The 7 Finest Dishwashing Sponges of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

“Critical Eats’ dishwashing fanatic” is probably not the best accolade, but it surely’s one I personal. After practically 4 many years of cooking and consuming with out a dishwasher, I’ve grow to be fairly passionate (and opinionated) about cleansing gear. I’ve reviewed dishwashing gloves and the best kitchen towels for drying dishes: The lacking piece of the puzzle was dishwashing sponges.

Dishwashing instruments may be polarizing: You in all probability have a robust choice for both sponges or wands, and I’m keen to wager that you detest utilizing the “unsuitable” one. However we will all agree {that a} sponge or wand ought to simply clear soiled dishes with out disintegrating, tearing, or trapping mysterious meals bits (gross). With that standards in thoughts, I examined 16 dish sponges and wands. I discovered seven winners that received the job completed—and one even appeared good doing it.

The Winners, at a Look

If I may solely use one dishwashing sponge for the remainder of my life, it’d be this. The Scrunge has a wavy, textured scrubber facet that tackled a Bolognese pan with aplomb. The cellulose facet is thick and plush and the sponge is reasonable and simple to search out. Better of all, “Scrunge” is enjoyable to say.

This bristled brush had the sturdiest head of all of the wands I examined. Meting out cleaning soap was simple, and I by no means unintentionally squirted out an excessive amount of. I particularly favored that it got here with a stand, so it may drip-dry on the counter with out taking on an excessive amount of area.

Scrub Daddy makes an entire line of standout sponges, however you in all probability already knew that—they’re extremely standard. The unique Scrub Daddy is thick with deep, beneficiant grooves. It’s a bit a lot to your favourite stemware, but it surely does a knockout job with crudded-up pots and pans.

I did a double-take the primary time I noticed these sponges: They appear extra like sandpaper pads than dishwashing sponges. However the scouring facet gave a efficiency second solely to the Scrub Daddy, and it rinsed clear each time.

One may argue that disposable sponges are by definition not very eco-friendly. However these undyed sponges did their greatest. They’re made with vegetable cellulose and walnuts, and held up a lot better than another eco possibility I examined.

These dishwashing sponges are fancy. They arrive in a three-pack of complementary colours (I examined the brassy metallics) and sparkle and shine within the gentle. They’re not the sturdiest sponges I examined, however they had been greater than able to tackling robust jobs, and their value is comparable with my general winner.

Swedish dishcloths are in a class all their very own—in reality, we reviewed them here—however they’re nice instruments to have in your dishwashing provides caddy. Our favourite Swedish dishcloth can be utilized for laundry dishes and drying them, and you may toss it within the washer when it will get grungy.

The Checks

• Dinner Dishes Take a look at: To judge the sponges’ means to deal with on a regular basis dishes, I used every one to wash dishes after a meal. I crammed a plastic tub with heat, soapy water, and used the sponge to scrub all the dinnerware, flatware, and pots and pans, noting areas of energy and weak spot. 
• Scrambled Eggs Take a look at: To check the sponges’ means to wash up soiled pots and pans, I cooked two scrambled eggs in a stainless steel skillet. After eradicating the eggs, I let the pan sit at room temperature for one hour, then washed it utilizing the sponge or wand, being attentive to how simple it was to wash off the stuck-on egg.
• Normal Use Take a look at: As soon as I had chosen my finalists, I used every sponge and wand for 3 days. I scored them on efficiency, design, and ease of cleansing.

What We Realized

Extremely Textured Sponges Had been Finest

One of the best-performing sponges had tons of texture. My favourite sponge, the O-Cedar Scrunge, was the perfect instance of this. Its scrubber facet had deep valleys and dimples in a wave-like sample and was coated in a tough (however non-abrasive!) floor. The Scrub Daddy Original Sponge can be tremendous textured, with a unfastened, coarse foam make-up. On the different finish of the spectrum, the Scotch Brite Dobie Pad was minimally textured. It consisted of a primary cellulose sponge encased in a mesh pouch—a stable design, however the pouch was too skinny to be helpful.

