Brushes, sponges and wipes: why they are not suitable for cleaning?

Modern synthetic sponges, rolls of miracle wipes and microfiber cloths have long replaced feather dusters made from ostrich feathers and brushes made from pig bristles. But after every cleaning session, we end up washing our cleaning agents and sanitizing our tools. Why does this happen? We explain.

Natural — does not mean convenient

All natural materials are eco-friendly. But items made of flannel, terry cotton or linen are only good for personal care now. And cork and bristles are only for styling if you're into vintage, rustic or shabby chic.

Brushes and cloth items made from natural materials have been phased out for several reasons: they absorb poorly, don't hold dust reliably, lose their appearance quickly, and sterilize badly.

In the 20th century, synthetics rightfully displaced natural materials. Housewives were no longer satisfied with water spots on tiles that couldn't be wiped away in one motion, fibers on mirrors, or hair stuck to their favorite cup.

Drawbacks of roll wipes

Miracle cloths or roll wipes are made from a thin single-layer nonwoven fabric formed from a blend of viscose and cellulose. The raw material is natural, but the fabric is artificial and not synthetic.

There are some advantages, but they're few. The main issue is the lack of fibers. But only until a pet’s fur or someone else's hair gets on a damp wipe — try removing it!

Wipes can be torn off the roll one at a time, soaked in cleaning agents, rinsed, or used dry. They are almost disposable like kitchen paper towels since they get stained and distorted after just one use.

They absorb and retain grease worse than paper. Dust collected with a dry wipe will scatter immediately.

What's wrong with microfiber?

Microfiber made from ultra-fine polyester and polyamide threads seems more practical and durable. Wipes of different textures, arm sleeves, even slippers for cleaning, and mops help wash, clean, polish, and dry many things.

Fibers made from very long organic molecules attract and hold dust particles due to contact electrification. The microscopic triangular cavities can absorb water just as well as sponges.

But there are downsides: microfiber is a very capricious material. It doesn't like very hot water, drying near radiators or any heat sources. It deforms and loses its properties.

The best way to clean it of accumulated dirt and preserve its useful properties is to rub it manually with a brush in a solution of household soap. Or toss it into the drum of a washing machine, selecting low temperature and delicate mode. These methods are not very convenient or simple.

What's dangerous about sponges?

Not the natural sea sponge, of course — made from foam, expanded polyurethane or nylon with a polyester film, sponges are meant to lather cleaning agents, enhancing the effectiveness of surfactants (SAS).

It's actually not the porous part that washes, but the rigid adhered cloth: green for heavy-duty cleaning, blue abrasive for gentler cleaning.

You will never fully dry a sponge. In liquid environments, bacteria multiply on the sponge. Their quantity is checked in laboratories using a special device — a luminometer. Tests proved that using a dish sponge for more than a week is dangerous.

The more manufacturers list the advantages of improved sponges, whether it's silver threads or bamboo fiber, the more harmful microorganisms, even E. coli, remain on them and multiply. Cleaning agents consumed by sponges are used in about the same amounts, regardless of what the advertisements claim.