Category: Reviews

My Experience with Greener Clean Sponges

Scotch-Rite, a 3M company, debuted these in 2009 as a part of the Greener Clean series. Around May 1st, 2011 I ordered my first 24 Scotch-Brite Greener Clean Natural Fiber Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge. 141 sponges later I haven’t looked back since, well until now, since I’m writing this review.

For many years, these sponges seemed to be the best option available via Amazon.  While some other companies have brought to market sponges that are 100% plant-based, many options seemed more expensive (depending on one’s metrics).

Buy the Greener Clean Natural Fiber Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge on Amazon.(Please note, BigBlueWaves is an Amazon Affiliate)

Greener Clean Works Well, not 100% ‘Green’

The Green Clean Sponges deliver on their promise.  They clean well, and they are greener, though not 100% ‘green’.  The sponge is 100% plant-based, while the attached scrubbing pad is 50% agave plant fiber and (presumably) 50% synthetic materials. While I can’t be for certain, they don’t seem to contain any dyes, having a ‘natural’-color.

These sponges function just as well as ‘normal’, synthetic sponges.  While I haven’t done any A/B testing with these more natural-fiber sponges versus synthetic-fiber sponges, the dishes seem very clean, thank you very much.

I pair the Greener Clean sponges with 7th Generation’s dish soap and filtered water for cleaning and scrubbing pots, pans, and dishware.  If I need to clean something else, like the bathroom countertop, I’ll keep one handy, as well.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The sponge section uses 100% plant-based materials (including 23% recycled paper). Depending on your viewpoint, this may or may not be good.
• The scrub section has 50% of its fibers from the agave plant.  (The other 50% are made from synthetic materials most likely, though the manufacturer doesn’t specifically say so)
• They are marketed as non-scratch.  I haven’t personally seen any scratches from using them with a variety of materials.
• Basically the same price as ‘normal’ sponges (as of this writing). They were more expensive when they first came out, but now they’re a little bit cheaper, it seems.

Cons

• The probably don’t last quite as long as synthetic sponges, but they still hold together for a good while.
• Some reviewers do complain that their sponges don’t last very long. In the 7 years that I’ve used this product, they have been consistently good.  Usually, they get too dirty, and I’ll throw them away before they start falling apart.  (I haven’t tried boiling or dishwashing them, though) I’ve microwaved them, but that does seem to make them fall apart a little bit
• According to the manufacturer (3M), you should throw these away.  They aren’t biodegradable (probably due to the plastic in the scrubbing pad).  There’s another version that’s just the sponge, and that is biodegradable.
• Not 100% ‘natural’ (but definitely a good step in the right direction by a major manufacturer). If you want 100% natural, you can get the same sponge, but without the scrubbing pad.

Specifications

How to Clean the Sponges

When taking these out of the plastic wrapping, I’ll usually rinse and squeeze them out for about 30 seconds.  There does seem to be some sort of bubblyish substance in the new sponges, though I have no knowledge of what this is.

According to 3M (via Amazon Questions), the official way to clean older sponges is:

1. In boiling water for 3-5 minutes.
2. In a dishwasher on the top rack – set the cycle to normal.
3. They do not recommend microwaving these sponges.

Conclusion

I would recommend these to most people.

If you’re not interested in more ‘natural’ products, then these greener cleaners may not hold much appeal.

But, if you want a balance between green-form and normal-function (and price), then I would suggest you try out Scotch-Brite’s Greener Clean Natural Fiber Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge.

Buy on Amazon

• • Greener Clean, 24 Sponges (8 packs of 3)
  • Greener Clean, 6 Sponges
  • Green Clean, 2 Sponges

Alternative Products

If you’re looking for something 100% plant-based, you might want to check out .  I haven’t personally tried them – yet.

While writing this review, I came across another promising plant-based scrubbing sponge. Two actually, and by the same company, Twist.  One seemed very expensive.

The other is about the same price as any other sponge, so I just placed an order. Hopefully, they work well, and I’ll be writing a favorable review of these some time this fall!

• The Twist Scrub Sponges- 6 Count (Check them out on Amazon)
• Twist Bio-Scour Pads – 12 Pack (on Amazon)

D.I.Y. Sponges (Caveat Emptor)

1. Grow your own Loofah Sponges!
2. Maybe some old, clean, torn-up clothing rags?

Best wishes!