10 Best Kitchen Sponges that don’t Smell 2023

The kitchen sponge that does not smell is the first priority of every health-conscious person. A wet sponge lying on the counter is the favorite habitat for bacteria to grow rapidly and produces smell, mildew, and mold. Most of the sponges get smelly after a week and many people start microwaving or boiling the sponge which does not kill the bacteria. Sponge Material that dries quickly and absorbs less water is ideally hygienic and odor-free and antibacterial sponge. Sanitizing a sponge does not help you to get rid of 100 % smell-causing bacteria. So better to switch quickly to drying non-smelly hygienic sponges that you can replace once in a while without compromising on a budget.

Based on the criteria above we have concluded that polyester is the material that quickly dries as compare to other materials so is the reason, the sponges made of polyester do not stink. There is almost no bacteria growth in polyester. We have selected other material sponges that also showed odor-resistant properties at least for one week without sanitizing. So let’s discuss these top 10 dishcloths and kitchen sponges that don’t stink.

Top 11 Best Kitchen Sponges that don’t Smell 2023

1. O-Cedar Scrunge Multi-Use | Best long lasting Sponge that dont smell
   
2. Dish Scrubbie No Mildew Odor  Sponge| Best Polyester scrubber
3. SKURA STYLE S Antimicrobial Sponge| Best for counter cleaning
4. Peachy Clean Silicone Scrubber| Best for stainless steel pots
5. Scotch-Brite Greener Clean| Best natural sponge
6. Scrub Daddy Colors| Best foam sponge
7. The Crown Choice Scrubber| Best dishcloth
8. E-Cloth Microfiber| Best for wiping and polishing
9. Libman Gentle-Touch Refills| Best for pots and pans
10. Dish Scrubbie brush| Best for bottles and Mugs
11. Casabella Clear Sponge Brush| Best for glass and jars

O-Cedar Scrunge Sponge Review

Best Odor Resistant Sponges

The O-Cedar Scrunge Multi-Use scrubbing sponges are a versatile cleaning tool, made in the USA. They are designed to be gentle on hard surfaces and are safe for use on non-stick cookware without leaving behind any scratches. The scrubbing surface of the sponge effectively cleans various surfaces, including a stainless steel sink, and the sponge itself is holding together well with no signs of breaking down. The user has been using it for over a week and there have been no issues with color bleeding out. These sponges are great for cleaning and can also be used in bathrooms and for outdoor cleanups.

The O-Cedar Scrunge Multi-Use scrubbing sponges are a pack of 6 all-purpose scrubbers that can be used on a variety of hard surfaces. They are advertised as being non-scratch, odor-resistant, and safe for use in the kitchen and bathroom.

Dish Scrubbie No Mildew Odor  Sponge Review | Editor’s Choice

Best Kitchen scrubber that doesn’t smell

These fun-looking fruit shape scourers literally are the best sponge that does not get smelly for about a month without sanitizing. The reason for not getting stinky is the material used to make this dishcloth. These sponges are made of polyester which dries quickly. Bristles of polyester get hard in hot water and you can easily get rid of tough stains of pots and pans like cheese and dried egg yolk. While at normal temperature of water it is best to use for glasses, plates, bowls without scratches. You can even wash your tiles, buckets, sink, and washbasin with these Korean-style dishcloths but make sure to use a separate sponge for each use.

I like the loop in the Scourer to hang it on an adhesive hook to quickly air dry. You can wash these sponges in a dishwasher, washing machine, or manually.  A sponge does not hold food particles and a double layer of polyester gives it strength. That is why a sponge does hold its shape after even 2 to 3 months without mold, bacteria, and smell. Unlike sponges, The Dish Scrubbie does not shed or get soggy and lasts long.

Because of its double-layer, it absorbs more detergent liquid. To overcome this problem wet the sponge thoroughly then use dishwashing liquid. For more convenience, you can use these scrubbers with dish soap dispensers with a sponge holder. These sponges last more than  6 months. However, you should use sponges for only 2 months for dishwashing. After that,  you can set aside an old sponge for grease cleaning on the stove or sink wash and use a new one for dishwashing.

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SKURA STYLE S Antimicrobial Sponge Set of 4 Review

Best Sponge For counter and chopping board Cleaning

If you are really concerned about bacteria growth in your kitchen and want a neat, clean, and mold-free kitchen then SKURA  sponges are the product for you. I do not recommend this sponge for dishwashing. But It is great to clean the counter, shelves, and cooking range. As there is an antimicrobial agent  “PolySept” which contains antibiotics that do not leach out of foam coating and work within the foam to kill bacteria that a sponge catches during cleaning.

The foam base is made of polyurethane that acts as an anti-odor agent. There is a scrubbing layer coating on foam having a monogram of the company. The fading of the monogram lets you know that it is time to change the sponge and its antibacterial agent is expired now.

Foam is a good absorbent and does not leave water streaks after cleaning. I use this sponge specifically for counter and stove, dirt, and grease cleaning to ensure my kitchen remains bacteria and mold-free. There are 4 sponges with 4 decent colors and look great in a kitchen caddy.