Looped Fibers Had been a Nightmare

I rapidly realized to detest dishwashing sponges with looped fibers, just like the Kitchen Dynamo Microfiber Sponge. After making an attempt to apply it to the eggy pan, I instantly disqualified it: The additional lengthy microfiber strands trapped and clung to each final buttery, eggy bit. The Kitchen Dynamo had a “one yr or 100 washes” assure, however different sponges carried out equally with out all of the fanfare. The Casabella Sparkle Scrub Sponge was manufactured with loosely looped plastic strands that had begun to unravel even earlier than I picked it up. Looped fibers may be helpful for dusting and different cleansing jobs, however they accumulate gunk and collapse when used for dishwashing.

Most Dishwashing Wands Weren’t Nice

There have been two key areas the place most dishwashing wands fell quick: the top attachment and the cleaning soap allotting mechanism. A dish wand’s sponge portion needs to be firmly located on the wand, however alas, that was too tall of an order for a lot of. The NileHome Dish Brush got here with velcro-attachable interchangeable heads that refused to stay on the wand. The Compac Home Dish Wand didn’t actually have a cleaning soap dispenser, and the wand was so quick and skinny that it wasn’t helpful in any respect. On the opposite (refreshingly nice) hand, the OXO Good Grips Dish Wand’s head clicked firmly into place and didn’t budge till it was time to swap it out. 

Thicker Was Higher—To a Level

I overwhelmingly most well-liked sponges with a bit of oomph to them: Thicker sponges gave me higher management whereas washing, and so they lasted longer, too. The O-Cedar Scrunge was a beneficiant 1.2 inches broad in comparison with the Dobie Pad, which was simply half an inch. However there was such a factor as too thick: The Casabella Sparkle Sponge was 1.75 inches broad. Add that to its too-firm texture, and it was tough to squeeze inside a drinking glass.

If You Want Dishcloths, Swedish Is Finest

I grew up in a home the place reusable dishcloths reigned. Now, in my very own family, I go for disposable sponges as a result of I feel they’re higher at cleansing pots and pans, and I discover them simpler to carry and maneuver round a plate. However should you’re a member of Crew Dishcloths, I encourage you to take a look at Swedish dishcloths. They’re gently textured, tremendous sturdy, and may be tossed in a washer loads of occasions earlier than they start to degrade. The winners of our Swedish dishcloths evaluate, the Swedish Wholesale Swedish Dish Cloths, are unbelievable and so they final for ages. (I preserve a stash underneath my lavatory sink for cleansing in between the sink and handles.)

The Standards: What to Search for in a Dishwashing Sponge

One of the best dishwashing sponges have a medium thickness and are extremely textured for optimum scrubbing functionality. They’re two-sided, with a mild facet for on a regular basis dishes, and a rougher, non-abrasive facet for pots and pans. Search for dish sponges with out lengthy or looped fibers—these can lure meals bits, and can rapidly unravel. One of the best dishwashing wands are simple to refill, and dispense cleaning soap with none drama.

Our Favourite Dishwashing Sponges

What we favored: This was one hard-working sponge! It’s fabricated from three layers: a thick, plush facet for light washing and a center foam pad topped with a rippled, textured scrubber. The scrubber did a unbelievable job on the eggy pans, and required little or no elbow grease after a Sunday red sauce dinner. It’s comfortable and versatile, so I may maneuver it inside delicate glassware. It rinsed clear after each use—no icky bits clinging to its nooks and crannies. Lastly, it lasted for ages. Even once I retired it from dish obligation, it was in ok situation to grow to be a rest room sink-and-tub sponge.

What we didn’t like: It could be cool if this sponge got here in some extra “pure” colours, however I’m splitting hairs. I really like this factor.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Cellulose and artificial fiber 
• Weight: 19 grams
• Dimensions: 4.25 x 2.7 x 1.2 inches
• Sort: Sponge
• Variety of sponges in package deal: 6

What we favored: This was with out a query the highest-quality dishwashing wand I examined. It’s simple to fill the deal with with cleaning soap and screw the cap again on—even one-handed. The soap-on-demand button is comfortable and dispenses simply the correct quantity of cleaning soap. The nylon bristles are extremely sturdy and by no means as soon as bent misplaced throughout testing. The wand stand is nice. It saved the comb from cluttering my counter, and a pour spout allowed me to rapidly dump out collected water. You probably have an outdated OXO dish wand, the stand might look completely different: It is a new, higher design than its unique.

