Plastic Free Home

Plastic Free Home

Contents

Scouring Pads, Brushes, And Cloths

A home without plastic Where to start? Stop for a second and look around you. How many plastic things are around you? They are everywhere. Many times we do not even realize that we are using something made of plastic. Let’s start with the kitchen. How many disposable plastics do you use? Scourer, brush for washing dishes, cloth, cleaning products, film to preserve food, bags

Before starting to change we have to be aware of the problem. That is why it is so important to stop and analyze the things we use in our day to day. Analyze and look for alternatives that are more respectful of the environment: biodegradable, compostable

In this post, we want to accompany you, and take a tour of your kitchen. Locate plastics and look for new, more ecological options, without plastic. Let’s start with the scouring pads, brushes, and kitchen cloths

Home Without Plastic Where To Start?

Synthetic Scouring Pads And Kitchen Brushes

We use it every day to wash dishes. (Even if you have a dishwasher, you have one.) It tends to be changed often as it quickly catches a bad smell. How many can you use per year? 10? twenty?

Take note: currently, the sponges of most scouring pads on the market are made of plastic. Polyester or polyamide are the most common materials. They cannot be recycled or composted.

Also, the problem does not end here. Every time we scrub with a plastic scourer, small plastic particles are released. These particles are very small, so small that sewage treatment plants cannot catch them. They reach the rivers, seas, and oceans without anything stopping them. Various types of marine species ingest these microparticles, and through the food chain, the microplastic ends up on our plates.

What Is The Ecological Alternative To Plastic Scouring Pads?

Luffa Vegetable Scourer Or Luffa Sponge

Vegetable sponges are an organic product obtained from luffa, a vine native to Asia that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. A 100% biodegradable and compostable natural material.

It is used in the same way as a synthetic scourer, you can wash crockery, cutlery, glasses, and even ceramic hob without scratching it. The average life of a luffa scourer ranges between 4 to 6 months. Depending on the use and care we have. After each use, it must be rinsed and allowed to dry. To eliminate any bacteria, it is recommended from time to time to place the damp sponge in the microwave for between 10 and 20 seconds.

  • Natural Biodegradable Esparto Scourer

This 100% vegetable sterilized esparto scourer is ideal for washing cutlery, utensils, pots, and pans without generating waste or expelling microplastics through the pipes. Manufactured in Murcia responsibly.

If you are used to synthetic scouring pads, it may take some getting used to at first, as it is a bit stiffer, but with use, it softens. The scourer comes rolled up. To start using it, you need to slightly undo it, creating a kind of nest that adapts to the shape of your hand. It is recommended to soak it in water overnight before first use.

  • Copper Scouring Pad

Copper scourer, perfect for removing embedded dirt from pots, pans, and gas stoves without scratching! These scouring pads are used to clean thoroughly, but gently. Copper is 100% recyclable, does not rust, and is gentle on the hands. Beware! It is not suitable for objects covered with non-stick surfaces such as Teflon or glass ceramics.

To extend its useful life to the maximum, it is recommended to rinse after each use and let it air dry. To eliminate possible bacteria, boil the scourer.

If you don’t like the touch of copper and you are looking for a similar but more malleable option, we recommend the copper and cotton mesh scouring pad. As a double-layer cloth, it is perfect to reach all places.

  • Natural Coconut Fiber Brush

A novel material. This brush is made of coconut fibers and assembled with galvanized wire to prevent rust. Coconut fiber is a 100% biodegradable natural material.

Coconut fiber is obtained from the fruit of the coconut palm tree. The fibers lie between the outer shell and the actual coconut.

This natural coconut fiber brush has many options. You choose what you want to use it for! To clean crockery, pans, and cutlery Clean the skin or peel of vegetables that we are not going to peel. It’s also perfect for removing mud from hiking boots. It can even be used to clean tile grout, bathtubs, and showers.

  • Wooden Brush For Dishwashing

When the luffa sponge resists dirt, it’s time to ask the wooden brush for help. The hardness of its vegetable bristles is the perfect ally to eliminate dry remains and embedded dirt from dishes and pans.

