Compostable kitchen sponges? This question comes from Sara, who also came up with a great answer!
I go through my sponges so frequently and it seems a really terrible waste to throw them in my landfill trash when sponges can be made naturally. I appeal to you, please, I can't find any sponges that are made of natural ingredients so I can compost them! Help! I can't bear to throw away another!
Or, any other green alternatives? Sponges that are at least made sustainably? Last a long time?
Thanks, Sara
I had written in about compostable kitchen sponges and after searching around here I think I have a good enough answer. I think that Trader Joe's cellulose sponges, since they're 100% vegetable, can be composted. They don't scrub which is unfortunate, but if soaking the dishes enough doesn't work then I'm thinking I could use baking soda or maybe get a dishrag.
If you know of any vegetable scrubbing pads or sponges that would be great; I would think making them out of corn would be really easy (because of corn plastic).
Great question (and answer!) Sara. Here are a couple links to scrubbing pads that are environmentally friendly.
• Try using a washable scrub brush instead of scrubbing pads. This Brush Head is $7.50 at biome. Here's a stainless steel version for $12.50 at Chef's Catalog.
• Handmade in Paraguay from organic materials, these Vegetable Organic Loofahs may also be just what you need. $20 for a set of four at Green Apple Kitchen.
Any more suggestions for Sara?
if you knit/crochet or know someone who does, knitted dishcloths are great. they last forever (i am still using several that i made over five years ago), can be cleaned/sanitized by throwing them in the washing machine, and work very well for dishes and general housecleaning. plus, a ball of cotton dishcloth yarn will only set you back about $3 and produce several scrubbies.
view hbl's profile
dish cloths last years.
view damova's profile
My Food Coop just got scrubbing sponges made with loofah on one side. They are a marvel of engaging modern packaging too (the cardboard folds into a bird feeder, and is a fetching shade of olive.)
The sponges are (mercifully) not shaped like vegetables.
view guido's profile
There was a post about a "paper towel alternative" a while back on one of the AT sites. The product they recommend is actually more like a sponge than a paper towel. I can't remember what they're called, but you can find them at Whole Foods for only $2 for 3 of them. They can be sanitized in the dishwasher until you feel they've lived a long enough life.
Then they're biodegradable!
view Zenbot's profile
I use a microfiber cloth that i got from Target i think it has a scrubby side and i wash it to get it all clean again. It works perfect.
view Kim's profile
Cellulose sponges are biodegradable, I believe.
Funny, my sister-in-law gave me one of those tomato shaped scrubbies and it didn't click with me until this moment to actually use it on the dishes.
view Eliza's profile
Microfiber cloths are amazing and versatile... They dry dishes, wash dishes, wash surfaces-- and, when moistened, they take lint off of dark clothes like a charm. (But don't try to use the same cloth for all these things without putting in the washer in between)
Also, try crocheting basic little doily-style cloths about 3 or 4" big because most commercially available microfiber cloths are too big to reasonably wash dishes with. Use acrylic yarn. This will behave similarly to microfiber.
view fugitiverouge's profile
Sara here, everyone keeps talking about dishcloths but don't elaborate on how well they work. Can they scrub? Or are they more like sponges? I'd rather not use a dishcloth because there's no way to dispose of them other than landfill, but I'd like to know more.
view Scazza's profile
I just saw over at delight.com that they're offering a biodegradable sponge set:
http://www.delight.com/Clean-Green-Twist-Clean-Up-Set
Pricey but cute.
view Matcha's profile