Which Sponges Are the Most Effective?

Top Pick

We adore the Skura Style Skrubby Sponge (the brand behind Eva Mendes!) for its long-lasting quality and dual-sided design. It's perfect for cleaning delicate surfaces like fine china and nonstick pans, while the scouring side is gentle enough not to scratch your cookware yet tough on dirt and grime.

For those unsure when it's time to replace a sponge, this one has a helpful fading label on the scouring side to let you know when a change is due.

Made with polyurethane foam, this sponge resists absorbing unpleasant odors, ensuring your cleaning experience stays fresh. Its small pores prevent it from trapping food particles or debris, giving it a longer lifespan. Additionally, it dries quickly and is easy to rinse.

Material: Polyurethane foam | Size: 4.5 x 2.75 x 1 inches

Best Budget

Sold in a convenient six-pack at a very affordable price, the Amazon Basics Non-Scratch Sponge is a budget-friendly choice that doesn’t compromise on performance. One side features a scrubbing pad, while the other offers a gentle wiping surface.

The scrubbing side is safe for all surfaces, including stainless steel and nonstick coatings. Instead of discarding your sponge when it starts to look dirty, simply place it in the dishwasher for an easy and thorough clean between uses.

While this sponge isn’t designed to handle stubborn, baked-on grime and tough messes like a scouring pad, it’s perfect for everyday cleaning tasks. You can also use it for chores around the house, including wiping down countertops and bathroom surfaces.

Material: Cellulose, cotton, polyester | Size: 5.4 x 2.4 x 4.5 inches

Best Heavy-Duty

The ever-popular Scrub Daddy preserves its scrubbing power for up to eight weeks, delivering lasting cleaning ability to handle tough, baked-on messes. Unlike standard sponges, its texture changes depending on the temperature of the water.

In cold water, it hardens for superior scrubbing strength, while in warm water, it softens to resemble the feel of a regular sponge. It also rinses clean effortlessly and won’t retain bad odors. You can even sanitize it by placing it on the top rack of your dishwasher.

While the cute smiley-face design may add some fun to dishwashing, it’s also highly functional and ergonomic, offering better cleaning performance. The mouth area is perfect for cleaning hard-to-reach spots on silverware and small utensils.

Material: Foam | Dimensions: 6 by 1.6 inches

Top-Quality Silicone

The Geloo Silicone Sponge is made from food-grade silicone, offering a lightweight, flexible design that’s ideal for cleaning tricky grooves and corners. Its dual-sided bristles efficiently scrub off food and messes. This sponge is both tough and gentle, ensuring it won’t scratch your cookware or stainless steel surfaces.

This sponge is perfect for household chores and is ergonomically designed for comfort. It won’t deteriorate even when exposed to bleach or other chemical cleaners. Additionally, it can be used to clean everything from produce to makeup brushes.

The silicone can withstand heat up to 500°F and is dishwasher and microwave safe. While it resists absorbing odors or food particles, it may not be the best for cleaning liquid spills or messes. Additionally, it can be a bit more slippery than traditional sponges, so it might take a little getting used to.

Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 3.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches

Top Washable Option

Unlike traditional sponges made of cotton, plastic, or plant fibers, the Original Tuff-Scrub features two sides of sturdy microfiber. One side offers a soft and gentle texture, while the other side is built for scrubbing tough stains and heavy-duty cookware. The soft side is perfect for cleaning delicate mirrors, glassware, cocktail glasses, and for quick dusting tasks.

This sponge is also excellent for home cleaning tasks and is safe to use with chemical cleaners on surfaces like tiles and bathtubs. Thanks to its machine-washable and dishwasher-safe design, these sponges resist collecting food stains and odors during use.

Material: Microfiber | Dimensions: 3.8 x 7 x 1 inches

Top Dishwand

Featuring a long handle and an easy-to-fill soap reservoir, the Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Dishwand ensures that you never have to get your hands dirty while washing. The wand’s durable yet gentle scrubbing head reaches into narrow spaces, like drinking glasses, and is designed to tackle tough, baked-on food and grease.

This versatile dishwand is safe for all cookware and surfaces, making it a go-to tool for not just dishes, but all kinds of kitchen cleaning tasks. With its refillable soap dispenser, it releases soap automatically with every push, so you don’t need to reach for the bottle constantly. Plus, the ergonomic handle ensures a secure grip even during long cleaning sessions.