One of the things we like best about this brush is that the head can be removed. Once it is damaged, you do not need to buy a new brush, a replacement of the head is enough. It is also 100% biodegradable and compostable. To make it last longer, you need to take good care of it. Let it dry after each use to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and boil it from time to time to eliminate germs.

Other Brushes

  • Narrow mouth bottle cleaning brush. This bottle cleaning brush with natural bristles and a metal grip is perfect for cleaning the bottom and rims of bottles, particularly narrow mouth lemonade type ones.
  • Compostable Cotton And Cellulose Cloths

Compostable cotton and cellulose cloth. Made of 70% cellulose and 30% cotton. Highly absorbent, biodegradable, and compostable. These cloths are available in various colors and two sizes: Large Medium Small The zero residue solution to synthetic cloths!

We’re not out of the sink yet, and we’ve already found plenty of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic scouring pads and sponges. Little by little, we will go through all the rooms of the house to present options that are free of plastic, biodegradable, and much more respectful of the environment.

If you want to continue learning about how to reduce plastic in the kitchen, don’t miss:

It is used in the same way as a synthetic scourer, you can wash crockery, cutlery, glasses, and even ceramic hob without scratching it. The average life of a luffa scourer ranges between 4 to 6 months. Depending on the use and care we have. After each use, it must be rinsed and allowed to dry. To eliminate any bacteria, it is recommended from time to time to place the damp sponge in the microwave for between 10 and 20 seconds.

Natural Biodegradable Esparto Scourer

This 100% vegetable sterilized esparto scourer is ideal for washing cutlery, utensils, pots, and pans without generating waste or expelling microplastics through the pipes. Manufactured in Murcia responsibly.

If you are used to synthetic scouring pads, it may take some getting used to at first, as it is a bit stiffer, but with use, it softens. The scourer comes rolled up. To start using it, you need to slightly undo it, creating a kind of nest that adapts to the shape of your hand. It is recommended to soak it in water overnight before first use.

Copper Scouring Pad

Copper scourer, perfect for removing embedded dirt from pots, pans, and gas stoves without scratching! These scouring pads are used to clean thoroughly, but gently. Copper is 100% recyclable, does not rust, and is gentle on the hands. Beware! It is not suitable for objects covered with non-stick surfaces such as Teflon or glass ceramics.

To extend its useful life to the maximum, it is recommended to rinse after each use and let it air dry. To eliminate possible bacteria, boil the scourer.

If you don’t like the touch of copper and you are looking for a similar but more malleable option, we recommend the copper and cotton mesh scouring pad. As a double-layer cloth, it is perfect to reach all places.

Natural Coconut Fiber Brush

A novel material. This brush is made of coconut fibers and assembled with galvanized wire to prevent rust. Coconut fiber is a 100% biodegradable natural material.

Coconut fiber is obtained from the fruit of the coconut palm tree. The fibers lie between the outer shell and the actual coconut.

This natural coconut fiber brush has many options. You choose what you want to use it for! To clean crockery, pans, and cutlery Clean the skin or peel of vegetables that we are not going to peel. It’s also perfect for removing mud from hiking boots. It can even be used to clean tile grout, bathtubs, and showers.

Wooden Brush For Dishwashing

When the luffa sponge resists dirt, it’s time to ask the wooden brush for help. The hardness of its vegetable bristles is the perfect ally to eliminate dry remains and embedded dirt from dishes and pans.

One of the things we like best about this brush is that the head can be removed. Once it is damaged, you do not need to buy a new brush, a replacement of the head is enough. It is also 100% biodegradable and compostable. To make it last longer, you need to take good care of it. Let it dry after each use to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and boil it from time to time to eliminate germs.

Other Brushes

Compostable Cotton And Cellulose Cloths

Compostable cotton and cellulose cloth. Made of 70% cellulose and 30% cotton. Highly absorbent, biodegradable, and compostable. These cloths are available in various colors and two sizes: Large Medium Small The zero residue solution to synthetic cloths!

We’re not out of the sink yet, and we’ve already found plenty of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic scouring pads and sponges. Little by little, we will go through all the rooms of the house to present options that are free of plastic, biodegradable, and much more respectful of the environment.

ABOUT ecoGnome

Leading a sustainable lifestyle means wholeheartedly embracing respect for the environment and making a positive impact for people and the planet.

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