I came across a blog discussion a few months ago on what you use to wash your dishes. It turned out to be a very lively discussion as many people found the use of washrags to wash your dishes quite foul. Or to say it a little nicer, a bit unsanitary with bacteria taking a liking to it.
From this discussion, I found a few brands of sponges that are all-natural and fend off the bacteria infestation a little bit better. The problem with these sponges is that they can be expensive. For something that I use to get the grime and grit off pots and pans, I don’t want to pour out tons of money. On the flip side, I want something that works well (and is sanitary).
Finally, I broke down and paid the higher price for better sponges, but I wasn’t going to let the product make a sucker of me 
First, the sponges I buy…
- Trader Joe’s Pop-Up Sponges (made from natural vegetable cellulose), contains 12 sponges for approximately $7.
- Scotch Brite Greener Clean, contains 3 sponges for approximately $3.50.
I wasn’t crazy about the price of the better sponges. But I was tired of using stinky washrags or junky sponges that had to be thrown out after one week. I bought the TJ sponges back in the Spring and I have only used 1 sponge out of the pack (I call that longevity). I bought the Scotch Brite sponges around the same time and have only used 2 sponges.
There are several ways that I lengthen the longevity (and the money savings) of my sponges:
- Cut the sponge in half. I find the smaller size plenty big for doing even the toughest jobs.
- Wash the sponge in the dishwasher with every wash.
- Use coupons: I found a package of Scotch Brite sponges on manager special for $1 because the package was open. I had a coupon for $1 off 2, plus they were running a sale. So, I bought 2 packages (total of 6 sponges) for $2.50 total.
To show you how much I love these new dishwashing sponges, I am doing a giveaway! Yeah! I am very excited about this. The giveaway package includes:
- Trader Joe’s Pop-Up Sponges, package of 12 sponges
- Scotch Brite Greener Clean Non-Scratch Sponges, package of 3 sponges
- Mrs. Meyers Liquid Dish Soap, Lemon Verbena scent
- Homemade Dish Towels from a dear friend at Wishing for Pine Needles. The towels are very soft and in fall-like colors. Check out her wonderful frugal homemaking blog for inspiration on simplifying your life.
(This may all seem very unrelated to food allergies, but really it is not. You have to be certain that you’re cleaning your dishes well if there is any chance of cross-contamination. Research shows that kitchen products and surfaces can be rid of allergens with a good washing using soap and water So, see, it’s a win-win situation because who doesn’t love new cleaning supplies and safety
To enter the giveaway, simply answer the question below in the comment section…
What is your preferred method for washing dishes? Do you use the old washrag method or some new fangled product?
For additional entries to the giveaway (1 additional entry per item below, giving a total of 5 possible entries):
- Share the giveaway on Facebook. Come back here and tell me that you did.
- Become a fan of The Willing Cook on Facebook. Come back here and tell me that you did.
- Share the giveaway on your blog. Come back here and leave a link to the post.
- Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Come back here and tell me that you did.
Giveaway ends at midnight EST on Friday, September 2. Winner will be randomly selected. Come back next Tuesday, Sept.6, to see if you’re the winner. Good Luck!
Giveaway linked up at Fat Tuesday and Works-for-Me Wednesday.
I tweeted about your giveaway – http://twitter.com/#!/mehblerg/status/109713355169738752
I won these Skoy cloths and I truly love them. They are my dish cloths. I can wash them in the dishwasher or washing machine. I aslo use them as a paper towel.
I don’t know that brand. I’ll have to check it out.
fb fan -mary jaco.
I use the cheapest sponges I can find and put them in the dishwasher every other day until they fall apart. Then I open a new one
, but the dishwasher honestly does wonders.
I increased my dishwasher usage about a year ago to see if it was more cost effective. I really think that it is. I still do some handwashing with a few items, but I stick just about everything I can in the dishwasher and run it about every other day now. I used to only run it 1-2 times/week. I think our utility bill may have gone down slightly, but more than that, is the time that I know have free to spend on something besides washing dishes.
Hi Michelle!
. I have issues, I can admit it! Love Mrs. Meyers!! I’m a scent junkie too! 
I completely scour my dishes with a scotch brite scrubber that you put dishsoap in, then I put them in the dishwasher almost sparkly clean.
Yes, I was thinking of you when I was selecting a soap to include. I pre-wash my dishes too before the dishwasher
You know me…I’m an old soul. Old fashioned method for me. (But I’m never opposed to trying something new
I’m definitely a fan of the washrag! I have a huge pile, and I throw them in the wash after each time I do dishes. My husband prefers sponges, but I think they smell awful (especially because we never remember to run them through the dishwasher) so they mysteriously “disappear” when he’s not home
It’s funny how things like that happen when they’re gone
I use a dishrag, but I only use it once before I wash it. By the way, I love Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products. They smell wonderful!
They do smell wonderful! Thanks for entering.
I like to use a sponge, not a wash rag, and then to disinfect it periodically by nuking it in the microwave while it is damp (and letting it cool off before I touch it!)
I liked your site on Facebook! Thanks so much!
I shared the giveaway on my blog (plus featured your tips and review) in my weekly link round up. Here is the link: Cleaning, Laundry & Stain Removal Links For The Week
I see I’m too late for the giveaway! Sorry, didn’t read that part right the first time. Oh well, I still loved your tips which is why I featured the article anyway.
Sorry you missed the giveaway. I hope to have more of varying products in the near future. I’m glad that I was able to give you some extra tips. Thank you so much for featuring my blog!!
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