Cleaning is never the most glamorous job, but it's one that has to be done. The humble sponge is a basic bit of kit that's versatility comes in very handy, making it a real essential for washing dishes and cleaning bathrooms alike.
Sponges might be small, but there is big competition out there thanks to the huge array of options. Some double up as scourers or offer antibacterial, germ-free cleaning, and others have handles to make scrubbing showers a breeze. Others are even eco-friendly and completely biodegradable! We've reviewed the best options and picked our 10 favourites from Amazon, Asda and more.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
Image | 1 ![]() E-Cloth | 2 ![]() Epically Eco | 3 ![]() Spontex | 4 ![]() Spotless | 5 ![]() EXGOX | 6 ![]() Flash | 7 ![]() Mr. Siga | 8 ![]() Lakeland | 9 ![]() Minky | 10 ![]() Dry Magic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Scrubbing Pads | 100% Biodegradable and Compostable Washing up Sponge | Thick Moppets | Antibacterial Microfibre Dual Action Scrubbing Sponge | Multipurpose Heavy Duty Scrubbing Brush With Handle | Magic Eraser Bathroom Scrubber | Dual Action Scrubbing Sponge | Dual Action Microfibre Cleaning Sponge | M Cloth Anti Bacterial Cleaning Pad | Lampshade Cleaner |
Features | A Winning Cloth That Doesn't Require Any Chemicals | Clean Your House With These Biodegradable and Compostable Cleaning Sponges | Extra-Thick Sponges for Big Spills | The Curved Shape of These Sponges Make Cleaning Easier | Sponge With A Handle That Makes It More Comfortable to Hold | This Eraser Sponge Works Its Magic With Just Water | A Variety of Options for Different Surfaces | Microfibre Gives This Sponge Added Absorbency | With Antibacterial Powers, This Sponge Will Help to Fight Germs | The Best Sponge for Cleaning Furniture |
Price | £4.99 | £8.99 | £1.50 | £10.99 | £6.99 | £3.99 | £8.50 | £5.99 | £2.45 | £10.50 |
Material(s) | Polyester, polyamide | Sisal and wood pulp | Cellulose | Microfibre | Polypropylene | Melamine foam | - | Microfibre | Microfibre, polyester | - |
Dry/Wet | Both | Wet | Wet | Both | Wet | Wet | Wet | Both | Both | Dry |
Texture(s) | Mesh pad | Sponge and scourer | Sponge | Sponge and scrub | Sponge and scrub | Sponge | Low, medium, high scrub levels | Sponge and scourer | Sponge and scrub | Sponge |
Suitable Surfaces | Multi | Dishes, pans, sinks | Multi | Multi | Kitchen, bathroom | Countertops, tabletops, floors, doors, walls, bathrooms | Dishes, kitchen, bathroom | Pans, kitchen | Multi | Lampshades, upholstery, TV screens, wallpaper |
Size | 8.3 x 1 x 5.3 cm | 11 x 7 x 2 cm | 16 x 12 cm | 15 x 9 x 2.5 cm | 18.6 x 12.5 x 7.8 cm | - | 17 x 10 x 2.3 cm | 16.5 x 11.9 x 8.1 cm | - | - |
Quantity | 2 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
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Most sponges are made from plastics like polyester, and even if the material isn't stated you can probably assume this is what it is. These are cost-effective, hard-wearing and normally come in fun bright colours. The downside to this material is that is made from plastic. This means that they do not biodegrade and, with sponges having such a short lifespan, you will be generating quite a lot of non-recyclable waste.
Browse the best mops in the UK that will leave your floors sparkling clean.
Microfibre is also not a biodegradable material, but its incredible capacity for absorbing liquids whilst not losing any of its structural integrity means these sponges will last. This makes these sponges a slightly more sustainable option than polyester. Microfibre, when used dry, is also great for buffing away smudges and ensuring a streak-free clean on shiny surfaces like mirrors, stainless steel hobs or glass surfaces.
Use a microfibre cloth with our favourite glass cleaners for a streak-free shine when cleaning glass surfaces.
If you are serious about going for an environmentally-friendly option, look for materials like cellulose and sisal. Similar to those used for bathroom bodycare products like sponges and loofahs, these natural materials are derived from plants, so once they've served their purpose as a sponge, they will biodegrade.
Some surfaces require a gentle touch when cleaning. Non-stick pans, for example, do not fare well when scrubbed within an inch of their lives. What is needed for these is a soft sponge, one that doesn't erode any coating.
There are other surfaces, though, that do need a good scrub once in a while. This is when it can be useful to have a sponge that has two or more texture options, with a different texture often appearing on each side. Popular designs include having a side for scrubbing or scouring which is made from a tougher fabric to get to the nitty-gritty.
Textures do have a large part to play in which sponges can be used on which surface, but they are not the only thing to think about. Some sponges are better suited to the kitchen, or perhaps specifically washing up. Others might work wonders in the bathroom, but fare less well when used on dirty dishes.
This being said, plenty of of sponges are what are known as multi-surface sponges, which pretty much do what they say on the tin. These sponges can go from scrubbing pots and pans to bathrooms with no issue, although do take hygiene into consideration if you are moving a sponge between the two.
To ensure that your dishwasher cleans your dishes and utensils completely, use an effective dishwasher tablet.
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Pack of 2
£4.99
Material(s) | Polyester, polyamide |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Both |
Texture(s) | Mesh pad |
Suitable Surfaces | Multi |
Size | 8.3 x 1 x 5.3 cm |
Quantity | 2 |
Pack of 6
£8.99
Material(s) | Sisal and wood pulp |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Wet |
Texture(s) | Sponge and scourer |
Suitable Surfaces | Dishes, pans, sinks |
Size | 11 x 7 x 2 cm |
Quantity | 6 |
Pack of 2
£1.50
Material(s) | Cellulose |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Wet |
Texture(s) | Sponge |
Suitable Surfaces | Multi |
Size | 16 x 12 cm |
Quantity | 2 |
Pack of 6
£10.99
Material(s) | Microfibre |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Both |
Texture(s) | Sponge and scrub |
Suitable Surfaces | Multi |
Size | 15 x 9 x 2.5 cm |
Quantity | 6 |
£6.99
Material(s) | Polypropylene |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Wet |
Texture(s) | Sponge and scrub |
Suitable Surfaces | Kitchen, bathroom |
Size | 18.6 x 12.5 x 7.8 cm |
Quantity | 1 |
Pack of 2
£3.99
Material(s) | Melamine foam |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Wet |
Texture(s) | Sponge |
Suitable Surfaces | Countertops, tabletops, floors, doors, walls, bathrooms |
Size | - |
Quantity | 2 |
Pack of 6
£8.50
Material(s) | - |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Wet |
Texture(s) | Low, medium, high scrub levels |
Suitable Surfaces | Dishes, kitchen, bathroom |
Size | 17 x 10 x 2.3 cm |
Quantity | 6 |
Pack of 4
£5.99
Material(s) | Microfibre |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Both |
Texture(s) | Sponge and scourer |
Suitable Surfaces | Pans, kitchen |
Size | 16.5 x 11.9 x 8.1 cm |
Quantity | 4 |
£2.45
Material(s) | Microfibre, polyester |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Both |
Texture(s) | Sponge and scrub |
Suitable Surfaces | Multi |
Size | - |
Quantity | 1 |
£10.50
Material(s) | - |
---|---|
Dry/Wet | Dry |
Texture(s) | Sponge |
Suitable Surfaces | Lampshades, upholstery, TV screens, wallpaper |
Size | - |
Quantity | 1 |
Written and researched by Emma Cramp
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