We always used a sponge as I was growing up, so that's what I use now but I've been thinking about switching to something else because the sponges get so icky. I really don't mind doing dishes to be honest, so I can't wait to see what other methods people say they use so I can get some ideas!

My mother always used a Dobie pad--a sponge inside a plastic mesh. The sponge holds the water and the soap, and the plastic mesh scrubs without scratching. They last a few months before they get too gross or torn. My local grocery store has stopped carrying them recently, though, so I tried a few other unsatisfactory things (including one that's a sponge with plastic mesh on only one side). Now I see they're introducing their own brand of the Dobie pad. I just bought one last night, so I'll see how it goes. I may have to stock up on the real thing when I go to other stores.

I prefer the sponge mostly because sterilizing is quicker: 1 min in the microwave for the sponge, vs. a wash-and-dry cycle for the dishcloth. There's also the satisfaction of actually picking up all the spilled liquid with a sponge, instead of feeling like I'm just spreading it around with a dishcloth.

I do dishes with sponges, but I use dishclothes all the time-- to dry clean things (my hands, dishes, just-washed fruits) and to wipe up spills mostly.

i use a sponge - but would rather have a dishwasher! (ha! wouldn't everyone!!) but seriously, i don't like the sponge because it seems to get gross very often and once the green stuff on it is gone, you have to throw it away. i've used the thing that joan was talking about at another person's house and liked it, but it really just all seems wasteful because we have to throw them away. i just can't seem to get past that. i try my hardest to make a sponge last a month, but the bf is one of those skinny 6'4 145lb (yeah ways the same as i do!!!!!) garbage disposal so i spend at least an hour washing dishes everyday. oy.

I use a sponge to do dishes. At the end of the process I just make sure that they are completely rinsed and let them dry. There is no mess. I change them quite often thou, if it gets cut or starts to look ugly - out it goes. The counters I clean with solution and paper towels, although I feel it is a waste. I don't know why, but NEVER grew fond of dishcloths.

I'm a sponge gal all the way. I like the sponges with a scrubby side for getting tough food off my pots and pans. I always make sure it's rinsed and allowed to dry, and is replaced every month.

I use a sponge, but grew up using dishcloths. I like the scrubby side of the sponge better than using a separate green scrubby, like my mom did. I have become very picky about sponge choice, though--I like the ones with concave sides, not too large. They have fairly cute patterns (stripes, polka dots) on them, but I don't know the brand. They last a lot longer than the regular rectangular ones.

The "how I grew up doing dishes" thing for me is using a dishpan. My husband had never used soapy water to do dishes; his family put soap on the sponge and washed under running water. He was amazed by how much better the double-sink system works!

Apparently dishcloths should be washed every day, because of the bacteria that hides in them--who knew? I just don't pay enough attention to them for that. I did grow up using them for wiping down counters, but I know they weren't changed every day, though my mother was the cleanest person I knew. Now I, too, use paper towels and spray, even though it is a waste. I do use the really small paper towels.

Also, about the Dobie pads and their knockoffs--there's a version that has a different kind of plastic mesh, kind of fuzzy or hairy looking, which comes in much better colors than the original kind, but I've found that food, etc. gets stuck in them very quickly, and doesn't rinse out. Quite disgusting.

I use a sponge for washing dishes, but a dish towel for everything else. No paper towels/napkins in my kitchen.

I use sponges for all my handwash and then they go on the top shelf in the dishwasher when I'm done and get washed with the dishes. They don't get icky, I usually get rid of them when they start wearing out. I use scotch brite pad types, so the yellow and green are for non-kitchen use and the blue ones are for countertops, dishes, microwave cleaning type use.

I toss my sponges in the laundry a couple of times a week, to de-germify them. And replace them with new ones every couple of months, just like my toofbrush.

I grew up using and still use a dish brush. I just can't stand the smell the sponge leaves on everything, including my hands.

I use dish cloths and change them at least once a day, but usually more often. They go in the wash with everything else and it is no trouble. I grew up using sponges, but they seem repellent to me now; they always smell and even after a tour through the dishwasher or microwave they are bacterial sinks.

I also use sponges for dishes now, but grew up using a dishcloth. We always filled up the sink with hot soapy water to do dishes and then hung the wet dishrag over the faucet to dry when we were done.
Don't really know when or why I started buying sponges, but maybe because I feel that the dishrags are too big and slop water all over when washing...

