We were discussing kitchen sponges with some friends recently (riveting party topic!) and were surprised to hear that one of them discards and replaces her sponge every week. Certainly this isn't such a green practice, but it's true that sponges can get pretty icky. What's an eco-conscious dish washer to do? Here are five suggestions...
Kitchen Sponges: 5 Tips for Greener Cleaning
1. Use an eco-friendly sponge. Sponges may contain plastics, dyes, and synthetic disinfectants. Whether you're tossing it weekly or annually, use a sponge made from natural and sustainable materials. Twist's biodegradable Loofah and Naked sponges are two options.
2. Choose a long-lasting, durable product. Cheap sponges can wear out quickly, especially if you do a lot of cooking and dish washing. We've had good experiences with vegetable cellulose pop-up sponges; read our reviews of the Trader Joe's and Williams-Sonoma versions. (We're also curious about the EcoSponge – anyone tried it?)
3. Disinfect. Sponges may harbor nasty pathogens, but you can keep yourself healthy and prevent the need for frequent replacement if you sanitize them. Microwaving is a popular trick, and you can also disinfect sponges by boiling them in water or soaking them in vinegar. Keeping sponges dry also hinders bacteria growth – we place them in a sunny window after dish washing.
4. Recycle. Just because a sponge isn't suitable for dish washing anymore doesn't mean it can't be used elsewhere in the home. Re-Nest reader SunnyBlue shared a great tip: cut one corner off the sponge to designate it for non-kitchen use. And if you use biodegradable sponges, throw them in the compost once they've reached the end!
5. Skip the sponge altogether. We're among those who prefer the shape and scrubbing power of a sponge, but we know many people are perfectly satisfied using dishcloths. These may be laundered as necessary and are probably the longest-lasting choice. Go the extra step and use rags made from sustainable fibers like hemp and bamboo, or cut up old towels to make your own.
Do you have any other sponge tips to share?
Related: How To: Hand Wash Dishes To Conserve Water
(Image: Flickr member zappowbang licensed under Creative Commons)
Comments (6)
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The best tip I have is to rinse thoroghly, squeeze the sponge dry and stand it up on the long edge vs. laying it flat so that more surface area is exposed. We haven't had a stinky sponge since both of us starting doing this.
And periodic microwaving the sponge after soaking it in water.
view asinner's profile
I am definitely going to try this! There’s a great giveaway going on for green stuff… Green Your Cupboards where you can win eco-friendly baby & pet bundles of products--pretty sweet. http://bit.ly/tAf1L
view swollnick's profile
You can always make a tawashi! They suds up like a sponge, but you can throw them in the washing machine like a dish towel. Plus, you can use scrap yarn to make it! Here is a pattern for the one I use: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/43848/how-to-crochet-a-tawashi
view safarikate's profile
When a sponge has gone past its dish-washing stage, I dry it and keep it for heavy duty jobs that are done less often, like cleaning the oven or whatever, or a roasting tin (just to clarify-I do clean my roasting tin every time I use it, I just don't make roasts that often!). This means I can get it completely filthy and then throw it away without feeling guilty. I also save old toothbrushes for heavy-duty cleaning jobs, use them once for that and then throw them.
view Sian's profile
we are satisfied using our hand held scrubber. it's a little hand-held thing that you can fill with dish soap and dispense as needed with bristles for scrubbing. i can rinse off the bristles to keep it clean. plus, it's shown to be a lot more durable than regular sponges. it seriously lasts like forever. if i feel like i need to wash a dish/pot/whatever less abrasively, i switch to the dishcloth. but, i use this for just about everything!
view JaclynS's profile
I use dishcloths, but for certain items I need a scrubby sponge or steel wool. I'd use steel wool for more things if I didn't have a non stick pan.
view Melissa A.'s profile