9 Types of Cleaning Sponges Use the Right Sponge for The Job

In this article, well get down and dirty about cleaning sponges. Did you know that there are more than one type available? Well talk about these varieties in a little bit, what theyre good for, and where you can use them.

Cleaning Sponges

These cleaning materials are typically made of some sort of porous material thats designed to clean easily and effectively get rid of dirt or grime. They are often made of cellulose fibers, plastic polymers, or nylon material. These make cleaning tasks easier and less tiring.

Cleaning chores are part of daily life at home in the bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and other areas. You can keep these areas looking in top shape if you clean them regularly. But using the right cleaning items will not just do a good job cleaning, but will also make it easier and more effortless for you. Also, you should be careful in using the right kind of cleaning material to avoid causing damage on surfaces, which might be more counterproductive than anything.

Lets learn more about the different kinds of cleaning sponges and which tasks theyre best for.

Abrasive Sponges

As the name suggests, they are made of abrasive material, making them ideal for cleaning cookware, grills, outdoor furniture, and other areas that require extensive scraping to remove dirt. There are also different levels of abrasiveness, so make sure to check the labels or read the product info before buying one. Too abrasive a sponge might scratch and damage surfaces, while a lack of abrasiveness might not clean as much as you need it to.

Cellulose Sponges

These are typically made from wood pulp. You can see noticeable holes in them. These aid in absorbing liquid and keep it inside the sponge, so you can use the moisture while cleaning. These are great for countertops and bathroom surfaces. They are also often used for washing dishes. It can be hard to rinse them out completely, so make sure you dont use them to wipe raw meat juices or raw eggs.

Combination: Abrasive and Cellulose Sponges

These are popular choices today because of their versatility. You can use them for so many tasks in day to day life. You get the advantages of both abrasive and cellulose materials. These sponges often come two-sides, one abrasive side and one cellulose side. You can also pick from different levels of abrasiveness (for one side). Daily chores will generally require only a low and non-scratch abrasiveness level.

Dobie

Dobie is the signature all-purpose cleaning pad from the popular household brand Scotch-Brite. This has been in circulation since 1958 and has set the industry standard for the need of high-quality cleaning products designed for daily home use. Still popular to this day, it handles all sorts of cleaning chores well. It has a non-scratch pad design thats suited for kitchen and bathroom use. Its also safe to use on non-stick cookware and china without damaging their surfaces.

Dry Sponges

These are made of a rubber mixture and, unlike many in our list, are meant to be used dry. You can use these to clean surfaces that dont tolerate water or moisture. The most common use of dry sponges is cleaning soot from areas that are regularly exposed to fire and smoke, such as fireplace mantles, bricks, window screens, carpet, curtains, or surfaces that caught fire. These are also excellent for cleaning fabric window coverings and wallpapered walls.

When the side of the sponge is fully covered with soot or dirt, you can simply slice that portion off, and you have a fresh side once again.

Magic Eraser (Durafoam / Cell Sponge Rubber)

This product comes from Mr. Clean and has become a household name since its launch. It is made of Durafoam and works as soon as you wet it, where it becomes activated and is ready for cleaning. The reason why moms love it so much is you can use it for basically anything crayon marks on the walls, dirt on countertops, grime in bathroom tiles, and more.

The company has also released various versions for different types of cleaning. But remember never to use it on your skin. This is also not suitable for fragile and glossy surfaces, such as cars.

Steel Wool

Also called wire sponge, this cleaner is a bundle of flexible and fine sharp-edged metal or steel filaments. It is suitable for cleaning porcelain and glass since it is softer than these materials. But youll need to be cautious, because it can still scrape off the surface if used too harshly. When used right, it can remove dirt and deposits without scratching the surface.

Microfiber Cloths

These are very popular these days. Microfiber cloths have thinner fibers than regular cloth, because they are made from synthetic materials. These can absorb oil and dirt. These are favored by many since they are very soft and dont scratch surfaces. They also do not shed, making them ideal for mirrors and glass surfaces. You can also use them to dust because of their electrostatic properties (they attract dust naturally)!

Sea Sponges

These are natural sponges that can be found growing on the floor of the ocean. Since they are completely natural, these are the most eco-friendly option. They are also versatile you can use them for bathing, exfoliating your skin, applying or removing makeup and cosmetics, cleaning bathrooms, dishwashing, washing cars, and more. Talk about multi-purpose!

There are various types of sea sponges, depending on how soft or hard you need them. So be sure to check the softness level before you buy them.

We hope this guide has shed some light on which cleaning sponges you need! Which ones do you use at home? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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