Skip Microplastics With These Non-Toxic Sponges, From $2

With new kitchen tools launching constantly — and safety warnings popping up just as often — it can feel overwhelming to figure out what you should actually be using. In recent years, concerns have cropped up about black plastic utensils, microplastics in cutting boards, and bristles in grill brushes. 

While you’d think kitchen sponges — a tool meant to keep things clean — would be harmless, recent reports suggest otherwise. Now, scientists believe melamine sponges “shed microplastic fibers when worn down,” making us reconsider the tools we use to clean dirty dishes and surfaces. It might be time to replace those old-school sponges with foam, silicone, or other plastic-free alternatives. Read on for some non-toxic sponge and dish scrubber options. 

• Scrub Daddy Color Sponges, 3-Pack, $14
• Scrub Daddy Sponge Daddy Kitchen Sponge and Scrubber, 4-Pack, $9
• Scrubit Microfiber Sponges, 6-Pack, $10
• OXO Good Grips Dish Brush, $8
• Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Scrubbers, 3-Pack, $2
• Geloo Silicone Sponge, $8

Scrub Daddy Color Sponges, 3-Pack

Scrub Daddy is leading the charge in non-traditional sponge innovation. Made from FlexTexture polymer foam, they’re safe to use on nearly any surface — including stainless steel, cast iron, glass, you name it. They’re also odor-resistant, which is something to be excited about if you’ve ever dealt with a smelly sponge in the kitchen. With over 70,000 five-star ratings and over 30,000 sets sold on Amazon in the past month alone, it’s clear this sponge revolution is well underway.

Scrub Daddy Sponge Daddy Kitchen Sponge and Scrubber, 4-Pack

Scrub Daddy’s two-sided sponges take cleaning up a notch, combining a soft sponge with a tough scrubber side. They’re odor- and stain-resistant, perfect for dishes, kitchen surfaces, bathrooms, and even outdoor cleaning. You can grab a set of four for just $9 — just like over 10,000 Amazon shoppers recently did.

Scrub-It Microfiber Sponges, 6-Pack

Microfiber sponges have also become a popular alternative — nearly 15,000 shoppers gave this Scrub-It a five-star rating. These have a microfiber side, plus a durable scrubber side, letting you attack dishes, kitchen surfaces, wine glasses, and even toilets. On that note, these are washing machine- and dryer-safe, so with this 6-pack, you’ll always have fresh sponges ready to go.

OXO Good Grips Dish Brush

Sometimes, you just need a reliable handled brush. OXO’s version has a sturdy, ergonomic handle and nylon bristles that are tough on dishes but also easy to clean and dry. It also has a built-in plastic scraper to easily chip away stuck-on bits from pots and pans. 

Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Scrubbers, 3-Pack

This old-school option is simply a big ball of stainless steel — great for cast iron, pots, pans, grills, and other uncoated cookware. One shopper praised its “superior cleaning power,” saying this “little powerhouse makes cleaning a breeze and leaves my stainless steel cookware sparkling like new.” They’re not alone — over 22,800 shoppers have given this scrubber a five-star rating.

Geloo Silione Sponge

Silicone is a great alternative to classic sponges — durable, flexible, and easy to clean, plus it rarely holds odors. Geloo’s option is BPA-free and also heat-resistant to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Measuring 5.4 x 3.4 x .7 inches, it offers a larger surface area than other similar options, which will help when tackling big messes.