Peachy Clean Silicone Scrubber Review

Best Silicone Sponge

As silicon is safe and naturally antibacterial material so this silicon-made sponge is an odor-resistant sponge that is made by the American company  Peach State. It has a porous surface, unlike a typical foam sponge. It is less absorbent of water and wide holes do the dishwashing efficiently. You can wash tough stains easily. When you use a peachy scrubber it leaves a mild peachy smell because peach extracts are mixed with silicon rubber during manufacturing the silicone scrubber. It is the same process just like soap making. So there is no fear of using chemical fragrances.

You can clean it by putting it in the dishwasher and it leaves a peachy smell after each wash. As it quickly dries it is unlikely to grow bacteria or mold in it. As they have less scrubbing power as compare to scotch brite it does not scrub or scratch stainless steel. I think it is the best sponge to wash silverware and stainless steel pots.

As there are large pores in Peachy silicon scrubber so you need to use more liquid to make leather. You can scrub the counter and stove with it but due to large holes, it does not absorb water from the surface so you need to wipe off water from a dish towel or an absorbing sponge. The life span of a Peachy sponge is 6 weeks on average. After 6 months it starts to shed off and the peachy smell goes out.

Scotch-Brite Greener Clean Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges Review

Best Cellulose sponge

This sponge is made of  77 % cellulose and reaming 23 % recycled office paper. There are two parts of the sponge: foam, which is biodegradable while the scrubber part does not decompose. The package comes with 6 sponges.

It has good scrubbing and washing power and absorbs water very well. There is no scent used in this sponge. Due to natural material, this sponge does not produce any odor. You can wash these sponges in the dishwasher. The sponge lasts for about 2 months which is a pretty good lifespan. It is a great dishwashing tool that offers value for money

There is a chemical Magnesium chloride used to keep it moisture-free. That chemical is harmful to fish and may irritate people having sensitive skin. If someone has a skin allergy then do not use these cellulose sponges.

Scrub Daddy Colors Review

Best Foam Sponge for dishwashing

Scrub Daddy is a temperature control sponge having dual scrubbing power which means you can use it for soft scrubbing on stoneware with warm water and tough scrubbing for pans and pots in cold water. Sponge daddy is a round shape sponge with a smiley face and 3 cutouts. The smiley cutout is supposed to clean the spoon and two eye hole cutouts are supposed to hold the sponge firmly while washing glasses and mugs. But these cutouts reduce the overall strength of the sponge and contribute to shed it fast.

As far as smell is concerned the scrub daddy sponge does not stink for about 3 weeks. Because these sponges quickly dry and do not hold mildew and mold. Due to its large size, it does not fit into a standard-size caddy. There is no loop with which you hang it. These sponges last for a maximum of about 6 months.

The Crown Choice Kitchen Scrubbing Sponge Review

Best Scrubbing Dishcloth without order

Crown Choice dish washcloth is also made of polyester and gets dry quickly. That is why it does not stink or grow mold or bacteria in it. It is a matter of choice because some people do not like soggy sponges filled with water. They prefer cotton cloths for dishwashing. If you use dishcloths then this product would be your ultimate choice. It shrinks after every use but does not shed like a sponge. Appropriate holes and 9 by 9 inches size is just perfect to hold it in hands.  It does not absorb water or detergent liquid like other sponges.

It is perfect for counter and shelf scrubbing and to get rid of tough stains. But you need to use a sponge to absorb and wipe off soapy water completely. Being a non-absorbent polyester, it is a good scrubbing tool but not a wiping cloth.  If you try to wipe the stove or counter area it will leave streaks of water because of large holes in the cloth.

Crown Choice  Dishcloth is easy to wash in a dishwasher or a washing machine.  Just put it on the drying rack after each wash and it would be ready to use again like new. But due to the polyester material, tough stains do not come off completely and it looks faded and old after each wash.  However, it does not tear or get de-shaped after washing.

E-Cloth Microfiber Home Cleaning Starter Pack Review

Best dish Cloth or Dishtowel for Counter and appliances cleaning

Don’t be surprised to see eCloth in the list of sponges. In my opinion, without having the best dishcloth in the kitchen your cleaning remains incomplete. It is impossible that you do dish-washing with your favorite non-smelly sponges but your sink, kitchen counter, stove, and kitchen shelves look greasy and dusty. For a neat, tidy, and bacteria-free kitchen an absorbing dishcloth is equally important as the sponges. E-cloth is my ultimate choice for cleaning and wiping to make any surface of the house look crystal clear without water streaks.

You will get 5 different types of microfiber cloths having different cleaning purposes. Each has a label on it so you do not get confused that which cloth is for what purpose. There are many things in the kitchen like fridge, microwave glass, oven glass, cabinets, and you can not do this job with a sponge. You need a dishcloth that cleans the surface neatly and leaves the glass sparkly.

