Eco friendly sponge alternatives - coloured cloths and two brushes

The 10 Best Eco Friendly Sponge Alternatives

11 Comments / Living Sustainably / By /



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Long lasting alternatives to kitchen sponges

I never used to go through many sponges because we didn’t do the dishes very often. It sounds bad I know but we mainly used the dishwasher and the few things that required hand washing weren’t too grimey so we could get away with doing dishes once every two days. Apart from washing dishes, the kitchen sponges didn’t get used for much else.

Enter first born child. Once she started eating solids, I was having to wipe down the high chair three times a day and the top rack of the dishwasher was always full of her plastic dining ware so some would need handwashing. Because the sponges were in constant use, they were always wet and would be smelly after just one week. I hated throwing so many away.

I had to find an alternative. My preference was for something that could go in the washing machine so a type of cloth was perfect. Then I progressed to buying natural fibre scrubbers.

Here I’ve compiled a list of eco friendly sponge alternatives including sponges, cloths, brushes and scrubbers. They are almost exclusively made from natural fibres and the few instances that they contain plastic, it is from recycled plastic.

Eco friendly sponges

These sponges are most like your traditional sponge. Spongey cellulose with a scourer pad on one side. How these sponge are more eco friendly is by using recycled plastic for the scourer pad.

Full Circle Refresh Scrubber Sponges

Made from: Cellulose and recycled plastic

Three sponges in blue and yellow
Full Circle Scrubber Sponges use recycled plastic bottles for the abrasive pad. Buy now from Nourished Life.

Full Circle Laid Back Sponge

Made from: Bamboo, cellulose and recycled plastic

Eco friendly sponge with wooden handle
The curve of the Full Circle Laid Back Sponge means the sponge is off the bench and drys faster. Replacements sponge heads are available. Buy now from Nourished Life.

Eco Friendly Cleaning Cloths

The best features of these cleaning clothes are they are:

  • Machine washable
  • Come in packs of 3 meaning available spares while others are being washed
  • Made from natural fibres
  • Last a long time
  • At end of life can be composted due to natural fibres
  • Gentle on surfaces and won’t scratch

Full Circle Tidy Dish Cloths

Made from: 100% organic cotton

Three overlapping striped coloured cloths
Full Circle Tidy Dish Cloths have a handy hanging loop and don’t leave streaks. Buy Now from Nourished Life.

Resparkle Bamboo Microfibre Cloths

Made from: Bamboo

Natural bamboo microfibre cloth
Resparkle Bamboo Microfibre Cloths are hygenic and odour free. Buy Now from Nourished Life.

Full Circle Pulp Friction Wood Fibre Cleaning Cloths

Made from: Viscose from wood pulp

Three stacked folded cloths in blue, grey and green
Full Circle Pulp Friction Wood Fibre Cleaning Cloths are perfect as an alternative to paper towels as well as sponges. Buy Now from Nourished Life.

Full Circle Squeeze Cellulose Cloths

Made from: Cellulose

Three overlapping square cloths in blue, yellow and green
Full Circle Squeeze Cellulose Cloths can be freshened up by putting them in the dishwasher. Buy Now from Nourished Life.

Brushes and scrubbers

Sometimes a sponge or cloth just isn’t going to cut it and you need something to get the tough stuff off.

Eco Max Premium Dish Brush

Made from: Coconut fibre, galvanised wire and wood.

Certified Fair Trade, FSC Certified.

Coconut fibre scrubbing brush with handle
Eco Max Premium Dish Brush is made from long lasting coconut fibre. Buy Now from Nourished Life.

Eco Max Non-Stick Pan Brush

Made from: Jute, galvanised wire and timber.

Gentle on non stick pans. Certified Fair Trade and FSC Certified.

Scrubbing brush with wooden handle and hanging loop
Eco Max Non-Stick Pan Brush is gentle on non-stick pans. Buy Now from Nourished Life.

Life Basics Round Pot Brush

Made from: Bamboo and palm fibre

Round pot brush
Life Basics Round Pot Brush comes in two types – hard or soft. Buy Now from Nourished Life.

Resparkle Copper Scrubber

Made from: 100% copper

Copper wool scrubber in a ring shape
The Resparkle Copper Scrubber helps you scour away tough grease, grime and baked-on foods. Buy Now from Nourished Life. 

Switch to a more sustainable cleaning sponge alternative today

Which long lasting kitchen sponge alternative are you most interested? Have you come across any others you love? Let me know in the comments.

More on eco-friendly swaps

11 thoughts on “The 10 Best Eco Friendly Sponge Alternatives”

  2. Kim

    I never realised there were so many alternatives to the common sponge. Like you after the birth of my child, its uses increased significantly. I love these suggestions and will look into these alternatives

  4. Kaitlin

    I think every parent can relate to this! There is such an increase in dishes when you add children to the family, and it’s helpful to know of more eco friendly solutions. Thanks for sharing!

  5. Morgan | Little Home on the Iowa Prairie

    These are such good recommendations for people at all stages of wanting to go zero waste! I tend to use washcloths for almost anything that I’d use a sponge or paper towels for, but sometimes when you’re scrubbing dishes you just need that little extra scrubbing power that scrubbers can give you.

  6. Amanda

    After seeing this I want to make a switch ! I like non stick pan brush ! Thank you for sharing this !

  9. Roxanne Ferber

    Years ago I switched to a mesh dish cloth that I thought was ridiculous and never going to clean anything. Turns out it is the best thing I’ve every purchased. I have two to swap out I need toss one in the wash and I haven’t purchased a single sponge in 6 o 7 years!

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