On a mission to find a sponge that won’t stink, I recently caved and ordered a pack of three Scrub Daddy Color Sponges on a whim, and I only wish I’d done it sooner. These little round scrubbers have been all over my feed for years and have thousands of 5-star reviews, including from pro cleaners and The Kitchn editors. But I just kept thinking, It’s just a sponge, how special could it be? As it turns out, very.
I haven’t had a stinky sponge since making the switch to the Scrub Daddy about three months ago. Not after cleaning up a full pasta dinner, not after tackling a messy roasting pan, and not after scrubbing the skillet I use for buttery grilled cheeses. The secret is in its quick-drying, bacteria-resistant “FlexTexture” material, so it’s never sitting around soggy. That means no fraying, no mystery smells, and no reason to swap it out early.
Another fun feature: The sponge changes texture depending on the water temperature. Cold water makes it firm enough to power through baked-on food, and warm water turns it soft for more delicate items like glassware. In other words, I can easily wash a whole sink of different dishes without switching tools, which means I’m not juggling multiple miscellaneous scrubbers like I used to.
The Kitchn has talked about odor-fighting sponges before, like the Peachy Clean Silicone Scrubber and Skura Style sponges, but for me, the Scrub Daddy has been the perfect mix of quick-drying, long-lasting, and actually enjoyable to use. Not to mention, the little smiley face is adorable, and it’s surprisingly handy. The “eyes” make a great finger grip, and the “mouth” is perfect for cleaning utensils.
I’m still using the first sponge in my three-pack, and it’s held up perfectly after a few months — it’s sturdy and hardworking, and it shows no signs of letting up. Even if it gets a little funky (which has yet to happen!), it’s easy to throw it in the dishwasher to sanitize it.
Since adding these to my kitchen cleaning regimen, I haven’t had to do the dreaded sniff test or toss out one of these sponges early. It’s a small swap that’s made a huge difference in my kitchen, and I’m honestly never going back to regular sponges.
Buy: Scrub Daddy Color Sponges, $13.99