Best Dish Scrubber
Let’s face it, dishes get dirty. Even if you have a dishwasher, the need to scrub off baked-in, caked-on food from our pots, pans, trays and dishes happens more than we’d like. This necessary task is a chore that can be made easier with a good dish scrubber. Dish scrubbers have come a long way since a basic sponge or steel wool. Dish scrubbers can be constructed and designed from a variety of materials, such as: durable plastic, bamboo, nylon and silicone. Some dish scrubbers are designed to make the job effortless with mechanical parts, many are designed with ergonomic features and some are designed with antimicrobal properties. There are a huge variety of scrubbers available on the market that all have different features, and in turn, all have different strengths and weaknesses. Sorting through all of the information can be a chore in itself! But, there is no need to stress over this purchase. You can trust the recommendations from our experts who have done the research for you listing these top picks for the best dish scrubbers available on the market today. In this post you will find information about six great picks of top of the line dish scrubbers, all with unique features. Continue reading to learn more, to get your questions answered, and to gain the information you need to purchase a dish scrubber that will work great for you in your kitchen.
1. Editor’s Choice: OXO Good Grips Bottle Brush
OXO is a brand name that many trust, and for good reason. The OXO Good Grips bottle brush is no exception. With that said, we want to stress that this brush is primarily designed for cleaning bottles, wine-glasses, and delicate, hard-to-reach places. The bristles themselves area fairly soft – even the picks at the end of the handle – and will wear down quickly if used to clean dried food matter in particular.
Overall, OXO’s bottle brush is perfect for any opening of about 2.3 inches or 5.8 centimeters. This means it’s perfect for keeping a Klean Kanteen clean, but won’t fit standard plastic water bottle necks. We really liked the long handle and non-slip grip. This lets you put some real elbow grease into cleaning those tough to reach spots.
Pros
- Good any bottle neck wider than 2.3 inches
- Long-handled with a flexible neck for deep cleaning bottles
- Stiff dual-action bristles for multi-directional cleaning
- Non-slip handle
- Fits most standard caddies or dish racks
Cons
- Not designed as an all-around dish brush.
2. Runner Up: OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Palm Brush
The OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Palm brush is packed with purposeful features and is designed for both ease and efficiency of use. Its contoured shape provides comfort and ergonomic scrubbing power and is coated with a soft, comfortable, non-slip grip surface. The nylon bristle scrubber won’t scratch non-stick cookware and works great to scrub dishes, pots, pans and trays. To use, simply unscrew the top, fill it with your favorite dish soap, and dispense soap on demand with the light push of a button. You can purchase replacement base brushes, making this scrubber a lasting investment at a reasonable price.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Comfortable non-slip grip
- Press button soap dispensing
- Replaceable bristle attachment
Cons:
- Uses more soap than some prefer
- There is not a scraper feature on this scrubber
- Not designed to clean bottles or glasses
3. Best Electric: Black+Decker Grime Buster Pro Power Scrubber
The Black+ Decker Grimebuster Pro Rechargeable Power Scrubber makes the job of cleaning a full sinkload of grimy dishes, quick, easy, and maybe even a little fun! This rechargeable electric scrubber comes with a bristle brush and a multi-purpose sponge and is compatible with a variety of Black+Decker dishwasher safe replacement heads. This scrubber is not only great for cleaning dishes, but also is a great tool for cleaning surfaces all around the home including tiles, countertops, backsplashes, showers and tubs. The Black+Decker Grimebuster Pro Rechargeable Scrubber comes with a stand that doubles as a charging dock, which plugs into an electrical outlet. This electric scrubber is fully submersible and designed for long lasting performance.