The yellow and maroon color will do the kitchen job adequately and you can use the rest of the cloths for living area dusting and cleaning. I use these clothes daily to clean my counter and stove. These cloths are perfect for cleaning the marks of juices, oil, purees from the juicer, and blender machine. I love to use these clothes in my kitchen. The best thing about these clothes is that you do not need any liquid soap or detergent to clean the surface. The microfiber design of these cloth catches the dust, bacteria, and grease from the surface. These clothes are easy to clean and quickly get dry.

Libman Gentle-Touch Refills Review

Best Sponge refill

 

This 5 pack sponge refill is perfect for those who do not want to get their hands greasy or soapy while doing dishwashing. These refill-cut little sponges fit into any dish wand and you can easily wash non-stick pan or pots with these sponges. This pack offers great value for money. One of the sponges lasts more than 2 months if you specifically use it for pan or pots only. If you use it for grease cleaning of the stove then you need to change it more often.

These refill sponges are available at a very reasonable price that you do not hesitate to change the one which looks dirty or smelly.

Long Bottle Brush Cleaner Set Review

Best Sponge for  Baby Bottle & Water Bottles and Mugs

Dish Scrubbie 4 pcs brush set comprises of one bottle brush, one dish brush, and 2 straw cleaning brushes. Unlike conventional brushes, these brushes do not have nylon bristles that bend into the bottle and do not reach corners. Especially bottom remain untouched and milk or any leftover does not thoroughly get cleaned. The red brush is specially made to clean bottles, glasses, mugs, etc with ease. It has good scrubbing power. Because of polyester material they do not get smelly. You would not find any bacteria or mold build upon these brushes. Because there is no wire used to attach bristles these brushes do not get rusty as well.

The yellow one is the dish brush you can also use this brush to comparatively narrow bottles. But too much narrow-neck bottles like wine bottles do not fit the head of both brushes. Try some narrow head brushes for thin baby bottles or wine bottles. The straw cleaner is also good and works fine for every kind of straws cleaning.

Casabella Clear Sponge Brush Review

Best Sponge for Wine Glass, Jugs and Jars

Due to the narrow opening and the delicate design of wine glasses and jugs, there is always a chance that these pots may slip from your hand while washing with the slippery soapy sponge. Casabella Clear Sponge Brush is specially designed to use glass, jars, and jugs and their bottoms clearly. It is a colorful brush with different colors of sponges embedded in such a way that it strengthens the scrubbing power. You can wash Glass or bottle with 2 inches wide opening with an almost 13 inches long handle.

The brush is dishwasher safe and gets dry quickly. It does not get smelly and the price is reasonable. If you use it specifically for glass washing it will last long.  Do remember this brush is not for baby bottles however you can wash baby cups having an opening wider than 2 inches.

Frequently Asked Question

What makes kitchen sponges smell?

Water and food particles in a sponge produce Mold, Fungus, and  Bacteria (E. Coli, salmonella, and campylobacter) These microorganisms produce mildew and smell in a kitchen sponge.

What can I use instead of a sponge? 

You can use a dishcloth or scourer made of polyester instead of foam sponges. Foam sponges are most prone to grow bacteria and mold.  The foam traps water in it and contributes to producing foul smells and bacteria colonies inside the foam holes.

What is the cost of a quality sponge?

Sponges come in different materials so the cost varies accordingly. The price range varies between $3 to $25 based on the reputation of the brand, material, quality, and anti-odor property.

What material is best for a sponge?

There are many materials used to make sponges like polyester, net, silicon, foam, cellulose, etc. In my opinion, polyester is the best material for sponges because it does not get mold, bacteria. Polyester sponges quickly get dry and do not stink like foam and these sponges last longer as compared to other material sponges.

Does drying a sponge kill bacteria?

Yes. Drying sponges restricts bacteria and mold growth. It is better to dry sponges in sunlight instead of in the microwave.  For better drying, hang the scourer so that excess water drains quickly.

How often should I change the sponge?

First of all, keep two sponges for your kitchen one for dishwashing and the other one ( sponge or dish towel or dishcloth) for counter cleaning. Do not use the same sponge for dishwashing and counter cleaning to avoid E. coli and salmonella contamination. Whenever you go for monthly grocery grab a sponge for dishwashing. You must change a dishwashing sponge maximum after two months while you can change the sponge after 3  to 4 months that you use for counter cleaning. Keep dishwashing sponge and counter cleaning sponges separately in a stainless steel sponge holder to avoid exchanging germs or bacteria that let sponges air dry quickly.

Is it OK to microwave a sponge?

Scientific research shows that microwaving a sponge does not help in killing bacteria at all. Rather it provides a suitable temperature to grow Moraxella osloensis (a Bacteria) more rapidly.

How to organize sponges in the kitchen?

Organize your sponges in a sponge holder or in a sink caddy to let them quickly air dry.  Wet sponges lying on a counter get stinky and bacteria grow rapidly and make dishwashing more unpleasant. Do not put them in a basket or enclosed area or under the sink.

How to prevent dish sponge from smelling?

Vinegar is a good disinfectant. Rather than microwaving or boiling a sponge soak a sponge once a week in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda for an hour, thoroughly wash a sponge and replace that sponge with a new one after 2 months.  For daily cleaning simply wash the sponge manually or in a dishwasher.

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