Ah, the trusty kitchen sponge — always there for your messiest moments. But behind its sudsy exterior lies a dirty secret: it’s not as clean as it looks.

You rely on sponges to tackle tough messes, but they come with a host of their own: shedding microplastics, contributing to landfill waste and creating a cosy home for bacteria. Yuck.

Ready to get the dirt on sponges? Let’s break down the environmental impact and look at smarter, more eco-friendly ways to clean.

What are conventional dish sponges made of?

That classic yellow and green sponge you reach for every day? It’s made from petroleum-based polyurethane, which is just a fancy way of saying oil based plastic.

The environmental footprint of these sorts of plastic sponges starts well before they reach your sink. The drilling, refining and manufacturing processes necessary to mine petroleum use massive amounts of energy and release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

And those antibacterial sponges? They can be even worse offenders. They’re often treated with harsh chemicals like triclosan, a chemical linked to cancer and toxic to marine life.

Why dish (aka plastic) sponges aren’t eco-friendly

If sponges are so bad for the planet, why are they everywhere?

Most people don’t know their dirty secrets. Marketed as reusable cleaning tools, sponges may seem practical and eco-friendly solutions. And since they don’t look like plastic, it's easy to overlook their environmental impact.

But don’t be fooled — sponges are bacteria harbouring, plastic shedding troublemakers. Let’s get into some of the reasons why these kitchen staples aren’t as innocent as they appear.

1. They’re full of microplastics

Kitchen sponges — like many consumer products — hold tiny embedded fragments of plastic, otherwise known as microplastics. When you use that sponge, small plastic particles shed, wash down the drain and sneak into our water systems. These harmful bits end up in rivers, oceans and even landfills — setting off an ecological chain reaction.

Once in the environment, microplastics present devastating consequences for wildlife — recent studies show that 44% of birds, 43% of mammals, 86% of turtles, and various fish species are victims of microplastics.

What are the consequences of all this microplastic? Aside from hurting animals, these plastics creep up the food chain and could end up on your plate. Imagine pieces of your sponge doubling as a side dish. Gross, right?

2. Decomposition takes much longer than you think

Think that dirty sponge’s story ends in the trash? Nope. Since dish sponges take 500 years to decompose, that sponge is just starting on a centuries long journey.

In the U.S. alone, people throw away around 500 million plastic sponges yearly, adding to the growing waste crisis. These sponges sit in landfills, taking up space and polluting the environment long after we’ve forgotten about them.

When the sponges finally break down, the story doesn’t get better. Dish sponges release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that’s a big player in climate change. The impact keeps adding up!

3. Their production is really, really bad for the environment

We mentioned sponges being made from petroleum based polyurethane. This is a plastic material derived from fossil fuels. Extracting and refining those fuels leaves a serious environmental footprint — from oil spills that devastate ecosystems to the release of greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.

And though labels like “antibacterial” or “fresh scent” may seem great when you’re about to tackle something grimy, those added benefits come at a cost. The chemicals and dyes used to achieve them are anything but harmless — they contaminate local water sources and disrupt ecosystems. 

4. Cross-contamination spreads bacteria

It's not just soap and water that sponges are soaking up; they're basically a five star bacteria hotel. Damp, squishy, and full of crevices, they’re the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria. You may be buying a sponge as a natural cleaning product, but the truth is, it's holding on to some nasty secrets.

One report found that a sponge can host nearly 400,000 bacteria after just a week of use. By the second and third weeks, the number jumps to 20 million! Think of all the places your sponge goes — on hands, counters, even your food — picking up all kinds of bacteria along the way. Yuck!

To make matters worse, when you use sponges to clean raw meats or unwashed veggies, the bacteria they contain can transfer to other surfaces, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. In no time, your sponge is more of a health hazard than a cleaning tool.

Which is better, a dishcloth or a sponge?

So, what’s the better alternative? Dishcloths? They seem like a step up, right?

Before you reach for those hand-knitted ones, here’s a heads-up: many dishcloths sneak in microplastics, too. Instead, try Swedish dishcloths. These eco-friendly gems are biodegradable, last up to a year and can be tossed in the dishwasher or washing machine for easy cleaning.

For best results, look for products made from cellulose and repurposed cotton. Cellulose comes from plant cell walls and is a sustainable material perfect for dishwashing. Bonus: these natural fibres dry quickly, which means less bacteria growth.

Plus, Swedish dishcloths can hold up to 13 times their weight in water, making them a fantastic replacement for paper towels. You’ll be saving the planet and tackling your messes all at once. Two birds, one cloth!

Conclusion - Ditch those plastic sponges for better

Your kitchen sponge might seem like a harmless helper, but most are made from petroleum-based polyurethane — plastic derived from fossil fuels. Producing it releases greenhouse gases, leaving a hefty environmental footprint long before it lands in your sink.

And the problems don’t stop once you start scrubbing. Sponges shed microplastics that sneak into our water systems, affecting wildlife and creeping up the food chain. And when you finally toss it out? Sponges sit in landfill for up to 500 years, releasing methane — one of the most powerful greenhouse gases — as they decompose. 

On a human health level, sponges can serve as heavy duty bacteria hosts, increasing the risk of cross-contamination in your home. And don’t even get us started on antibacterial sponges. They're often treated with substances like triclosan, a chemical linked to cancer and toxic to marine life.

Looking for a better alternative? Enter Dream Cloths. They’re just like eco-friendly Swedish dishcloths but with a snazzier name. Dream Cloths are biodegradable, last up to a year and can absorb an impressive 13 times their weight in water — plus, they do double duty, doing the work of a sponge and paper towels.

And the cherry on top? 50% of the profits go towards clean water and sanitation projects around the world.

Make the switch to Dream Cloths today — because, let’s face it, you’ve got better things to do than wait 500 years for a sponge to decompose.