Your Sponge Is 200,000 Times Filthier Than a Toilet Seat—Here’s What To Use Instead

Sponges are disgusting. I’ve never once met a sponge that didn’t stink after a single use (and continued to stink no matter how many times I put it in the microwave or through the dishwasher), so it should hardly feel like “news” that your standard cleaning tool is absolutely teeming with bacteria.

According to one study out of the University of Arizona¹, sponges harbor up to 10 million bacteria per square inch, or 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat, a fact that makes my skin crawl when I think about how many sponge-cleaned dishes I’ve likely eaten off of in my lifetime.

But the Skura Sponge is different. Think of it as a next-generation sponge that prevents your standard kitchen cleaner from secretly becoming the dirtiest thing in your kitchen. Keep reading for my honest thoughts after trying it firsthand.

Skura Sponge (4-Pack)

$15

Shop at Amazon

What is the Skura Sponge?

While most sponges are made from bacteria-harboring cellulose, the Skura uses foam treated with antimicrobial technology that’s scientifically proven² to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. It dries quickly and has a smooth surface that doesn’t trap food, which means that it never stinks. Plus, there’s no E. coli hiding beneath the surface, which is generally good news when we’re talking about an item that comes into repeated contact with your dishes and flatware. All you have to do is rinse it after each use and it’s practically as good as new.

Since there’s none of the usual “old-sponge smell,” the Skura uses a proprietary “fade to change” technology to cue you that it’s time to swap your well-loved kitchen cleaner out for a new one. The sponges are decorated with a pattern that’s designed to disappear over time. When it’s gone, it’s your sign that it’s time to replace it with a fresh one (usually about 14 days of regular use, according to the brand). Of course Amazon makes that part easy, too, because you can subscribe to receive new sponges at the cadence that works best for you.

Pros & cons of Skura Sponge

Pros: 

• Aesthetically pleasing on the counter
• Not as porous as regular sponges (so gunk doesn't catch inside)
• Safe to use on non-stick cookware
• Very durable and won’t easily break apart

Cons: 

• Can be too stiff for glassware or more delicate dish ware
• Can be hard to decipher when the logo fades, indicating that you need to switch out your sponge

Final verdict

Skura isn’t gross, and it really, really works to get rid of even the grimiest lasagna stains. I tested one out on a dirt-caked cooler that had been sitting in the garage for I-don’t-even-know-how-long, and it was sparkly clean in under a minute. As someone who has historically hated sponges, I never thought I’d be excited enough about one to write a magnum opus about it, but the Skura has changed my tune. And what’s more, my dishes have never been cleaner.