In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic I use in our kitchen, I’m looking to replace the cleaning sponges I use.
Ever since I found out how bad plastic sponges are for our environment, I decided to find an eco-friendly and plastic-free alternative.
My main concerns with plastic sponges is the amount of waste they produce, because they aren’t recyclable, but also the microplastics pollution they cause. So plastic-free is a must, zero-waste or compostable the ideal.
I was a bit worried that eco-friendly sponges don’t work as well, but I quickly found out that not only do compostable sponges work great, some even do a better job than their plastic equivalents.
Having tried a few, here I summarise my experience with them and bring you the best compostable sponges you can get in the UK. Although, I did also try one that I thought was compostable, but isn’t, but as it’s plastic-free and works well for some things, I have included it here too.
It’s not actually a sponge either. A second one I tried also isn’t a sponge, but as both are viable alternatives to plastic sponges, so they fit here. So let’s go…
Best Compostable Sponges
| Products | Performance | Longevity | Value For Money | My Rating | Full Review | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Outstanding | 4 months+ | Excellent | 4.93 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Excellent | 3 months+ | Outstanding | 4.9 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Great | 4 months+ | Excellent | 4.76 | Read Review | Visit Website |
How I Go About Rating The Sponges
I test any cleaning sponge or pad thoroughly, using it for different tasks, such as washing dishes, cleaning work surfaces, sinks, etc.
The criteria I look for are:
- Performance – especially absorbency, dirt removal, and flexibility
- Longevity – how long can you the sponge for
- Value for money – is it worth replacing your old plastic sponges
- Disposal – does it reduce the waste in your kitchen
My recommendations are then based on whether I would buy the compostable sponge or cleaning pad again. If one sponge doesn’t work for a task, I will tell you, and also if it works great for another.
So you can be confident that you make the right decision for your needs.
#1: Srubbies Cleaning Pad (Our Rating = 4.93/5)
Ok, these cleaning pads aren’t really sponges, I admit, but they can be used instead of plastic sponges for many cleaning chores, so I think they belong on this list.
These pads are handmade by one woman, Kerry, on her sewing machine in her cottage in Wales. Her story is quite inspiring, because she came up with the design after going through a rough time when she had to visit a food bank for the first time despite working.
Now she makes them as her full-time job, and her small business sells to many retailers across the UK and in the EU. It’s a real success story.
No Plastic – Only Natural Materials
The hand made cleaning pads are top quality and consist of three parts. One one side a layer of organic cotton, and on the other side rough hessian material. In the middle is a bamboo lining, which is antibacterial.
It’s all stitched together with organic cotton thread. No plastic in sight here.
Despite being quite thin, the pads absorb water well and hold any cleaning product, such as washing-up liquid, well too. They are great to wash dishes, because the rougher hessian side takes care of any tougher stains without scraping anything.
But they work equally well to clean surfaces, ovens, sinks and tiles. It’s a great all-round cleaning pad that can replace your plastic sponges for any task, so no wonder it made it to number one of my list of the best compostable sponges in the UK.
Machine Washable
You can wash the pads in the washing machine and use again and again. I have got mine now for several months and they are still going strong. They are really good quality, just what you expect from a handmade product.
And because of that, they are really great value for money, as they outlast several packs of plastic sponges. When they eventually reach the end of their life, I can just cut the Scrubbies cleaning pads up and throw them on our compost heap. Zero-waste.
You can read more about my experience in my full Scrubbies Cleaning Pads Review.
#2: Seep Eco Sponge Scourer (Our Rating = 4.9/5)
Seep is a UK-based company that provides eco-friendly cleaning essentials, such as sponges, rubber gloves, cleaning cloths, etc. Crucially, all of their products are plastic-free, which is exactly what I’m looking for.
They also try to come as close as possible to zero-waste to reduce waste, which is also important for me.
Their Seep Eco Sponge Scourer is made of two materials: plant cellulose for the sponge bit and loofah for the scourer bit. The latter is a plant similar to a courgette, it’s in the same family.
Good Absorbency & Scrubbing Power
The sponge part is soft, absorbs water well and is very similar to a plastic sponge, minus the plastic of course. The scourer part is a bit harder and has a rough texture, while still being flexible to clean the inside of a mug.
What I love is that the scourer good enough to even get dried on stains off, but at the same time gentle enough not to scratch what you clean. This makes the sponge ideal for non-stick cookware as well as more delicate surfaces.
I’ve used the Seep scourer sponge to wash my dishes, clean my glass hob, the kitchen sink, and the bathroom. I’m pleased to say that it worked for all these tasks.
