JUST in time for spring cleaning, The US Sun tracked down the best sponge.
Having a good sponge is a make or break for a clean kitchen and after our test you might switch brands.
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Whether you’re scrubbing pots and pans or your countertop, a sponge needs to withstand hard work.
We decided to focus on effectiveness, absorption and value for the latest installment of our Bang For Your Buck series.
To see how effective the sponges were, we used a pump of soap and scrubbed a spot on the counter.
To test how absorbent the sponges were, we filled a dish with a cup of water and measured how much was left after the sponge was completely submerged.
The brands we tested were Scrub Daddy, Scotch-Brite, Walmart’s Great Value brand, and Scrub Buddies, Dollar Tree’s brand.
Each category was scored from one to ten, making 30 the highest possible score.
Below we’ve ranked the sponges from worst to best.
4. SCRUB BUDDIES
- Price: $1.25
- Total score: 16 out of 30
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This sponge was extremely absorbent, but not much else.
It felt very flimsy as soon as it came out of the package and only got softer and less effective when wet.
The sponge was thicker than Scotch Brite’s, which was the thinnest, but didn’t clean nearly as well.
3. SCOTCH BRITE
- Price: $6.19
- Total score: 19 out of 30
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Almost all of the water stayed in the cup when we tested how absorbent the Scotch-Brite sponge was.
It was the thinnest of the bunch, but it had a stiff and sturdy scouring pad that could cut through dirt.
At $6.19 for a six-pack, that’s a good deal too.
2. SCRUB DADDY
- Price: $3.89
- Total score: 21 out of 30
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We know this is shocking, but the Scrub Daddy barely absorbed any water.
It was also the most expensive sponge, priced at $3.89.
However, it was incredible when scrubbing. One of its most impressive features is that it stays hard in cold water for stubborn dirt and softens in hot water for delicate glasses.
1. THE GREAT VALUE OF WALMART
- Price: $2.18
- Total score: 26 out of 30
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Walmart’s signature brand took first place in this challenge.
It was extremely absorbent and thick, making it perfect for scrubbing a sink full of dishes.
Plus, $2.18 for a pack of four is a lot, making each sponge cost just over 50 cents and the least expensive option.
FINAL THOUGHTS
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If you’re just hoping to get a good scrub and not soak up any spills, the Scrub Daddy is probably your best bet if you’re okay with the price.
The best value was Walmart’s Great Value brand, and luckily it was also the best performer.
In terms of absorbency, you should definitely pick up a pack of Scrub Buddies if you’re planning a messy project that could involve spills.
Once you’ve found the perfect sponge, check out our recommendation for the best dish soap.
Or you can ditch the dishes altogether and switch to our pick for the best paper plate.