I Stopped Using a Sponge — Here’s the $13 Dishwashing Gem I Use Instead

My husband does the bulk of the cooking at home — which means it’s only fair that I handle the dishes. Because we (devastatingly) don’t have a dishwasher in our apartment, I spend a lot of time washing dishes by hand. A podcast or TV show helps to pass the time, but it’s the tool I use to scrub pots, pans, and plates that can make the chore 10 times more bearable. I’m normally a dish-sponge person, but I may never go back now that I’ve tried the Brite by Scotch-Brite Fillable Dishwand. It makes washing dishes way easier! 

The Brite Dishwand is your new dishwashing essential. It has a leakproof well in the handle that’s designed to be filled with your preferred dish soap, and it dispenses the perfect amount at the press of a button. The scrubbing sponge at the end tackles stubborn, stuck-on food and oil without scratching, and the wand comes with its own drying rack for easy upright storage. Any residual water from the sponge drains down into the stand, sparing your countertop from the mess (and keeping your sponge from getting icky). 

If you do have a dishwasher, you’ll be pleased to learn that the entire product (stand, scrubber, and all!) is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. But don’t worry if you’re like me and don’t have a dishwasher — the stand has a removable lid to make hand-washing painless, and the sponge rinses clean in no time (more on that later). 

I know it’s probably horrible for my gloveless hands, but I use scalding-hot water to wash dishes (I feel like it helps achieve a deeper clean). To that end, the Brite Dishwand literally keeps my hands out of hot water with its long handle, which my skin appreciates. 

The scrub sponge is more effective than my old dish sponge at sloughing burnt food bits from the bottom of pots and pans (without scratching their nonstick coating), thanks to its durable exterior. While it feels super rough when it’s dry, the surrounding sponge softens immediately once wet — it’s the ideal balance of roughness and squish. I was pretty impressed by how well the sponge held up, too: Food didn’t get stuck in its pores, and I can easily rinse it off with some light brushing with my hand. 

There were only a couple of minor issues I ran into when using this product. Espresso cups were a bit tricky with the wand, but I managed by removing the scrub sponge from its base and using it like a regular sponge. And while the scrub sponge’s rigid exterior holds up when washing most kitchen utensils, I’d exercise some caution when washing sharp kitchen knives, as they might slice the sponge. 

My favorite thing about the Brite Dishwand, though, is that it’s self-storing. My kitchen sink is tiny as it is, so the fact that the wand can rest on its designated stand beside my faucet without taking up much space is a massive pro. And because the soap goes in the dishwand’s reservoir, I have one fewer thing cluttering my countertop. 

The Brite Fillable Dishwand isn’t just for dishwashing, either. Use it on counters and stovetops, or keep it permanently in the bathroom to clean your tub and tile (it’s great for naked shower cleaning). It simply can’t be beat for only $13! 

Buy: Brite by Scotch-Brite Fillable Dishwand, $13