Microfiber dishcloth- we bought a big pack at Cost-co, so they're changes out 1x day. The microfiber is also very absorbent for spills.

Can't you also microwave sponges to sterilize them?

Dishcloths. Love them. I like that I can take out a new one every time I do the dishes, so it always seems much cleaner than using a much-used sponge.

And having a big supply of clean dishcloths around is extremely useful...they come in handy for a variety of different jobs.

Eew and eew-er. Dish brushes all the way.

Wow! I can't believe the number of sponge users. Most of my friends and family use dishcloths. In my family, we used washable cloth everything. Cloth diapers, cloth napkins etc. My mom was pretty frugal, she figured it was cheaper to buy something once and wash it than to buy something over and over.
My favorite dishcloths are made from 100% wood fibers. They don't smell, and wash up so soft. They are sold under a variety of name brands, I buy mine at the dollar store.

Dish brush, and hot, soapy water for dishes. Hot enough that it isn't comfortable to stick your hands in without gloves.

A dish cloth for counters and tables, wrung out periodically in hot soapy water. We have a lot of dish cloths, I've never had to do laundry because we're out of dish cloths.

Unless something dramatic has changed about microwaves in the last ten years while I wasn't looking, you can't sterilize anything in them. I'd love to know differently, though.

i use a scrubbie thing (bristles, rubber grip, soap reservoir) that a bleach/replace regularly. i used to use washcloths, but they gross me out.

My major discovery in the past year or so is that sponges start smelling ick much more quickly when I used cheap store-brand dishwashing soap. Nicer stuff (e.g., Trader Joe's brand) keeps the sponge from getting so gross so quickly.

Dishes get the sponge and countertops and spills get the washable dishcloth. Just vigilant about rinsing and letting the sponge dry in its holder after use. One scrubbie brush is just for the dog's dish.

Scrub sponge on a stick is how I roll.

anyone try chef towels? great for the absorbtion and reuse.use on countertops and appliances...love the OXO Soap filled dish brush for dishes.

http://www.utilitieshome.com/store.php?crn=99&rn=627&action=show_detail

Currently I use sponges, although my preference is for dishcloths. Not having a washing machine at home, I have a hard time letting the dishcloths sit in a pile for a week or two before getting to the laundromat. When I have a washing machine again it is dishcloths all the way. I will also be able to stop using paper towels for cleaning when I have a washing machine again for the same reasons! I have lots of rags, they work really well, but hate letting them sit around till I get to the laundromat.

I use a dish brush that can be easily disinfected. Sponges and cloths are too germy- especially sponges!

i love wet soapy dishcloths

Sponge user here. Addicted to the green scrubby side. At the end of the week, I use it to deep clean the kitchen, all surfaces, then floor, and then I toss it. Sponges have a limited shelf-life, and the reason they're gross is because people keep them far too long.

Micro-fibre cloths for sure! As far as cleaning effectiveness they blow sponges and brushes out of the water. It's not even a contest. They absorb very well. After wiping the counter with one it will be dry within one minute. They make your dishes squeaky clean without damaging them. Just make sure you change them fairly often and wring them out and hang them up between uses. A good sign that bacteria is growing is the odour.
Sponges fall apart after awhile. Cloths last for years.
Brushes simply scratch plastic, enamel, and chromed items. They are also useless at removing greasy film without near-boiling water and large amounts of soap.
IMHO

you could try SCRUBR. cleans great and doesn't get smelly. here is an interesting review, http://gearjunkie.com/camping-dish-cleaner-cloth

I have tried so many. Sponges, dishcloths, the sponges that hold soap in the handle, all of them got too gross over time. What I use now is a strong yet flexible brush (kinda looks like a toilet brush, but it fits in cups). It is easy to clean and scrubs off even tough messes =D.

what dishpanhands said ... cannot imagine using a cellulose sponge to wash dishes day after day with so many tiny nooks & crannies for food & drink to potentially reside (yep, that was a run-onnnnn sentence ;-)). I use dishcloths, switch them out daily & wash them with other kitchen linens in a separate load weekly. My dishwashing is limited to pots, pans & ceramic or clay bakeware since my dishwasher does dishes & glasses. Love plastic and stainless steel mesh scouring pads, baking soda and the flat scraper are master tools for dislodging baked-on food before cleansing them with dishcloth.