrubby as well. At this point I’m just adding my voice to the chorus!
posted by Juniper Toast at 12:15 PM on January 16, 2023

I'm a fan of this type of sponge (no experience with that brand specifically, just this type). It seems kind of like the Dobie, though possibly scrubbier.
posted by trig at 12:21 PM on January 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

I find that these funny hexagonal sponges last substantially longer than the regular ones (they are also slightly more expensive, naturally). I don't actually use the antibacterial ones; I just linked to the first one I found. I buy them at the grocery store, next to the ones you've been buying.
posted by dizziest at 12:21 PM on January 16, 2023

I haven't bought them in a while because I bought a huge multipack of them and they last a long time but I've liked O-Cedar's Scrunge Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges quite a bit. They hold up, clean well and tend to not get as mildewy and gross as quickly as a lot of other sponges.
posted by edencosmic at 12:31 PM on January 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

My dad swore by Dobies because his parents did. I use them now.
posted by bendy at 12:51 PM on January 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

I've been meaning to try Jetz-Scrubz (made in USA) based on a friend's recommendation. Check out the intense graphic design -- might be your vibe!
posted by birds at 1:10 PM on January 16, 2023

We switched to loofah dishwashing sponges a while ago (not this exact brand, but ours are very similar). It takes a little getting used to since the sponges can feel a bit stiff intially, but they soften over time. They easily last for several months if you dry them out between use and can be boiled in hot water for disinfection.
posted by wavelette at 1:25 PM on January 16, 2023

Washrags actually work really well, and are reusable a long time, and can be purchased or made from old towels. The ones with a more terrycloth-type texture are especially inspiring.

For crevices, a scrubbing brush will work better than a sponge anyway, but you can wrap a rag around the end of, say, a butter knife to clean out grooves.

I've also started paying more attention to what materials soften residue before scrubbing. Vinegar works a lot, drying out works sometimes, baking soda or salt are good if you're OK with abrasion, and, to my surprise, the combination of baking soda and vinegar is actually awesome for some things.
posted by amtho at 1:52 PM on January 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

I like the scotch brite little scrubber brush ahead of any sponge. It can also go in the dishwasher. I use the blue version of the scotch brite sponges.
posted by vunder at 2:23 PM on January 16, 2023

I live and die (okay, maybe not really) by the Dobie scrubbers. They never get smelly because they dry very quickly and they're very good at scrubbing without scratching. They don't have a "soft" side if you're used to one scrubby side and one spongy side, but I'll never go back to squishy sponges again.
posted by rachaelfaith at 2:34 PM on January 16, 2023

I don't remember where I heard about these, but I've been using Crown Choice cleaning scrubbers on my dishes for the past few years, and I will never go back to sponges! It's like a mash-up between a washcloth and a scrubber, but it's woven with large holes so it air dries nicely and there are no smells. These are available on Amazon as well.
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 3:58 PM on January 16, 2023

Nthing the Dobie scrubbers. They are the middle abrasion level, with the soft being a regular sponge and a Brillo for the heavy-duty jobs.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 4:26 PM on January 16, 2023

I typically use the blue Scotch Brite scrubber sponges, bought in packages of 20 or so from Costco or Amazon. During the pandemic, I got at least three batches that were of very low quality, like what you describe. I don't know if the factory was having issues or maybe I got some fakes. However, now they seem to be back to normal.

You might have done this already, but I think it is worth trying to get one of your preferred sponges from a different source, just in case it is a bad batch/fake issue.
posted by Dip Flash at 4:54 PM on January 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

I’ve noticed the same and switched to getting the scrubbies and the cellulose sponges separately, or using dishrags instead of sponges. And I can wrap one around the other when that’s what I miss.
posted by clew at 6:06 PM on January 16, 2023

We use Jetz Scrubs. For us they last a long time without falling to bits and are very effective at scrubbing without scratching.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:26 PM on January 16, 2023

It's a different type of thing than what you're used to, but we used to be a sponge family and noticed exactly what you're noticing, not to mention all the waste that problem creates. I switched us over to dish clothes, and when scrubbing is necessary, I use either a tawashi like these or a simple square plastic scraper I got for a couple bucks somewhere.

I have been using the same tawashi for over year, and when it's through, it'll go into the compost bucket (and the metal bit into the recycling bin). I'm a complete convert -- even spent a lovely afternoon watching videos of how they're made, and have bought 4 sets of 3 for various friends. I regret every stupid plastic scrub brush I ever bought and will never buy another, and if I convince anyone of you to change too, well, I'll whistle a little jauntier on my next stroll.

(I should note they're great for vegetables, too, especially potatoes, or really any general scrubbing task. They can be a little rough when you first put your hands on them, but they soften up very nicely. For the curious, they are made from either windmill palm or coconut coir with a twisted metal band holding it together. Black Lion is a common Japanese brand, but there's a million out there, including fancy expensive versions, and versions in other shapes. I believe tawashi is just Japanese for "brush")
posted by AbelMelveny at 6:58 PM on January 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

Angus brand cotton dishrag, cut into quarters so it’s easy to hold and it dries fast. Plain green scrubber (no sponge, no soap) for seasoned pans, along with a plastic pot scraper.

Angus Waffle Weave 2pk Dish Cloths assorted 12in x 13in
posted by toodleydoodley at 7:23 PM on January 16, 2023

I've swapped between ScotchBrite to O'Cedar and back and forth.
posted by kschang at 10:18 PM on January 16, 2023

And seconding amtho, I've started using a scrub brush for the bulk of dish cleaning, then just using a brown "natural" scrub sponge to work off any remaining greasy deposits. The brush doesn't get worn down as quickly as the sponge when I start scrubbing, and then the sponge mostly gets replaced due to eventual built up stinkiness after a month or two.

That said, I mostly only wash pots and pans by hand.
posted by Kyol at 9:58 AM on January 17, 2023