What we didn’t like: This dishwashing wand doesn’t include completely different model heads (though you should purchase substitute bristle brushes). Regardless of the pour spout, the holder can accumulate cleaning soap scum with out common cleansing.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Plastic, nylon
• Weight: 125 grams (with out cleaning soap)
• Dimensions: 10.3 x 2 x 1 inches (wand solely)
• Sort: Wand
• Variety of wands in package deal: 1, with a holder

What we favored: It’s laborious to overstate simply how environment friendly the Scrub Daddy is at, nicely, scrubbing. These smiley face-shaped sponges had been the very best at swiping away all method of meals, regardless of how lengthy it was sitting. They by no means as soon as scratched my cookware. The eyes helped me grip the sponge, though I didn’t discover the mouth form as useful for cleansing spoons because the model claims. They’re very long-lasting, and maintain up nicely to a sanitizing spin within the dishwasher.

What we didn’t like: These sponges are too coarse and massive for delicate dishes and most glassware. Though the package deal says they’re comfortable in heat water, it takes a few minutes to saturate the sponge to that time.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Polymer foam
• Weight: 11.3 grams
• Dimensions: 4-inch diameter
• Sort: Sponge
• Variety of sponges in package deal: 3

What we favored: These sponges didn’t appear like any I’d used earlier than, and albeit I wasn’t certain what to make of them. But it surely was love at first scrub as soon as I put them to the check with my eggy skillet. The scouring facet is impressively sturdy. It had an identical texture to the O-Cedar Scrunge, however was even firmer, so it actually excelled with sticky, robust cleanup jobs. The graceful sponge facet may have been grippier, however I had no complaints about how clear the sponge was after every wash.

What we didn’t like: The “fade to alter” function is an fascinating thought, however maybe superfluous for a dish sponge: The Skura’s advertising supplies declare that the design printed on the scrubby facet slowly fades, letting you recognize when it’s time to swap it for a brand new one. (In all honesty, it jogged my memory of the “chilly activated” blue mountain design on Coors cans.)

Key Specs

• Supplies: Polyurethane
• Weight: 11 grams
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.75 x 1 inches
• Sort: Sponge
• Variety of sponges in package deal: 4 or 8

What we favored: I’ll admit it: I proudly displayed this natural-looking, undyed sponge on my counter in a show of literal greenwashing. These sponges have a relaxing, impartial aesthetic that may match nicely into many fashionable houses. It’s versatile and squishy—a pleasure to swipe round a sinkful of dishes. It had essentially the most impartial, inoffensive odor of all of the sponges earlier than use. The maker claims it’s sustainably sourced.

What we didn’t like: The scouring facet wasn’t very efficient at getting an eggy pan clear, and it held onto meals particles.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Walnut, vegetable-based cellulose
• Weight: 18 grams
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.75 x 0.75 inches
• Sort: Sponge
• Variety of sponges in package deal: 4

What we favored: This sponge appears to be like able to disco. It’s made with alternating stripes of metallic lurex and polyurethane that genuinely sparkle within the daylight. I used to be pleasantly stunned by how nicely the sponge held up over my three-day check: It appeared practically new. The tinsel-ish bits had been nice at lifting away sauces and crumbs, though they did battle with greasier dishes.

What we didn’t like: The Lurex sponges are on the skinny facet, and regardless of the producer’s claims that they’re dishwasher-safe, mine unraveled on the highest rack.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Lurex, polyurethane 
• Weight: 10 grams
• Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 0.5 inches
• Sort: Sponge
• Variety of sponges in package deal: 3

What we favored: This material dried dishes quick and totally. It additionally air-dried rapidly after use, so that you don’t have to fret about mildew-scented dishcloths. It’s nimble and versatile, making it very best for laundry glassware and drying dishes. It could possibly additionally deal with being cleaned in a washer.

