Washing up sponges

[FangsForTheMemory]

I know someone who puts these in the washing machine if they get old and grubby. Is this a thing? I find it weird.

No I toss them.

No, bin them. But I only buy the Asda ones, they’re so cheap at about 40p for a pack of 6

I refuse to use them! Such an infestation of bacteria. I cant bring myself to use them. DH would happily use one over and over again, and leave in the washing bowl, but I just find the whole thing grim, when multiple other, more hygenic cleaning options are available now!

I use them until they're absolutely dead & then bin them. But I only use the scrubby ones for really mucky pans. I use a knitted dishcloth mostly (washable & extremely durable).

@Elouera - I put my dishcloth & sponge in the little side sink every couple of days with a tiny squeeze of disinfectant/bleach/whatever & some water. It keeps the sink plughole from getting stinky too.

Must add bleach to shopping list.

I wash my minky ones in the washing machine but the sponge ones with the scrubby side just bin when they get old. I love my dishmatic and mainly use that just replace the head when it’s getting manky. Out of interest @Elouera what do you use instead?

They disintegrate quite quickly so I wouldn’t put them in the washing machine. You would probably end up with pipes clogged with pieces of sponge
I don’t use these sponges often but when I do I discard after a week or so. In the meantime if I want to be sure they are clean I pour boiling water over them.

@FangsForTheMemory

I know someone who puts these in the washing machine if they get old and grubby. Is this a thing? I find it weird.

Why is it weird? Do you wash your dishes with dirty sponges? Do you throw still serviceable but whiffy sponges in the bin where they end up in landfill? That's weird, if you do.

@Elouera

I refuse to use them! Such an infestation of bacteria. I cant bring myself to use them. DH would happily use one over and over again, and leave in the washing bowl, but I just find the whole thing grim, when multiple other, more hygenic cleaning options are available now!

Like what other than dish cloths which are equally as minging....

Thankfully most stuff goes in the dishwasher but I use a sponge/scourer and we put them in the wash until they’re knackered. Obviously they’re cheap but it’s more to do with the environment than anything else so we use as long as we can.

I put wash powder in the sink with really hot water & wash them every couple of days & use the water to give sink a really good clean with cloth

I buy reusable ones from Lakeland. After use you put them in the washing machine.

@TableFlowerss- no I dont use wash cloths either! I use washing up brushes, which dry between use and can be kept in a container with bleach.

@Walkingtheplank

I buy reusable ones from Lakeland. After use you put them in the washing machine.

Would love a link to the reusable ones!

Link to re-usables:

www.lakeland.co.uk/23377/Lakeland-4-Microfibre-Dual-Action-Kitchen-Sponges---Brights

There are compostable sponges and scourers that work really well and much better than filling up landfill with plastic sponges

Or the reusable, washable ones also work well.

No, as @Elouera says they're grim, there is no way of getting them clean at all.

On the very rare occasion I would use a sponge, I use those spontex (think that's a brand) but those type sponges (the ones that dry rock hard when dry), as bacteria can't take hold when there is no moisture.

Look up Swedish dish cloths. I got a multicoloured pack on Amazon. They are like spongy material, but natural so compostable. They last for ages and can be washed up to 50 times each at 60 degrees. I'd never go back to plastic sponges now.

I also have a wooden dish brush for stubborn bits. It has a replaceable head so also very eco friendly and I wonder what I was ever doing with plastic brushes where the whole thing had to be thrown out when the bristles were done in.

I put mine in the washing machine. I didn't even consider if it was gross. I use them for a couple of days (with a soapy rinse after each use) then they go through the washing machine. They don't last forever, so I chuck them after maybe 4 or 5 goes through the machine.

I have a plastic brush too but I find it only really works with pans/casserole dishes etc. I don't like using it on glasses or plates.

I bought the ‘Wash Up Wiz Net Scourer’ from Lakeland and I pop it in the cutlery holder of the dishwasher to clean it. Lasts months and costs £7.99
I think I’ll also get the ones @Walkingtheplank mentions and try those too.

Does anyone use those reusable silicone ones? I'm curious if they're any good.

I'd be scared of damaging the washing machine.

I use the sponge scourers, but I tend to replace them pretty often. Whenever I'm in someone else's kitchen they always seem to have one that's just totally worn and minging that I would have binned long ago. They stop being effective at scrubbing when they get too worn after all.

I like the sound of the Swedish cloths.

For scrubbing I use Kilo Scrubbies. They are cotton and can be washed too.

These are absolutely fab - coconut scourers. They last ages (my current one still looks great after 8mths) don't go manky, scrub without scratching, and can compost at the end.

https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/ecococonut/ecococonut-scourer---twin-pack/?PCode=DSGPESS15&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-vvqpNGa7QIVStTtCh1VOAVOEAQYAyABEgKsLDD_BwE

I tried the silicone ones and they were rubbish for scrubbing