Kitchen & Dining

Dish brushes

Plant-fiber dish brushes with wood or metal handles, including replaceable-head designs.

Replacing nylon bristles with plant fibers reduces the plastic used at the sink.  We favor brushes that can dry between washes and keep their handle when the head wears out.  The bristles—not just a wooden handle—determine whether a brush meets our material standard.

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Redecker Horsehair Milk-Bottle Brush, 35 cm Redecker Horsehair Milk-Bottle Brush, 35 cm Why we recommend it: This long-handled brush reaches into milk bottles, tall glasses and thermal coffee pots.  Its soft horsehair bristles offer an alternative to nylon, and the beechwood handle is untreated.  Made in Germany.  Hand-wash, rinse away loose fibers and allow it to dry fully.  For baby bottles, follow any recommended sanitizing steps separately from cleaning. Materials: horsehair · untreated beechwood $17.08★ 4.7 · 1,000+ ratings View on Amazon
The EcoGurus Swedish Dishcloths — Multicolor, 10-Pack The EcoGurus Swedish Dishcloths — Multicolor, 10-Pack COTTON Why we recommend it: A textured cellulose-and-cotton cloth can handle dishwashing and everyday sink cleanup without polyester microfiber.  This set contains ten Swedish-made cloths, so a clean one can be ready while another is being washed.  Rinse before first use, clean in the washing machine or top rack of the dishwasher, and skip fabric softener before air-drying. Materials: cellulose · cotton $19.99★ 4.7 · 6,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Wettex Original Swedish Dishcloths — 10-Pack Wettex Original Swedish Dishcloths — 10-Pack COTTON Why we recommend it: Cellulose absorbs dishwater and spills, while cotton gives these reusable sponge cloths their strength.  They are a practical replacement for synthetic cloths and single-use paper towels around the sink.  The assorted colors help keep a dishwashing cloth separate from one used elsewhere in the home.  Wash regularly and let each cloth dry fully between uses. Materials: cellulose · cotton $9.70★ 4.7 · 12,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Lola Wowables Swedish Dishcloth Roll — Black Geometric, 30 Sheets Lola Wowables Swedish Dishcloth Roll — Black Geometric, 30 Sheets COTTON Why we recommend it: These washable cellulose-and-cotton sheets offer a plant-fiber alternative to synthetic cleaning cloths.  The perforated roll makes it easy to tear off a fresh cloth for dishes or spills and reuse it after washing.  This Black Geometric roll contains 30 sheets.  Rinse between uses, wash on a cold cycle or in the dishwasher, and air-dry rather than tumble-drying. Materials: cellulose · cotton $29.88★ 4.4 · 2,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Redecker Curved Union-Fiber Dish Brushes — 2-Pack Redecker Curved Union-Fiber Dish Brushes — 2-Pack LEATHER Why we recommend it: Firm plant-fiber bristles tackle stuck-on food, while the curved wooden handle gives you leverage around a pan's edges.  This two-pack is a reusable alternative to plastic-bristled dish brushes.  The beechwood is oiled and each brush has a leather hanging loop, so let it dry between washes and avoid leaving the handle soaking in the sink. Materials: union plant fiber · beechwood · leather $31.49★ 4.4 · 90 ratings View on Amazon
Redecker Natural-Bristle Soda Bottle Brush — 30 cm Redecker Natural-Bristle Soda Bottle Brush — 30 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: Natural pig bristles and a flexible steel stem help clean the inside and base of reusable bottles.  The waxed beechwood handle provides a firm grip.  Made in Germany; Redecker sources most natural bristles from China.  Check the head fits your bottle, rinse away loose bristles and let the brush dry fully.  Cleaning does not replace sanitizing. Materials: pig bristles · stainless-steel wire · waxed beechwood $25.99★ 4.4 · 100+ ratings View on Amazon
Redecker Untreated Beechwood and Union-Fiber Pot Brushes — 2-Pack Redecker Untreated Beechwood and Union-Fiber Pot Brushes — 2-Pack Why we recommend it: Stiff tampico and palmyra fibers tackle baked-on food without a synthetic scouring pad.  The German-made brushes have untreated beechwood grips, so there is no varnished handle to wear away.  They suit durable pots and cast iron, not delicate finishes that could scratch.  Rinse and dry them bristle-side down; do not soak the wood or put it in the dishwasher. Materials: untreated beechwood · tampico and palmyra fibers $20.77★ 4.4 · 1,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Good Deeds Market Luffa Kitchen Sponge — Vivid Red Daisy Gingham Good Deeds Market Luffa Kitchen Sponge — Vivid Red Daisy Gingham COTTONUSA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: A luffa scrubbing side and a softer wood-pulp-and-cotton face give this sponge two useful cleaning textures without a conventional synthetic-foam body.  Made in the USA, it has a wide loop for hanging between uses.  The maker's clear fiber breakdown makes it easier to see what you are using on dishes; rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry. Materials: luffa (50%) · wood pulp (25%) · cotton (25%) $14.00 View product