What we didn’t like: Nothing price mentioning right here, truthfully.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Cotton and cellulose (wooden pulp)
• Dimensions: 8 x 7 inches
• Sort: Dishcloths
• Variety of cloths in package deal: 10

The Competitors

• Scotch Brite Zero Scratch Scrub Sponges: This ubiquitous grocery retailer model did a good job, but it surely was thinner than the O-Cedar Scrunge, and the scrubber facet was a gunk-magnet.
• Blueland Scrub Sponge: The Blueland sponges talked an enormous recreation about sustainability, however they weren’t the highest performers. They’re plant-based and plastic-free, however the cellulose sponge facet was skinny and rapidly wore out. The loofah-like scrubber facet can be higher fitted to a pedicure.
• Casabella Sparkle Scrub Sponge: This sparkly sponge was quite a lot of enjoyable to take a look at, however the looped fibers rapidly unraveled, and it was too thick to comfortably maintain in my palm. It confirmed put on rather a lot faster than my successful “enjoyable” sponge from Hawkins New York. 
• Scotch Brite Dobie Pads: The second grease touched these sponges, they turned unusable: They trapped oil and transferred it to dinnerware—the alternative of a job nicely completed.
• Kitchen Dynamo Microfiber Sponge: Germophobes and folk who concern soggy bits of meals ought to keep far-off from this microfiber sponge. Its lengthy fibers locked onto bits of rooster pores and skin and pizza dough. A (clear) one was fairly good at dusting window sills and bookshelves, although. 
• Scotch Brite Non-Scratch Dish Wand: This wand was the runner-up to the OXO Good Grips Dish Wand Set. It was sturdy and simple to refill and swap out heads for recent ones. Finally, the OXO received as a result of it got here with a storage caddy, and was higher at scrubbing pots and pans. 
• Compac Home Dish Wand: This dishwashing wand had a brief, flimsy deal with, and it was tough to get good leverage on it. It’s marketed as being good for crystal, so should you wash quite a lot of wine glasses, it could be price selecting up just a few of those extra delicate wands.
• NileHome Dish Brush: The NileHome dishwashing wands was a good suggestion in idea: It comes with interchangeable heads for scrubbing and gentler washing. However the attachment adhesive wasn’t sturdy sufficient, and the heads fell off into the sink each time I used it. 
• Libman Dish Wand Kit: The Libman was on the backside of the pack of the wands. It was tough to refill, and allotting a reasonable quantity of cleaning soap was tough to do, too.

FAQs

What’s the greatest sponge for cleansing dishes?

For on a regular basis dishes, like dinner plates and cereal bowls, you don’t want a elaborate sponge. Our favourite dishwashing sponge, the O-Cedar Scrunge, prices lower than $2 a sponge. It has a thick cellulose facet for light washing, and a thick, rippled facet for more durable scrubbing jobs.

How lengthy do dishwashing sponges final? 

Disposable dishwashing sponges needs to be changed each few weeks, though that is dependent upon how usually you utilize them, in fact. Don’t suppose too laborious about it, although: If it has misplaced its scrubbing capabilities, smells bizarre, or grosses you out, it’s time to offer it the heave-ho.

How do you sanitize dishwashing sponges?

You’ll be able to sanitize dishwashing sponges by placing them within the prime rack of the dishwasher. The enemy of all sponges is moisture, so to lengthen the lifetime of your sponge (and preserve it cleaner), rinse it totally and wring out as a lot moisture as doable from it after every use. Retailer the sponge someplace the place air can flow into round it, like in a wire sponge holder.

Why We’re the Consultants

• Rochelle Bilow is a commerce editor at Critical Eats.
• Beforehand, she labored as an editor and the social media supervisor at Bon Appétit and Cooking Gentle.
• Till this yr, Rochelle didn’t personal a dishwasher: She is aware of the ins and outs of dishwashing sponges. For this evaluate, she examined 15 sponges and dishwashing wands for on a regular basis dinnerware, in addition to pots and pans. We additionally included our favourite Swedish dishcloth on this evaluate.