Clean, Wash, Reuse
Although with tougher stains, such as brunt on food, a little bit more scrubbing was necessary. However, that’s a small drawback compared to the benefits.
The biggest of which is that you can wash the sponge in the dishwasher, so you can reuse it again and again. It lasts about 3 months, sometimes a bit longer. Given that a plastic sponge needs throwing around every two weeks because it got dirty and grimy, that’s a long time.
As such, the Seep sponge is really great value for money.
You can find out more in my full Seep Eco Sponge Scourer Review.
Find Your Compostable Sponge Quiz
Answer 5 simple questions and get a personal recommendation.
#3: Re:gn Coconut Kitchen Scourer (Our Rating = 4.8/5)
Re:gn is a UK based company focused on making it easier for people to live a more sustainable life. They have their own range of eco-friendly products, but also sell green products from other brands to give their customers the biggest choice possible.
Their focus on reusable and plastic-free where possible makes them a great place to look for eco-friendly alternatives for products we can’t do without. Even their packaging is 100% plastic-free, reducing their environmental impact even further.
The re:gn coconut kitchen scrubber is part of their own range and provides a great alternative to common plastic sponges.
Thin, Absorbent, Powerful Scrubber
My first thought, when I opened the box was that these coconut scrubbers are quite thin. But that doesn’t mean they don’t work. The thinness makes them great to reach difficult places, such as inside mugs and glasses, or corners of roasting trays.
And despite being very thin, these coconut sponges are quite absorbent and hold washing-up liquid really well. At the same time, they have a rough structure making them ideal for scrubbing. Dried or burnt-on food comes off as easily as do coffee and tea stains.
Cleaning my oven and oven racks is no longer a chore with this tough little coconut scourer. No wonder it’s one of the best compostable sponges.
Durable But Not Reusable
While this coconut scourer lasts quite a while, several weeks at least, it’s not reusable. Unlike other cleaning sponges on this list, this one can’t be washed and refreshed.
This means, once it no longer holds its structure and starts to break down, it’s game over. However, because the re:gn kitchen scourer made of coconut coir, it can be home composted. So if you have access to a compost heap, this is a great zero-option.
And it’s likely to last longer than your ordinary plastic sponge, as it’s more durable as well as having natural antimicrobial properties, like other natural fibres. So even if you have to dispose of it in the general waste bin, it won’t harm the environment as it breaks down.
Read more about it in my re:gn coconut kitchen scourer review.
#4: Skoy Scrub (Our Rating = 4.76/5)
I came across these cleaning pads on my favourite online eco store, so I tried them. They are made in Poland from remnants of cotton towels, and coated in a non-toxic, food-grade substance to give it a rough texture so you can use it to scrub.
What I didn’t realise at first was that the company, Skoy, is based in the US, and that’s where all their products are also packaged. So this means they produce them elsewhere, ship them to the US to package them and then send them back out.
This isn’t really the most sustainable way. And I was quite disappointed when I found out. Another thing I was disappointed about was that the cotton pads aren’t compostable. I guess that’s because of the hardener they use.
Not Compostable, But Plastic-Free & Washable
So why are they on my list of the best compostable sponges? Because they are still better than plastic sponges, which have a huge environmental impact before and after disposal.
The Skoy scrub might have to be sent to landfill, but they won’t release microplastics or toxic chemicals. And because you can wash the pads in the washing machine and reuse for quite a few months, you still reduce the amount the of waste you produce. And they are plastic-free.
And while these scrubbing pads aren’t particularly absorbent, they are great for scrubbing. That’s where they come into their own. I tried them for washing dishes, but the lack of absorbency meant that I used far too much washing-up liquid. So I wouldn’t recommend them for this.
Long Lasting = Value For Money
However, when it comes to scrubbing dirty sinks, a mucky oven/oven door, grimy tiles, and so on, these scrubbing pads are perfect. In fact, they are the best eco-friendly cleaning pads/sponges I found for this task.
As I said, you can wash them and reuse them again and again. This means they will outlast any plastic sponge by a long way, making them great value for money.
So if you need something to get rid of stubborn dirt and grime, the Skoy Scrub is the right tool: tough on dirt, gentle to our environment.
Find out more in my full Skoy Scrub Review.
Top 3 Compostable Sponges
| Products | Performance | Longevity | Value For Money | My Rating | Full Review | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding | 4 months+ | Excellent | 4.93 | Read Review | Visit Website |
| Excellent | 3 months+ | Outstanding | 4.9 | Read Review | Visit Website |
| Great | 4 months+ | Excellent | 4.76 | Read Review | Visit Website |
