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Easy to use, durable and high performance, if you're in the market for cloths, scourers or sponges, then Aussies recommend Scotch-Brite.
If you're looking for products to help you tackle all those scrubbing and wiping jobs you need to take on in the kitchen, you're spoiled for choice.
Sponges are typically made of cellulose, foam or even silicone, with some products featuring an abrasive pad on one side for those tough scrubbing jobs. The sponge/scourer is the weapon of choice for some home kitchens, but others prefer to have a stainless-steel or copper scourer on hand for when some elbow grease is required. In terms of cleaning cloths, you could opt for humble blue domestic wipes or consider cellulose sponge cloths or even microfibre cleaning cloths.
It all depends on what you need to clean and your own personal preferences. While these unassuming and affordable products are often forgotten about, they perform some of the most important jobs in the kitchen. That's why it's essential to compare your options and find the right sponge, scourer or cloth for your needs.
What should you look for when shopping for products to help you scrub and wipe your way through a host of kitchen chores? Be sure to consider the following factors when comparing your options.
This is the most crucial factor to consider when shopping for kitchen scourers, sponges and the like. Different products are obviously better suited to tackling different tasks. For example, a stainless-steel scourer is designed for heavy-duty scrubbing of pots and pans, while a sponge can be used for everything from washing dishes to wiping down countertops.
The price of kitchen cleaning cloths ranges from less than $0.10 each for basic wipes through to around $0.30-$1.50 each for sponge cloths and more for microfibre options. Sponges are typically priced between $0.30 and $1.50 each, while the ever-popular sponge scourer could set you back anywhere between $0.30 and $2.30 each. If you're shopping for a scourer, you can buy basic scourer pads for between $0.10 and $0.50 each, while stainless-steel and copper options are more expensive.
Consider the tasks you want to perform. Are you just looking for something to scrub dishes, or do you want a product that's equally at home washing dishes and wiping down your kitchen bench? Does the sponge or cloth need to be used on glassware or other delicate products without scratching?
Some products are also suitable for use in multiple areas of the home, such as wiping down bathroom surfaces as well as taking care of all your kitchen cleaning needs.
Look for a product that will still be going strong after multiple uses. You can check online reviews from other customers to gauge the durability of some products, but otherwise it's a matter of trial and error.
Some scrubbers and scourers come with an attached handle so you can clean without getting your hands dirty. This also provides extra grip if you need to scrub away tough, baked-on food. Other brushes and scourers have a handle to make it easy to reach those hard-to-clean areas of dishes and glassware.
If you're an eco-conscious buyer and you go through multiple packs of kitchen cleaning products each year, you may want to look for products that are biodegradable.
When choosing a sponge, look for a product that dries quickly to reduce the risk of mould.
The size and shape of the product not only affects how easily it can access tight spaces or the corners of dishes, but also how easy it is to grip. Thickness plays a part too, affecting manoeuvrability and feel when you're scrubbing dishes.
There are a few other factors you should consider before you start shopping:
| Total Score | Overall rating | Value for Money | Durability | Ease of use | Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotch-Brite | 8.22 | 4.50 | 4.18 | 4.28 | 4.64 | 4.52 |
| Vileda | 8.15 | 4.41 | 4.15 | 4.31 | 4.62 | 4.36 |
| Selleys | 8.10 | 4.40 | 4.20 | 4.20 | 4.40 | 4.40 |
| ALDI | 8.08 | 4.32 | 4.66 | 4.12 | 4.56 | 4.30 |
| Chux | 7.79 | 4.22 | 4.06 | 4.22 | 4.42 | 4.24 |
| Sabco | 7.76 | 4.23 | 3.82 | 4.00 | 4.55 | 4.27 |
| Coles | 7.68 | 4.10 | 4.26 | 3.92 | 4.60 | 4.18 |
| Black & Gold | 7.53 | 3.96 | 4.31 | 3.81 | 4.46 | 4.04 |
| Woolworths | 7.52 | 4.00 | 4.32 | 3.74 | 4.50 | 4.08 |
| Oates | 7.41 | 4.00 | 3.70 | 4.04 | 4.22 | 4.04 |
| Other | 8.28 | 4.50 | 4.45 | 4.30 | 4.55 | 4.65 |
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