An estimated 400 million plastic sponges are thrown away each year in the United States. They contribute to a significant amount of plastic waste due to their non biodegradable nature.
Microplastics, non biodegradable matter, & chemicals are the 3 major points of concern when using plastic sponges that lead to significant issues in our environment & human health.
Check out our ECO SPONGE BOX HERE: https://loveofearthco.com/products/eco-sponges-box
Here are 5 zero waste alternatives to plastic dish sponges for you to choose from:
Pot Scrubber: made from Mexican agave sisal which provides a beautiful, non invasive clean to ALL of your dishes
Pot Scrubber (heavy duty): for your more “stuck on” food leftovers. Made from the older Mexican agave sisal plants which provide a very durable bristle to clean your most difficult grease & grime build up
Wooden Scrub Brush: very similar to the scrub brush BUT has a long neck allowing you to get into deeper dishes like: cups, pots, blenders, reusable water bottles, etc. comes with a replaceable head so you can sustainable swap out the bristles when that time comes
Bottle Brush: made from the hairs of a mature coconut, these bottle brushes are a glorious help when cleaning: water bottles, baby bottles, blender cups, reusable water bottles, etc. The coconut bristles provide durability helping to clean up the most stuck on grime
Loofah Sponge: sharing the closest appearance to your standard plastic dish sponge, these seem to be the most popular for your average person. Made from the loofah plant, these loofah sponges provide a solid cleaning of all dishes & come with a cotton cord so you can easily store in between washes
How long do they last? It has been recommended for wooden scrub brushes to be swapped out every 6 months. Although, this timeframe does depend on how often you're using the brushes & the wear & tear they endure. With my experience, I've been able to keep mine for 12 months with regular cleaning & proper storage.
How do I store them in between washes? Each of the Love of Earth Co., wooden brushes & loofah sponges come with a jute OR cotton cord so you may hang them up to dry in between washes. Now, if you dont have the ability to hang dry them, you can do what i do which is place them on a soap dish tray OR in an antique tray with an open bottom so the brushes can drip dry. The key to upkeep the brushes is to allow them to dry out. More than anything this is the most important step.
How do I clean them? As time permits in your busy life, around every 2-4 weeks allow your brushes & loofah to soak in a warm vinegar & baking soda bath for approximately 30 mins to kill bacteria & then hang dry. If you'd like to polish your brushes after cleaning is take some coconut oil or olive oil & rub all wooden areas of your brush until polished.
Are the compostable? Yes! All of our wooden scrub brushes & loofahs are backyard compostable &/or biodegradable if you do not have access to composting. For either option, pluck all bristles out of the brush heads & compost separately so every particle can dry & break down without causing mold.
Are they affordable? It has been recommended that plastic sponges should be swapped out every 2-3 weeks. 1 pack of 6 sponges will cost you around $7.15 after tax. That pack of 6 will last you 18 weeks if you properly dispose of the brushes at the 3 month mark. You will have to buy 3 packs to get you through the year costing you: $21.45 for the year. On the contrary you can buy 1 scrub brush to last you an entire year on the Love of Earth Co., website for $10 + shipping handling for $7.50 (unless your order totals over $75 for free shipping). That's $3.95 in savings picking the zero waste option
Check out our ECO SPONGE BOX HERE: https://loveofearthco.com/products/eco-sponges-box
Thank you for reading & learning with us! Here is a special discount code to get 10% off anything from the "KITCHEN" section on our website! USE CODE: "ECOKITCHEN"
