Keeping your kitchen clean and shiny is an important part of maintaining a healthy and hygienic home. While there are many cleaning tools that you can find in stores, one of the most essential items to have is a good scrubber to get all sorts of jobs done.

Dish brushes, specifically those natural ones, have emerged as a popular and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic ones. These brushes are made from sustainable and biodegradable materials, making them a great choice for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. 

In this blog, we'll explore the different types of natural dish brushes, the benefits they offer over traditional sponges, and how to clean and care for them. By the end, you'll be armed with the knowledge to choose the right one and keep your dishes and kitchen looking their best, while also doing your part for the planet.

Summary:

• Types of dish brushes
• Benefits of using dishwashing brushes over a sponge
• Tips for how to clean a dish brush and keep them in shape
• Work smarter, not harder

Types of dish brushes

Dish brushes come in many different shapes and sizes, each designed to fit into specific tasks and their own benefits. When it comes to brushes in the past, the most common types you’ve seen are those plastic bristle brushes, sponge brushes and silicone.

But more so now, we’re seeing more and more made from natural materials. Some from sustainably sourced bamboo, while others use coconut fibers or even loofah. These materials are all renewable and biodegradable, making them a great eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dishwashing tools. Not to mention that they’ve been shown to be the more hygienic option.

Bamboo brushes are one of the most popular types of natural dish brushes. They are made from bamboo, a fast-growing and renewable material. Compared to other wooden brushes, you’ll find these to be much more durable as they are quick to dry and don’t nearly as much as those ones would. 

Bamboo is sturdy and effective at scrubbing all kinds of dishes, pots, and pans, making them a great choice for everyday use. With the different sizes and shapes, including one that even have replaceable heads, they can be much more hygienic and convenient than others.

Coconut fiber brushes are another popular type of natural dish brush. They are made from the fibers of coconut husks, which are a byproduct of coconut production. The fiber in these brushes are excellent for tackling tough grime and grease, making them ideal for cleaning dirty pots and pans. They are also gentle on surfaces and do not scratch or damage delicate items like glassware.

Loofah scrubbers are more a softer option for cleaning dishes. Made from the fibrous interior of the loofah plant, which is a type of gourd, this makes them ideal for gentle on surfaces and other delicate items like glassware or ceramics. They can also be used for cleaning fruits, vegetables and commonly used for exfoliating in the bathroom.

Benefits of using dishwashing brushes over a sponge

While sponges have been a popular choice for cleaning dishes for many years, they have do have a fair amount of downsides. They tend to harbor bacteria and must be replaced frequently, which creates more waste. 

CNN shares that a study done by a research scientist at Nofimahas found that salmonella and other bacteria have a much higher survival rate than in brushes used for dishwashing. In fact, they claim that this is why most sponges never dry up. Add in that traditional sponges are made of plastic, they can shed microplastics every time you use them and leave them on the surface of your plates or drain into our water supply.

Especially when you opt for more wooden dish brushes, you’ll be adding a powerful scrubber to your kitchen arsenal that is much more cleaner than any other options. 

Natural brushes offer several benefits over sponges:

• More Durable: Natural dish brushes are typically more durable than sponges, meaning they last longer and don't need to be replaced as often. The average sponge needs to be replaced every week or two while a brush can last as much as 6 months depending on use. This makes them a more cost-effective option in the long run.
• More Efficient: These brushes can save be a time saver with how they’re much more efficient at the reaching nooks and crannies a sponge can’t. Giving you a thorough clean while lasting longer.
• More Hygienic: Sponges can harbor harmful bacteria, making them less hygienic than natural dish brushes. Natural dish brushes can be easily cleaned and disinfected, ensuring that they are always clean and safe to use.
• More Eco-Friendly: Natural dish brushes are typically made from sustainable materials, making them a more eco-friendly choice than sponges, which are often made from synthetic materials. Additionally, many natural dish brushes are biodegradable, meaning they will break down over time and won't contribute to landfill waste.

From being much more sustainable to non-toxic and longer lasting, you get the best healthy clean while saving yourself money. Pairing a natural brush with a replaceable brush head and the right dish soap bar can give you the ultimate cleaning duo to tackle those dirty dishes.

Tips for how to clean dish brushes and keep them in shape

To get the most out of your dish brush and make sure it lasts you for months to come, it is super important to care for it properly. Regularly cleaning your brushes help keep the bacteria growth at bay and from spreading to your cups, pots, and plates.

The maintenance is simple and takes up very little time to do. Here are some easy tips to extend the life of those brushes and how to clean it:

1. Rinse the bristles thoroughly after each use, allowing for any excess food or other grime to wash off and shake off excess water. This will prevent bacteria from growing on the brush.
2. Hang or store it in a dry place, well-ventilated area to prevent mold and bacteria growth. This will also help them dry faster and last longer. 
3. Avoid soaking the brush, especially if it’s made of natural materials. This can encourage warping and cracking of average woods.
4. Sanitize and disinfect your brush at least once a week by dipping the bristles in vinegar and letting them soak for a few minutes. Then rinse thoroughly, shake off any remaining water, and allow it to air dry. This will help kill any bacteria that may have built up on the brush.

Throwing the brush in the dishwasher may sound like the perfect and clean solution for your brush but it can actually shorten its lifespan. Wooden items are prone to crack or warp when soaked and plastics can shed those microplastics in the dishwashing machine.

Of course, there is only so much that you can do when you’ve given your favourite dishwasher so much love. If your brush starts to show significant wear or begins to smell, this your sign that it’s time for a replacement. 

Work smarter, not harder

With all the options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose from but when it comes to doing the dishes, it’s safe to say that a dish brush is an easy choice to make. Choosing one over sponges is proven to not only be healthier for you but give you an efficient clean. While it may look costly at first, these brushes are to stay for the long haul and is the key to a sparkling kitchen.

Give kitchen brushes a try and check out this powerful scrubber with a free refillable head!