Did you know that your kitchen sponge is the dirtiest place in your home...dirtier than your bathroom toilet! That's because kitchen sponges collect bits of food and stay wet, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. Brushes, on the other hand, dry faster and hold less food, which makes them 2.5x less likely to harbour any yuckiness.
It's time we examined our use of the commonly used dish washing sponge. It's small, absorbent, and seemingly effective at scrubbing away food debris. But is it really the best tool for the job? Research suggests otherwise.
Let's explore why switching to a dish brush could be a healthier, more sustainable option for your kitchen routine.
Bacteria Love Sponges – Too Much!
The warm, damp environment of a sponge makes it the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. In two recent studies published in the National Library of Medicine, it was revealed that sponges can harbor as many as 362 different types of bacteria, including harmful strains like E. coli and Salmonella. No matter how diligently you rinse or clean your sponge, it's almost impossible to eliminate all the bacteria living inside it.
"The lowest bacterial numbers were found in brushes, where a rapid die-off of all types of bacteria was observed (Fig. 3). For sponges, rapid initial growth of bacteria was observed (Fig. 3), and the total bacterial numbers reached around 9 log after 1 to 3 days, and remained stable thereafter." Science Direct, 2021
A dish brush dries more quickly between uses. Its bristles are less likely to trap food particles, and because it doesn't retain as much moisture, bacteria have fewer places to thrive. This means a dish brush stays cleaner and more hygienic for longer periods, reducing the risk of cross-contamination in your kitchen.
Dish Brushes Are Easier to Clean
One of the greatest benefits of a dish brush is how easy it is to clean and maintain. Make sure your dish brushes dry out after every use, and for a simple clean, soak the dish brush in boiling water or a vinegar or chlorine solution for a few minutes. This will effectively kill bacteria and remove any leftover grime, ensuring it stays fresh for many uses.
More Sustainable for the Planet
While sponges typically need to be replaced every one to two weeks to maintain hygiene, dish brushes last significantly longer, often several months. Our Better Basics dish brushes are made with sustainable materials like FSC bamboo and coconut fibers, making them compostable at the end of their life. When the time comes to replace your brush, these materials are often biodegradable or recyclable, unlike synthetic sponges that end up in landfills.
Less Risk of Microplastics in Your Home
Traditional synthetic sponges are often made of materials like polyurethane or cellulose, which can break down into microplastics over time. These tiny particles are not only harmful to marine life but can also find their way into our homes, water systems, and eventually, our bodies.
Dish brushes, especially those made from natural materials, pose a lower risk of shedding microplastics. Opting for a natural-fiber dish brush means you're helping to protect both the planet and your health.