Travel & Lifestyle: Alternatives To Kitchen Sponges To Reduce Bacteria

While the classic palm brush with the short handle is great, maybe you’d prefer to have a few different brushes on hand for dishes of different shapes and sizes. This set of six with bamboo handles and nylon bristles is perfect for that: It includes a palm brush like the one above, but also has a bottle brush, a rounder dish brush with a built-in scraper and three stainless steel straw brushes of different lengths. Both of the taller brushes have loops at the end for easy hanging so they can air-dry faster.

Promising review: “The brushes fits nicely with my sink organizer. The bristles are stiff and works really well. I like how the handles are constructed nicely, it makes my cleaning dishes/pots and veggies way. I use the smallest brush for cleaning my veggies. It’s easy to keep these brushes clean as well after each use.” — Sim Evora

Scotch-Brite’s dishwand brush stands out for its “soap control” feature, which allows you to store soap in the handle and press a button to distribute just the amount you need. The bristles have an antibacterial agent to fight off odor, and the head of the brush also has a built-in scraper to get off tough, caked-on food. You can also replace the brush head with a new one by buying the refills, which are sold in packs of three, so even when the bristles are no longer at their best, you don’t have to get rid of the convenient handle.

Promising review: “I have tried a couple of these from other brands and It tends to ware quickly and the soap leaks out. That is not the case with this one. There is a button to control how much soap comes out. Helps so that you don’t use too much soap. Brush bristles work great cleaning a pan and doesn’t scratch them up. It doesn’t leak so you can hang the brush over your sink. Great size, grip, and durable. Worth the few bucks.” — Kat

You may have seen us wax poetic about these bad boys with nearly 44,000 5-star ratings before. Swedish dishcloths are multipurpose for washing dishes, windows, mirrors, countertops and more, and can replace sponges and paper towels. They are super-absorbent but also quick-drying, odor-resistant and machine-washable, so you can easily clean them and not leave bacteria to fester like you might with a traditional sponge. The dishcloths are soft when wet and gritty when dry to effectively scour. Choose between a bunch of color assortments to spruce up your kitchen.

If you prefer a grittier surface for your dishcloths, look no further than these nylon ones, which are more like a scrubbing and scouring pad. Still safe for non-stick, these are durable and tough on mess while remaining odor-free. They can last up to five times longer than regular sponges, according to the brand, and come with hanging loops so you can store them on a hook for air drying.

Promising review: “I have been using these for a few years now and love them. I have never been a fan of sponges and don’t like using dish rags. They don’t absorb water which means they don’t really hold bacteria. I can usually make 1 rag last a few months before needing to get a new one out. I am sure I will buy more again.” — Shannan

Previous HuffPost reporting recommended buying a silicone scrubber because silicone is non-porous, meaning there are fewer nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide and collect. This water-tight sponge can be cleaned just by tossing it in the dishwasher. The flexible, non-scratch sponge has a unique ergonomic grip that can go between your fingers, and the handle also doubles as a suction cup so you can just stick it on your kitchen wall to air dry if you don’t have a hook to hang brushes or other kitchen tools on. The handle is even collapsible to take up less space. You can get just one sponge to start, or a pack of two or three.

If you’re really attached to the classic shape of a kitchen sponge, you can get one made with fast-drying, non-absorbent silicone for less accumulation of bacteria. This three-pack of Peachy Clean sponges is breathable to reduce unwanted growth of bacteria and odor, and also have — as the name suggests — a pleasant peachy scent. The silicone is non-scratch so you can use it on many different surfaces including non-stick cookware, and the sponges last longer than traditional sponges, according to both the brand and reviewers who have put them to the test.

Promising review: “I love these as an alternative to other sponges. Except for the faint scent they come with which fades over time, the don’t smell at all. You can tell when the soap is completely out once you’re done washing the dishes. Unlike a regular sponge, when you squeeze these the water will eventually run clear. I don’t worry about mildew, mold, or gross bacteria hiding in the nooks and crannies. I’ve used 3 in about 6 months. Definitely could have stretched them longer. You’ll start to notice they fade in color and mine had some bigger holes from getting caught on forks and knives, so that’s when I replaced them.

Highly highly recommend. If you’re like me and find sponges generally revolting, these are awesome.” — M

We’ve already mentioned sisal’s antimicrobial properties, and these cleaning pads offer them in a different design from the brush bristles. The pad design and pack of 12 in one purchase make it convenient to use these on dishes, but also on bathtubs, sinks and other places in the house that need a good scrub. The tough material is meant to be both durable and non-scratch, so you don’t have to worry about destroying your dishes as you clean them.

Coconut husk fibers have been found to have antimicrobial properties — researchers have even noted their effectiveness against oral pathogens when used to brush teeth. The coconut fiber brushes in this three-pack look kind of funky, but they can be used to gently scrub vegetables and produce clean, as well as remove dirt and grime from cast iron, stainless steel, glass, ceramic and other dish materials without scratching. The brushes have a wire hanging loop for easy storage and air drying.

Promising review: “I love these. I was looking for a natural alternative to the plastic scrub brushes we seem to go through so rapidly. These are fantastic, they scrub well but aren’t too abrasive on more delicate surfaces. Can be a little difficult to get into narrow glasses, or into corners, and I like the shape but my husband doesn’t find them as easy to hold, so there’s definitely a degree of personal preference there. They hold up far longer than any plastic brush we’ve ever had, and don’t hold odors or bits of food debris. I use one for scrubbing veggies and one for dishes.” — Emily Dohan