Material: Made of plastic | Dimensions: 4 inches by 9 inches by 1 inch

Ideal for Household Cleaning

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is excellent for tackling messes on shoes, walls, and bathroom surfaces. Simply add water to activate its cleaning power—no need for additional chemicals or cleaners.

This option takes on tough stains that regular sponges can’t handle, such as permanent marker stains and scuffs on furniture. Made from durable durafoam, this sponge is perfect for household cleaning. However, it should not be used on stainless steel or nonstick surfaces. The good news is that it comes in a pack of four sponges at a budget-friendly price, meaning you don’t need to replace them often.

Material: Durafoam | Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.3 x 1 inches

Final Thoughts

Our top choice is the Skura Style Skrubby Sponge due to its exceptional durability, long-lasting use, and the convenient fading logo that indicates when it’s time to replace it. We also love that it dries quickly and doesn’t absorb odors, making the cleaning experience more pleasant. If you're looking for an affordable and straightforward sponge, we recommend the Amazon Basics Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge.

How to Choose Sponges Like an Expert

Material

When selecting the right material for your sponge, start by thinking about its intended use. If you're after a versatile option that works for both dishes and household cleaning, Durda suggests cellulose sponges, like our top budget-friendly pick, Amazon Basics Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge. “Cellulose sponges are the most common type found in stores,” he explains. “They are generally made from wood pulp that’s processed into a highly absorbent material.”

However, if you plan to use your sponge primarily for heavy-duty dishwashing or tackling greasy, grimy areas, Durda recommends natural or synthetic abrasive sponges. These sponges have a rough texture or built-in scouring pad to help you manage stubborn messes.

“It’s crucial to be aware that delicate surfaces like glass or stainless steel can easily be damaged when paired with the wrong abrasive sponge,” Durda advises. “Always read the packaging to ensure compatibility.”

Purpose

The purpose of your sponge will dictate which type is most appropriate for your needs. For surfaces such as glass, stainless steel, or mirrors, avoid sponges with abrasive pads that could scratch or harm the surface.

However, for tough cookware or baked-on messes, opt for a scouring pad capable of cutting through stubborn grease. Versatile sponges, like the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or a natural sponge, are great choices for a variety of surfaces around the house.

Features

Although sponges can have a basic design, many include additional features that help make cleaning more efficient. From built-in scouring pads to machine-washable designs, think about what extra features could enhance your cleaning routine.

For a sponge that will last, choose one made from synthetic materials that can endure daily use and withstand heavy-duty tasks (like the Scrub Daddy). Alternatively, if you prefer natural materials, look for sponges with a built-in scouring or scrubbing pad to help tackle the grease and grime that can be difficult to remove from cookware.

Questions You Might Have

How long does a sponge last?

A sponge used daily for dishes should typically last about two weeks. However, sponges used for household tasks can remain effective for up to a month.

"Natural sponges tend to degrade more quickly than synthetic ones," says Durda. "However, it's essential to always rinse and dry your sponge thoroughly after each use to help prolong its life." Microfiber and silicone sponges can endure for a much longer period due to their washable, resilient construction.

Are there antibacterial sponges?

Antibacterial sponges are perfect for those who seek a sponge that resists odors and bacteria. However, Berry points out that the term 'antibacterial' can often be a misleading marketing tactic. "An antibacterial sponge simply means it’s made from hydrophilic engineered foam," she explains.

"This foam doesn’t hold moisture after squeezing like a cellulose or natural sponge would," Berry adds. "Since bacteria thrive in moist environments, sponges made from hydrophilic engineered foam aren’t necessarily antibacterial—they're just less likely to encourage bacterial growth compared to cellulose or natural sponges."

How should you sanitize a sponge?

Berry suggests soaking your sponge in a disinfecting solution made of bleach and water, or alternatively, white vinegar and water. You can also sanitize it by boiling or microwaving the sponge while it’s wet.

"The key to microwaving is that the sponge must be soaking wet, and it should be microwaved on high for enough time to get the water inside the sponge boiling. Typically, that takes about two minutes," says Berry. "Boiling breaks down the proteins and compounds in bacteria, causing it to die. This process kills 99% of the bacteria in most kitchen sponges, but over time, the remaining 1% may accumulate, which is why it's crucial to replace sponges when they reach the end of their lifespan."

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Kate McGregor, a design and market editor who specializes in home goods and cleaning products for Mytour. To craft this article, she examined various sponges, considering factors like material, usage, durability, and pricing. She also consulted with James Durda, co-founder of Therapy Clean, and Katie Berry, author of 30 Days to a Clean and Organized House.