Pros:
- Takes the manual work out of scrubbing
- Brushes can be cleaned in a dishwasher
- Replacement brushes are easy to find
- Designed with a comfortable grip and non-slip handle
- Multi-purpose cleaning tool
- Great for individuals with arthritis or limited hand strength
Cons:
- The charging stand unit takes up countertop space
- Adds noise to the process of cleaning dishes
4. Most Eco-Friendly: Full Circle Be Good Kitchen Dish Brush with Bamboo Handle
If you are looking to purchase a dish scrubber that works great on dishes, pots and pans and is also made from earth-friendly materials, consider the Full Circle Be Good Kitchen Dish Brush. This scrubber is made from recycled plastic and is constructed with a sustainable bamboo handle. It is designed with firm, durable bristles and a built-in scraper for easy cleaning of dishes with stubborn caked-on food. This scrubber is not only effective to use, but also adds an element of style to your kitchen. It is available with three different color accents (green, purple or white) which aesthetically contrast the natural bamboo handle. The Full Circle Be Good Kitchen Dish Brush combines sustainability and function without sacrificing beauty. You can feel good about your purchase because Full Circle is a certified B corporation with a commitment to reduced environmental impacts.
Pros:
- Durable Design
- Appealing color accents
- Eco Friendly
- Lasting performance
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Not as ergonomic as some other handheld scrubbers
- Brush head cannot be replaced
5. Best Dish Scrubber Pad: SKOY Non-Scratching, Reusable Scrub
The SKOY reusable dish scrubber pad is a great pick not only for its effectiveness, but also for its durability. This dish scrubber is safe to use on non-stick pans, ceramic, glass and cooktops. SKOY reusable dish scrubber pads are easy to clean, either by rubbing the scrub bristles against each other or by running the scrubber through the dishwasher or washing machine. These scrubbers add a pop of color and style to your dish washing experience. Made in Poland from cotton and non-toxic hardener, SKOY reusable dish scrubbers outlast traditional scrubbers and, in turn, help you to save money and reduce waste.
Pros:
- Effective and durable
- Easy to clean
- Colorful and trendy
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- They take a long time to dry
- Needs a lot of soap to lather
6. Best Silicone Dish Scrubber: Peachy Clean Silicone Scrubber
Peachy Clean Silicone Dish Scrubbers are a great option if you are seeking cleanliness, not only with your dishes, but also with your scrubber. These scrubbers are made from tough, flexible silicone material that is an effective cleaning tool and they have the added bonus of smelling just as good as they clean! Each Peachy Clean dish scrubber is infused with a peach fragrance and is designed to provide long lasting antimicrobial resistance to odors caused by bacteria, mold and mildew. This soft silicone scrubber is ideal for day to day cleaning of dishes, pots and pans.
Pros:
- Great smell and antimicrobal properties
- Less abrasive than other models
- Lasts 3-4 months
Cons:
- Not designed for heavy duty, hard scrubbing use
- Using bleach or other harsh chemicals will deteriorate product
7. Best Cast Iron Cleaner: Amagabeli Stainless Steel Cast Iron Cleaner
The Amagabeli stainless-steel cast iron cleaner is an old-school, chain-mail style scouring pad for keeping rust at bay. Anyone who has ever owned a cast iron pan will tell you how important keeping up to date with caring for it can be. Amagebeli’s cast iron cleaner makes this process much easier, and doesn’t risk damaging the pan’s seasoning. The scrubby itself is made of 316 grade stainless-steel, meaning it’s rust-resistant, long-lasting, and dishwasher safe.
You can also use the chainmail scrubby on Dutch ovens and products built with similar materials. Amagebeli also includes a pair of bonus pan scrapers specifically for polycarbonate pots, pans, and skillets. This is a nice addition, but a nice-to-have not a have-to-have. As always, we strongly recommend that you take good care of your new scouring pads. This means taking care to use piping hot water to clean off grease, fat, and grit that will damage your pad over time.
Pros
- Includes 1 8-inch x 6-inch 316 grade stainless-steel scrubby -perfect for cast-iron and Dutch ovens
- Includes 2 bonus pan scrapers for polycarbonate skillets
- Long-lasting
- Dishwasher safe
- No soap required
Cons
- For best results always completely clean off any grease, fat, or oil by hand – this helps make you pad last longer
8. Best Scented Sponge: Scrub Daddy Lemon Fresh Sponge
The Scrub Daddy Lemon Fresh sponge is a sunny addition for those looking for a great all-around kitchen aide. One of the coolest features of this sponge is its sensitivity to temperature. The Scrub Daddy becomes firm in cold water for when you’ve needed to soak a pan. When working with warm, sudsy water the Scrub Daddy is instead pliable and perfect for absorbing soap.
