Kitchen sponges are something that everyone uses, and it would be impossible to live without them, right? This is why making a switch to a more eco-friendly and sustainable sponge is another thing you can add to your “going green” list!
We already mentioned kitchen sponges in our eco-friendly kitchen essentials—so, let’s revisit the topic in more detail.
The thing with plastic sponges is that they aren’t biodegradable and do more harm to our environment than good. Just think about how many kitchen sponges we go through in a week or month!
Kitchen sponges need to be swapped out often since they are a breeding ground for bacteria. I mean, there’s research done claiming that your kitchen sponge holds more bacteria than your bathroom – so it makes sense to replace them often.
Today we’re going to take you through a more eco-friendly way of replacing your kitchen sponges. We will describe how some materials like stainless steel, Tampico fiber, boar or horsehair, palm fiber, or even bamboo fiber sponges are not only better for the environment but give a better clean too!
So, let’s get to it!
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Natural Plant Based Scrub Sponge
The Natural Plant Based Sponges come in a pack of 12 and are made out of sustainable palm fiber, paired with a walnut scrubber for effective cleaning.
I like eco-friendly sponges because they don’t collect foul odors the same way traditional sponges do. So you can rest assured that the palm fiber sponges won’t collect as many bad smells and germs, and they don’t contain any chemical fibers either.
If you’re worried about the natural sponge falling apart, don’t be. These palm fiber sponges effortlessly clean your kitchen while remaining durable and long-lasting.
Plus, even though the scrubber is made out of walnuts, it’s still non-scratching and won’t destroy your plates or pots and will remain soft even after multiple washes.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Scrubit Biodegradable Scrubbing Sponges
The Scrubit Biodegradable Sponges are incredibly tough, especially its scouring pad.
The eco-friendly sponges are 100% biodegradable and don’t contain any chemicals, plastics, or toxins. They are still gentle enough to wash plates with or wipe down surfaces without scratching delicate surfaces.
The Scrubit sponges are made out of wood cellulose, which is what makes them so tough. Plus, they last for a long time too!
The only downside to this product is that the sponges arrive packaged in a ton of plastic which is a pity.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Natural Plant Based Scrub Sponge
The 8-pack Natural Plant based scrub sponges are also made out of palm fibers, making them very tough and durable.
Other materials include coconut husk and wood to give them more scrubbing power which is ideal for cleaning pots and pans without damaging them. Plus, they are also great for scrubbing the stove with, as well as counters and anywhere else that tends to get grimy.
Most importantly, the sponges are eco-friendly and 100% compostable – which is a huge plus!
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Miw Piw Natural Dish Sponge
The Miw Piw natural sponges are simple yet super effective!
These sponges are 100% plastic-free and biodegradable, plus they come in eco-friendly packaging too. The Miw Piw sponges are created out of plant-based materials, making them breathable, sustainable, and completely compostable.
I like that these vegetable sponges are affordable and long-lasting, making the switch to a zero-waste lifestyle that much easier! The sponges have the appearance of a natural loofah but with double the scrubbing power.
They also air dry pretty quickly, avoiding the growth of nasty germs or mold.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Natural Hemp Sponges
For both aesthetic and eco-friendly alternatives, check out the Natural Hemp sponges!
The hemp sponges are knitted manually, which helps them keep their shape even when submerged in hot water for long periods. The hemp itself is also very tough and durable, and you can rest assured it will help to get your dishes cleaned.
Upon purchasing, you’ll get 3 biodegradable hemp sponges which will arrive in eco-friendly packaging.
Due to their cool appearance, the Natural Hemp sponges would also make a cute housewarming gift for a loved one!
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Palm Pot Brush — Bamboo
For something even sturdier, have a look at the bamboo palm pot brushes.
These bamboo brushes are designed with very tough and stiff bristles that will power through last night’s spaghetti-stained plates like no other. They can also effectively reach the nooks and crannies that a traditional sponge won’t, and their heat-resistant design will prevent them from getting damaged when scrubbing hot pans.
The natural pot brushes are great for anywhere in the house, including bathrooms, countertops, or anything else that needs a good scrubbing.
The set includes a single Tampico fiber and 2 pot brushes.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
FEBU Zero Waste Bamboo Dish Brush Set
If you like it when things match, then you’ll appreciate this No products found..
The bamboo set includes a handy bottle brush, an all-purpose brush, a Tawashi vegetable brush, and a sturdy loofah sponge.
The cleaning tools are 100% biodegradable and compostable, and since they are made out of bamboo, you can rest assured they are both tough and long-lasting.
FEBU further assures that all of its goods are packed in eco-friendly materials, and everything they produce is vegan, sustainable, and compostable.
Why Conventional Sponges Are Bad?
Conventional sponges are harmful to our health and environment for various reasons. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. They aren’t biodegradable.
The traditional kitchen sponges don’t biodegrade naturally due to the chemicals and materials used in the making process.
This means they’ll end up on our landfills and in our waterways for an incredibly long time. This is especially devastating when we consider the number of kitchen sponges we go through in our lifetime – which is a lot!
2. Microplastics
The traditional yellow or green kitchen sponges you might be used to are made out of plastic. So each time you wash your dishes using one, you’re essentially washing tiny particles of plastics or microplastics back into the sea.
Since the plastic particles are so tiny, our filtration systems aren’t that great at detecting them. These microplastics are then eaten by ocean life, which is incredibly harmful to them.
And since most of us consume fish and other forms of seafood, we are putting these microplastics back into our body since a study claims that half of those are eaten by us.
That doesn’t sound too appetizing, right?
3. Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels such as crude oil are used to make plastic, which are the major contributors to climate change.
This is devastating to the planet and humankind since there have been terrible cases of oil pollution caused by greedy oil companies, as in this case, for instance.
What did you think of the zero-waste kitchen sponges? Have you made the switch to a more sustainable alternative yet? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
If you want more sustainable options for your kitchen, check out the best kitchen countertop compost bins for a much greener lifestyle, and thanks for reading!
Anna Miller is a content manager at TrashBackwards. She’s passionate about living a zero-waste lifestyle. Anna has been writing about eco-friendly tips for years now, and she’s got some great ideas on how you can go plastic-free! She loves sharing her knowledge about eco-lifestyle with others. Her articles are always witty and insightful! Shoot her a message if you’ve got any questions about how you can start going green.
