Silicone scouring pads: types and uses

Washing dishes by hand is a tedious but inevitable process. A variety of detergents and accessories help to simplify it. Not so long ago, another one appeared on the market - a silicone sponge for washing dishes. What is it, how to use it and what are its characteristics - let's figure it out.

The food-grade silicone sponge looks like a potholder or hot stand: it is flat, with a small loop on top. The surface of the sponge is dotted with numerous soft bristles, with the help of which it fights dirt on the surface of the dishes.

Consider the advantages of this product:

• bacteria do not retain on the silicone surface;
• unlike its foam “colleague”, a silicone sponge does not accumulate greasy particles and dirt, it is very easy to wash it off;
• small dirt with its help can be removed from the dishes even without the use of detergent;
• the silicone sponge does not wrinkle, does not tear, does not lose its shape, does not fade, in general, even after long-term use it retains a presentable appearance;
• the product is pleasant to hold in your hands;
• in addition to dishes, it can be used to wash kitchen work surfaces, tiles, sinks, wash makeup brushes, vegetables and fruits, clean upholstered furniture from animal hair, etc .;
• it not only looks like a potholder / stand for hot, but can also replace any of these devices: it can be used to remove the hot pan from the stove and put it on it.

However, the silicone sponge also has disadvantages:

• when it gets wet, it becomes slippery, slips out of the hands;
• it will not be able to clean up serious dirt: burnt fat, dried buckwheat, etc.

In general, the varieties of silicone sponges are a purely conventional concept, they are rather divided not according to their functional purpose, but according to their shapes and colors. And so all products are universal.

On sale you can find sponges in the form:

• flower;
• sun;
• heart;
• circle;
• eights;
• apples, etc.

The color range of silicone sponges consists of bright, "acidic" colors: salad, yellow, blue, pink.

Products are sold individually or in sets. The most famous and purchased set - Better Sponge. The kit includes 3 different sponges:

• square purple on the one hand it has a flat surface, thanks to which it can be used as a stand for hot food, a potholder, open with its help lapped or dried can lids;
• round green on both sides it is dotted with soft short bristles, it is used for washing dishes made of thin glass (for example, glasses), washing burnt food residues from non-stick coatings, cleaning work surfaces and household appliances;
• oval orange - the smallest - characterized by the longest bristles, with its help you can remove hair from the surface of upholstered furniture, clean windows and tiles in the kitchen and bathroom.

Rules for using silicone sponges:

• each time after use, it is necessary to rinse the product under running hot water;
• once every 2-3 weeks it is required to arrange a "sterilization" of the sponge - to lower it in boiling water for 2 minutes;
• it is not prohibited to wash the product in the dishwasher;
• every 3-6 months the sponge must be replaced with a new one.

As for dishwashing detergents, you can use the silicone sponge with or without them.

Consumers who have used silicone scouring pads are divided.

Those who were happy with them mentioned the following:

• products perfectly cope with fresh dirt even without the use of dishwashing liquid;
• they are convenient for washing cutlery: forks, knives, spoons, as well as products made of thin glass, porcelain;
• do not accumulate dirt, easy to clean;
• the versatility of the sponges allows them to be used not only in the kitchen;
• with their help, some even hand wash children's socks and tights, gently removing dirt;
• if you need to wash fruits or vegetables, a silicone sponge will come to the rescue here;
• in its structure, the sponge resembles an antistress toy, it is very pleasant to hold and crumple it;
• last much longer than foam analogs.

As for negative reviews, they are mainly like this:

• it is impossible to wash burnt, dried food, rancid old fat, especially from cast-iron pans;
• too slippery when wet;
• if the bristles are small and often spaced, it is difficult to wash out the remaining dirt from them.