How to Make Your Own Pot Scrubbers
Making Dishrags and Environmentally Safe Sponges
Television bombards us with ads to buy new, polyvinyl kitchen sponges, or synthetic materials that are said to include “micro-fibres”. Where do they end up once they look worn, or used up? They can’t be recycled, so…they wind up in a landfill.
Natural Fibre Dish Rags or Loofa Sponges: Cheaper in the Long Run
Part of simple living means using the resources you already have. Everyone has some rags hiding in their basement, or an old, torn shirt they don’t know what to do with. If you tear that old shirt into easy-to-handle dishrag sizes (think of the size of a facecloth), you are saving the shirt from going to the trash, and you’re saving yourself the cost of several sponges.
How Environmentally Safe Dish Rags and Kitchen Sponges Save You Money
Synthetic sponges have a lifetime of a few months, then, they get either so clogged with dirt, or so worn down they are un-usable. Many people don’t like the look of dish rags, since they look so droopy and bland; dare we say, even raggedy? However, you have the advantage of being able to throw your dishrag in the washing machine once it looks truly disturbing.
Once a synthetic kitchen sponge is used up, they're usually just thrown out, and a new package is opened to start again with a new one. Some may argue that it’s only a dollar for a pack of six or more, but it all adds up. That same dish rag – as long as it’s washed regularly – can be used for well over a year.
Dish Rag Alternatives: Loofa, Sisal Brush or Re-Used Onion Mesh Bag
For those that like a grittier texture to get sticky or baked on foods off the surface, I’d recommend buying a Loofa Sponge, or a sisal brush – the kind without a plastic handle or wire support.
What’s a Loofa?
The loofa sponge is sometimes called the Lufah; It's the dried out flesh of the Ridged Gourd. Once your used up loofa sponge is worn out, you can compost it. When it starts getting grimy, you can also wash it, and boil it for at least three minutes in either boiling water, or in your microwave to deter bacteria growth. Stores sell them as long, large batons, which you can cut into hand-sized sponges; the average loofa ranges in price depending on its length, and where you are buying them.
While most North Americans associate the loofa as a bathtub luxury for exfoliating your skin, or scrubbing you back, it has uses as a regular sponge, too. In fact, in some Asian communities, they are referred to as “kitchen sponges”, since the rough texture helps scrape without damaging the surface of most pots.
A New Life for the Mesh Bag
Some stores still sell onions and potatoes in plastic mesh bags: you can remove the tag or label if there is one, bunch it up, and use it as you would us a mesh “scrubby”. This is not bio-degradable, but it will save you some money from buying your own, and only delays it’s eventual destination to the landfill.
Sisal or Hemp Twine Rags
Sisal is a natural rough fibre made from a cactus-like plant found in the tropical regions, like Florida, Brazil and the Caribbean Islands. You can find it in hardware stores as twine or rope; if you are especially crafty, you can crochet yourself a sisal dish rag. It can be composted once its use has been worn out. Some stores sell sisal brushes for your face; The Body Shop sells both Sisal Wash Cloths and Cactus Scrub Mitts, either one would work well on your dishes. It’s not as cost effective as either the loofa or the dishrag, but you’d feel better knowing that it is biodegradable.
These are all options to get you thinking about fun, easy ways to keep plastic out of your home, save some money and of course, the planet. Out of all of the previously discussed options, we’ve broken down the choices into First, Second and Third Place choices.
The Best Option for Environmentally Safe and Frugal Sponges Are….
- Dishrags. The best option, being both frugal and environmentally safe if made of unbleached cotton, hemp or any other biodegradable material.
- Loofas. The second best would be loofas, which are not as cost effective, but are long lasting and have extra texture for stain removal.
- Reusing vegetable mesh bags as “scrubbies”. While it’s a frugal option, it still means it’s plastic and non-recoverable.
If you can think of a way that you’ve prevented polyvinyl or plastic from use in your home, we’d love to hear to your opinions and tips!
You don't have to create waste to get clean
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