Eco Friendly Alternatives to Sponges
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Hey, when’s the last time you threw out your sponge?
**SPOILER ALERT: probably not recent enough**
A recent study published on Scientific reports proved that your kitchen sponge contains more bacteria than your toilet. And what do you do with that bacteria-infested sponge? You wipe it all over your kitchen counter and inside of your fridge, and you bathe your dishes in its dowries. With that said, scientists recommend that you throw out your sponge weekly, and you are supposed to sanitize it EVERYDAY. I ain’t got time for that shit . . . and you don’t either! Which is why you need to find some eco friendly alternatives to sponges.
Most kitchen sponges are made of cellulose (natural fibres). However, the scrubby part is typically made of polyester or nylon. These materials are neither recyclable nor biodegradable and are made from nonrenewables such as oil and gas. Nuff said. Those sponges have a huge carbon footprint, and will sit in your landfill for centuries. Instead of contributing 52 sponges to your landfill every year, or bathing your sponge in intoxicating amounts bleach, how can you keep your kitchen clean without adding to landfills or using toxic chemicals?
Here are some eco friendly alternatives to sponges:
see all my kitchen recommendations
Swedish Dishcloth
A Swedish Dishcloth is made out of natural and renewable fibers • Biodegradable/compostable • Lasts 9-12 months
Does the work of 17 paper towels • Air dries quicker than a sponge (reducing bacteria)
A Swedish dishcloth can be washed in the dishwasher or washing machine up to 200 times!
Copper Scour
Gets rids of any baked on food residue • Packaged in a paper box
Can be recycled once its lived a life full of pot-scrubbin
Linen Dish Rags
(or make your own from old clothes)
Machine washable • Replaces paper towels & sponges • Long Lasting
MYTH BUSTERS (sponge edition): I heard that microwaving your sponge gets rid of the bacteria. Couldn’t I do that instead?
BUSTED: Microwaving your sponge only eliminates the weak bacteria, leaving lots of real estate for the silverback gorilla of bacteria to spread its legs and procreate. **good luck trying to get rid of that visual**
Cleaning Brushes
Great for cleaning water bottles with a narrow neck • Ethically made
Made of sustainably harvested beechwood, metal and natural fibres • Plastic Free
Cleaning Brushes
Great for cleaning fruits and veggies • Ethically made
Made of sustainably harvested beechwood and natural fibres • Plastic Free
Now you may be one of those people who’s always used a sponge and has no interest in ever switching to anything other than a sponge. Don’t worry, I’ve got somethin’ for you too. If you’re a diehard sponge lover, then the least you can do is switch to an eco friendly sponge that’s made of all natural fibers with none of that synthetic crap. Here are a few eco friendly sponge options that are well made and completely compostable:
Reusable Cotton Sponge
Mildew resistant, washable, hypoallergenic, made from recycled materials
machine washable • handmade in the USA
Plant-Based Loofah Sponge
Unbleached and undyed sponge made of loofah and cellulose
100% plant based
Plant-Based Sponge
Made from Plant-Based Renewable Resources • Scrubber Made from Walnut Shells
attached without glues, adhesives, toxins • quick drying to avoid bacteria
Conclusion
Most kitchen sponges are partially made out of plastic, which means they don’t biodegrade in the landfill. Yes is the even the “best kitchen sponges” you see online are not biodegradable. This is why switching to a cellulose sponge that can break down over time is a much more eco friendly and sustainable alternative to your current kitchen sponge. A plant based dish brush is the best option for washing your dishes. And it pairs great with a copper scour for getting hard to remove grime off. Likewise, a Swedish dishcloth is a must-have in your kitchen as it’s great for wiping down counters and cleaning up spills. And it replaces over seventeen rolls of paper towels, which is not only a great money saver, but also a big time tree saver!
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