Iris Hantverk Birch and Union-Fiber Pan Brush Iris Hantverk Birch and Union-Fiber Pan Brush Why we recommend it: A tall birch grip keeps your hand above the scrubbing head while firm tampico and bassine fibers work on stuck-on food.  This Swedish-made brush offers a plant-bristle alternative to nylon for sturdy pots and pans.  Its fibers are deliberately firm, so test delicate finishes first; rinse the brush and dry it bristles-down instead of leaving it soaking. Materials: oil-treated birch · tampico fiber · bassine fiber $32.00 View product
SuperBee Luffa and Organic Cotton Dish Sponges — 2-Pack SuperBee Luffa and Organic Cotton Dish Sponges — 2-Pack ORGANIC COTTON Why we recommend it: Locally grown luffa forms the scrubbing face, with a cotton backing made from fabric offcuts from SuperBee's wrap production.  These Thai-made sponges offer a plant-fiber alternative to plastic foam while making use of leftover cloth.  The two-pack lets you rotate a freshly washed sponge into use; rinse well and allow each one to dry fully. Materials: luffa fiber · organic cotton backing $15.99 View product
Takada Kozo Shoten Classic Oval Shuro-Palm Scrubber — Medium Takada Kozo Shoten Classic Oval Shuro-Palm Scrubber — Medium STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: A palm-sized oval of shuro fibers gives you a reusable scrubber for everyday dishwashing without a foam sponge body.  Its bristles are held with stainless-steel wire rather than set into a molded plastic head.  Made in Japan from imported palm; rinse out food particles and hang it where air can circulate between uses. Materials: shuro-palm fiber · stainless-steel binding · hanging cord (fiber unspecified) $16.00 View product
Takada Kozo Shoten Musubi Shuro-Palm Scrub Brush Takada Kozo Shoten Musubi Shuro-Palm Scrub Brush STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: Musubi’s rounded, knotted shape gives you several scrubbing angles for bowls, pan corners and cutting-board edges.  Shuro-palm fibers replace nylon bristles, with stainless-steel binding kept away from the scrubbing face.  Made in Japan using Chinese-grown palm; rinse before use and allow it to air-dry.  This retailer ships from Canada, with shipping and applicable import charges extra. Materials: shuro palm fiber · stainless steel $34.00 View product
Takada Kozo Shoten Sasara Palm-Fiber Scrubbing Brush — 11 cm Takada Kozo Shoten Sasara Palm-Fiber Scrubbing Brush — 11 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: Tightly bundled palm fibers reach into grooves and pan edges without nylon bristles.  A continuous stainless-steel wire holds this small Sasara brush together, leaving both ends usable for scrubbing.  It is made in Japan with Chinese-grown palm.  Rinse away loose fibers before first use and let it dry between washes.  Ships from Japan; the yen price excludes delivery and import charges. Materials: shuro palm fiber · stainless-steel binding wire JPY 2,500 View product
Takada Kozo Shoten Shuro-Palm Cup Brush with Beech Handle Takada Kozo Shoten Shuro-Palm Cup Brush with Beech Handle STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: The elongated palm-fiber head reaches inside drinking glasses that are awkward to wash with a flat sponge.  A shaped beech grip and stainless-steel binding replace the molded plastic body common to cup brushes.  This Japanese-made tool uses imported palm fiber; rinse it well and let the head dry fully after washing. Materials: shuro-palm bristles · beech handle · stainless-steel binding · hanging cord (fiber unspecified) $25.00 View product
Takada Kozo Shoten Shuro-Palm Pan Brush with Beech Handle Takada Kozo Shoten Shuro-Palm Pan Brush with Beech Handle STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: Firm palm fibers tackle stuck-on food on iron pans without a nylon brush head.  The beech handle keeps your fingers farther from the pan, while the open-centered head is easy to rinse.  Handmade in Japan using imported palm fiber; let cookware cool enough to handle safely, then rinse the brush and hang it to dry. Materials: shuro-palm bristles · beech handle · stainless-steel binding · hanging cord (fiber unspecified) $25.00 View product

What we avoid

These are category-level exclusions when materials or treatments are disclosed.  Each product card explains why we recommend it and lists the disclosed materials.

BPA & BPS Phthalate plasticizers PVC Melamine