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Friday Favorite: Twist Sponges

March 23rd, 2012

Since I’ve been working on writing up the posts for the non-toxic cleaning series, cleaning has been on my mind, when I’m not working outside of course. My friday favorite this week had to be one of my all time favorite cleaning tools: Twist Sponges.

Why do I love Twist Sponges? First, they’re made from natural materials! The sponge side is made with unbleached, undyed white cellulose and the loofah side is, well loofah. I bought these on a whim once when I was at the health food store and fell in love. Second, they’re compostable! When the sponge is getting a little ragged around the edges, into the compost bowl on the counter it goes. Thirdly, my most favorite reason, they never get that kitchen sponge smell. You know exactly what I’m talking about, that weird smell that kitchen sponges get after only a few days of use, the one that never goes away no matter what you do, the one that clings to your hands for hours afterwards. That never with these sponges. Why? I have no idea, but I’m guessing that the natural materials inhibit molds and bacteria unlike their synthetic counterparts.

I cannot recommend the Twist products more highly, my favorite is the Loofah Sponge for scrubbing the dishes. I also have a Heavy Duty Agave Scrubber that I use on the shower stall, and a Euro Sponge and Loofah Sponge for cleaning the bathrooms. I just got some of their heavy duty scouring pads and they’re great for scrubbing the toilet and other tough chores.

Any great cleaning tools you’d like to recommend?

NON-TOXIC CLEANING SERIES
Stocking Your Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit
Learning to Love Castile Soap
Make Your Own: Foaming Soap
Make Your Own: Infused Vinegar
Make Your Own: Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Make Your Own: Color Safe Oxygen Bleach
Friday Favorite: Charlie’s Soap
Friday Favorite: Twist Sponges
and more to come

9 Comments to “Friday Favorite: Twist Sponges”
  1. Jennifer Fisk on March 23, 2012 at 7:43 am

    My favorite tool is a used toothbrush either standard or electric. An electric toothbrush with an old head is great for cleaning grout.

    Reply to Jennifer Fisk's comment

    • Susy on March 23, 2012 at 9:22 am

      I was just thinking how great that would be the other day when I was water flossing. I too save all the old toothbrushes for all kinds of cleaning & other household chores. You certainly can’t beat them for scrubbing the tiny nooks that need cleaned throughout the year!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  2. Whit on March 23, 2012 at 11:03 am

    This may be rather plain jane, but i am in love with stacks of plain ol’ dishrags. They wipe up spills, dust, mop floors, you name it. Of course, having them be a different colour than the washclothes for bathing is nice, but to be thrifty, cut up old towels would be just fine too.

    I must have a bazillion of them…and hardly use paper towels for anything anymore.

    Love the Twist scouring pads–i’ve only seen the sponges at our local health food store. Thanks for the tip…can’t wait for the cleaning series!!
    Whit

    Reply to Whit's comment

    • Susy on March 23, 2012 at 1:15 pm

      I agree – I love having real rags around and have quite a stack to get me through about 2 weeks worth of spills. Their first phase in life is usually kitchen duty, when they get a bit tattered the move on to other bathroom cleanup duty.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  3. KimH on March 23, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    We have a huge amount of cloth towels as well. I got mine in the automotive section of Costcos or BJs. Back when, they were something like 25 or 30 for about $12. When the first ones started getting icky, I bought another bag and they’ve lasted us years. We use them for everthing, including napkins.

    I never did get into the sponge & wet dishrag way of cleaning my dishes. My mom used a bottle type brush & stainless steel scrubbers and thats what I do too.

    No great cleaning tools here just the boring ol stuff. ;)

    Reply to KimH's comment

  4. Jodiana on March 25, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    I am addicted to using a sponge in the kitchen for everything. Usually they don’t last long b/c i can’t stand the smell…then to the bathroom cleaning for them. I was picking up dish soap and found these after your post! I am excited to try them…..no smell…..we shall see :) I like the fact that I can compost it too!

    Reply to Jodiana's comment

    • Susy on March 26, 2012 at 9:18 am

      I’m the same way, I’ve tried other things but really just prefer using a scrubber sponge for dishes (and I do all my dishes by hand). You’re going to LOVE these, really, I’m serious!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  5. Stone Soup on March 26, 2012 at 7:24 am

    Ewww I have a sponge issue myself! And this might be my long awaited solution. I am waiting impatiently to try these! Thanks for the suggestion. I use sponges because my mom did, but have struggled with the sponge smell. I have tried sticking them in the dishwasher, but the smell is still there, just changed a little! I figure that smell cannot be good! lol

    Reply to Stone Soup's comment

    • Susy on March 26, 2012 at 9:17 am

      You’re going to be amazed – seriously NO SPONGE SMELL!

      Reply to Susy's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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