This kitchen sponge is also good on a number of surfaces – including glass and copper cookware, even your car in a pinch. When properly maintained with regular cleaning the Scrub Daddy should remain odor free for two-months. Make sure to rinse clean after each use to hit this window. One final, albeit strange, note. The Scrub Daddy is actually great for cleaning the bottom of glasses. This is because you can place your fingers into the eyes and work the scrubby all the way down to the bottom.
Pros
- Scratch-free due to a soft design
- Soft in warm water and firm in cold water
- Lemon-scented, with a smile
- Good for deep cleaning – even glasses
Cons
- Not bio-degradable, very likely that it leads to plastic particulate in broad-based water supplies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dish scrubber better than a sponge or steel wool?
Sponges have been long used to aid in the dishwashing process, but they are known to harbor bacteria. A scrubber with a plastic or silicone brushes or bristles tend to stay drier when they are not in use and they are not as porous as sponges so bacteria tends not to grow as quickly on dish scrubbers compared to sponges. Dish scrubbers are also more aggressive cleaning tools than sponges and can make the job of cleaning dirty pots and pans easier than just using the soft surface of a sponge. Dish scrubbers are much more durable and long lasting than sponges. Steel wool is an easy to find cleaning tool, but it can damage surfaces of non-stick pans because it is so abrasive. Steel wool is also prone to rust.
How can I extend the life of my dish scrubber?
Cleaning and sanitizing your dish scrubber will keep your scrubber in good working order so there is not a build up of food particles that can harbor bacteria. If your scrubber gets too dirty you are not going to want to use it to clean your dishes. Brush-style scrubbers can get worn with use. Many dish scrubbers have replacement brush heads that you can purchase to extend the life-span of your scrubber. Keeping your dish scrubber clean and sanitized also extends the life of your dish scrubber.
What are some good practices for safe dishwashing?
When you start the process of washing dishes, it is helpful to start soaking pans with caked on food for at least 30 minutes before you start scrubbing them. Wash your dishes in order from least dirty to dirtiest. This usually means starting with glasses, cups and flatware followed by plates, bowls then serving dishes. You can either put your dish soap directly into the water or add soap to your dish scrubber for tougher areas to clean. Adding soap with a press of a button is a handy feature that several scrubbers with soap dispensers have. After soaking, using the bristles and/or scraper on a high quality dish scrubber makes the task of cleaning off caked-on foods from your pots, pans and trays easier. When you are finished with your dishes, be sure to wash your dish scrubber so that it does not accumulate bacteria and odors.
How often should you replace your dish scrubber?
Sponges should be replaced every two weeks, or when an odor becomes apparent. To hit this benchmark you’ll want to take proper care of your sponges. For instance, make sure to fill your sponge with soap every two days or so. Wring out the soap and wash through under hot water. This will make your scrubbies last longer.
What to look for when purchasing a dish scrubber
Materials
The materials that a dish scrubber is constructed from will affect its durability and how you can clean it. Typically, the more durable the materials, the longer the product will last. The materials the scrubber is constructed from will also determine what items you can clean it with. Some scrubbers are designed for heavy duty scrubbing for caked-on food on pots and pans, others are designed for more of a general use for dishes, cups and glasses.
Ease of cleaning
Dish scrubbers can harbor bacteria and odors if they are not cleaned. Consider how you can wash or sanitize your dish scrubber when making a purchase. Some dish scrubbers have detachable bristles or are designed with antimicrobal properties that make them easier to clean than others. It is recommended to sanitize your dish scrubber at least once a week. Most manual dish scrubbers made from plastic materials can be washed in a dishwasher on the top rack or in the silverware holder. If your brush has a wooden handle or mechanical parts you will need to wash your scrubber by hand. Dish scrubbers can also be washed and sanitized by soaking the scrubber or sponge in white vinegar for a couple of hours.
Functionality
Some dish scrubbers are designed solely for washing dishes, others have a wider variety of functionality and have the capacity to clean surfaces like tiles, countertops or even windows. Purchasing a scrubber that has broader use capacities may be appealing, especially when considering mechanical versions that have a higher price point.