Ladies, let's hear a holler if you agree: there's nothing better than a good sponge. Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but let's face it: a good sponge is a precious thing. You can use a sponge to wash dishes, clean any surface in your home, wipe down fragile items, and you can even use it as a fun painting medium. There is a huge variety of sponges available on the market today, so to make your sponge-buying decision easier, we decided to figure out which ones are the best. Read on to soak up some cold hard facts about our favorite sponges. Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges Long-Lasting DurabilityThese high-quality sponges last longer than most other options.Best OverallFind on Amazon Sponges are used for everything, including cleaning your dishes, counters, appliances, and bathroom fixtures. The problem is that many of them are abrasive and scratch up different surfaces, leaving you with ruined pots, scrtached pans, or scuffed-up toilets. Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges are a gentler option. These sponges are double-sided to provide a wide range of uses. The sponge side is made of cellulose, which is both sustainable and longer-lasting, while the scrubbing side is comprised of recycled materials, making it eco-friendly. We especially love this sponge in the bathroom because it’s extra gentle on porcelain. Who wants a scratched-up toilet or bathtub? It does an excellent job of cleaning your non-stick pans, as well, and won’t cause any damage to the coating. Pros: The materials used are all sustainable and more eco-friendly than foam sponge materials You don’t have to worry about ruining your non-stick or cast iron pans They can be washed in your dishwasher, which allows them to last 50% longer than most sponges Dish soaps and detergents get nice and sudsy with this sponge These are great for all general cleaning purposes because they won’t scratch your appliances Cons: These do not work as well on stuck-on messes and stains as some of the competitors Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges The Fearless SpongeGreat for those dreaded stuck-on messes and big cleaning jobs.Best Heavy DutyFind on Amazon It doesn’t matter how well you clean or how much prevention you use – at some point, you will end up with a big mess that takes a lot of elbow grease and scrubbing to get out. That is when you need to reach for Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges. These sponges make quick work of tough jobs. For example, they will easily remove stuck-on meat and sauce from your casserole dish or the ground-in mud on the floor. They are so tough and durable that they can be used on oven racks, concrete floors, pipes, and more. When they look and feel gross, simply throw them into the dishwasher and run them with your dishes. They’ll come out clean and ready for further use. Pros: These can scrub up any mess so you don’t have to work as hard at getting things clean The scrubby side of the sponge is made of all recycled materials, making it a greener product than many other sponges You can choose between several packaging sizes to fit your needs They are not made just for dishes – they are made for cleaning up all over the house Strength, durability, and the ability to wash them in the dishwasher ensure these sponges last longer than average Cons: You can’t use these for anything that will be damaged by scratching – for example, non-stick coated pans and ceramic fixtures Camtoa Dish Wand and Refill Pack Easy to UseThis dish wand makes it that much easier to clean up after a meal, even when you really don't feel like it.Best WandFind on Amazon Washing dishes can be messy. Your hands get wet and covered in soap suds, your sponge may have food stuck to it that then touches your hands, and you have to continuously add more water and soap to keep the sponge wet and soapy. Change it up and go mess-free with the Camtoa Dish Wand and Refill Pack. This dish wand lets you wash your dishes without needing to touch or hold a sponge. It keeps your hands free, and the dish liquid is held in the handle so you don’t even have to keep adding more to it. Simply press the button to release more soap as needed and scrub those dishes clean. When the sponge eventually gets nasty and dirty, throw it out and pop on a replacement. Each one clips onto the wand, so you barely even need to pause. Pros: This dish wand keeps your hands clean and mess-free The sponges are durable and last for a week at a time You get 7 clip-on sponge refills with your dish wand, so you don’t need to worry about buying replacements for a while It is priced affordably The handle is shaped to be comfortable and easy to use Cons: If you are rough while scrubbing, the sponge itself can separate a bit from the clip that attaches it to the wand Scrubit Plant-Based Scrub Sponges Naturally Plant-BasedThis sponge is made to do what sponges do without harming the earth and our environment.Most Eco-FriendlyFind on Amazon Are you making a real effort to minimize your carbon footprint? If so, that’s great. We know how hard it can be to find high-quality cleaning products and tools that don’t harm the environment, which is why we’re excited to point you towards this one. The Scrubit Plant-Based Scrub Sponges are made of all-natural cellulose and recycled natural fibers. This sponge is naturally bacteria-resistant so it won’t develop a nasty odor or spread germs around the way other sponges can. When it does get dirty, just put it in the dishwasher and run it through with your dishes. On one side of this sponge, there is a scouring pad, which does an amazing job at cleaning tough messes in any room of your home. The spongy side is soft and foams up easily with just a little detergent. Overall, these plant-based sponges are a great investment. Pros: The scouring pad works really well on oven racks, heavy pots and pans, dishes, and anything else that has a stuck-on mess You will truly appreciate how eco-friendly these sponges are It is not as susceptible to funky smells and build-up as many of the other options, so you can use it for longer They are durable and won’t leave little pieces on your dishes or cleaning surface Upgraded packaging is also eco-friendly and ensures your sponges stay dry Cons: The scouring pad side can scratch and damage non-stick surfaces and porcelain Treenewbid Non-Scratch Cleaning Sponges More for LessThese sponges make quick work of your dishes without breaking the bank.Best on a BudgetFind on Amazon Sometimes what matters most is the money. That doesn’t mean you want to sacrifice all of the quality, it just means you want to get a good deal on well-made sponges, which is exactly what you get when you choose Treenewbid Non-Scratch Cleaning Sponges. This affordable 24-pack of sponges comes in compact packaging to save space in your kitchen. Store them flat and then soak in water to get them to their full shape. The thick sponge is made of microfiber for maximum absorbency, and the scouring pad is gentle, yet effective on all surfaces. We like these sponges for cleaning and doing dishes, and they are an excellent choice for anyone on a budget. Pros: You get 24 sponges for the same price as 6 of their major competitors’ sponges The soft spongy side foams the dish liquid up really well and does a great job of soaking up grease and grime They come packaged flat and dehydrated, meaning they will never develop mold nor take up too much space The scouring pad part is not too rough so you can use it on any surface in your home safely We love great customer service, and this company does a great job of ensuring customers are happy Cons: These sponges are not as durable as many of the competitors Frequently Asked Questions Why do you need to replace your sponge? Sponges need to be replaced because if you don’t, bacteria will build up. Once that happens, the sponge will start to smell bad and it will spread the bacteria to your dishes and any other surfaces it touches. From there, the bacteria ends up on utensils, food, and ultimately, inside of your body. You can get very sick if harmful bacteria gets into your body, so to avoid that, change your sponges often. How often should you replace your sponge? Sponges should be replaced every month at the very latest. In most cases, it is best to aim for closer to every 2 weeks. If you use it for harder jobs, like pots and pans or bodily fluid clean-up, you may want to take that even further and change it weekly. Some sponges can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning and some people microwave a damp sponge to kill bacteria to extend its life. However, you should still use a new sponge at least once a month. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Pooper Scoopers Read more The Best Pooper Scoopers Read more The Best Pooper Scoopers Read more