The secret meaning behind the colors of kitchen sponges


Home tips

Foam is sold in a range of colors but these bright colors serve a purpose beyond aesthetics.

It took me 40 years to find this information, which explains why I have so few stainless steel Devices It has become an unrecognizable scratch.

Those bright green, yellow and blue colors form a handy coding system that indicates each sponge’s specific function, surface texture and absorbency. Learning to decode these colors helps protect your surfaces from scratches and reduces crosstalkpollution Hazards are all around your home.

Choosing the right sponge for specific tasks protects your kitchen tools and your family’s health while also extending the life of household appliances and surfaces.

Below you’ll find a guide to sponge colors and their intended uses.

Green: All-purpose workhorse

Green sponge

Green foam is strong and versatile.

Scotch Brite

These cleaning pads are the workhorse of the home cleaning world: multi-purpose, dependable, and ready to tackle just about anything.

Mostly intended for general cleaning and dishwashing, they provide enough cleaning power to remove medium-range residue but can be used for tougher stains or even for outdoor cleaning tasks. Basically, if you’re not sure what type of sponge to grab, green means go.

It’s too rough for glass, stainless steel, and other delicate surfaces, but for lumpy cast iron and a dirty refrigerator, nothing works as well.

Yellow: medium roughness for sensitive surfaces

Yellow cleaning non-stick frying pan

Yellow sponge is for more sensitive surfaces.

Mr. Scrap

The yellow sponge is right in the middle – not too rough, not too soft but often overlooked. It represents a step down from the green. It is suitable for cleaning more delicate surfaces, such as glassware, worktops and kitchen sinks, which require careful handling to avoid scratches but can still cause significant stains and build-ups.

Blue: Soft for glass and stainless steel

Blue sponge on stainless steel

The blue sponge will pamper your most delicate items.

Lavix

When dealing with sensitive surfaces, use a blue sponge. It is the least abrasive option and is ideal for very delicate surfaces such as glass or stainless steel, where the goal is a scratch-free shine. Blue is basically a spa day for sponges – gentle, soothing and leaving everything looking refreshed.

Red and pink: high-risk areas and bacterial clutter

The red sponge is rinsed

home depot

These colors are usually reserved for risky areas, like tougher cleaning, baked-on foods, or areas that pose a higher bacteria risk, like the sink where you just rinsed raw chicken (you know, your kitchen’s version of a crime scene).

Its color is not an indication of its roughness so much as a visual reminder never to do it, never Use them on clean cutlery, unless you enjoy living dangerously.

Because they often work in hazardous jobs, you may want to stock up and throw away a package more simply than their counterparts in alternative colors.

Black: heavy wash

Black cleaning sponge

Now Scrubs

These highly abrasive, heavy-duty sponges are meant for cleaning stubborn, baked-on stains on hard surfaces. You may not go through it as often as others, but for some tough cleaning jobs, only a rough black sponge will suffice.

Color-coded sponges reduce the risk of contamination

A person holds a pink sponge under running water

Using sponges strategically will reduce wear and tear on your kitchen surfaces.

Simple/Getty Images

A systematic approach to kitchen hygiene often includes color-coded cleaning tools to ensure proper organization and cleanliness. This simple visual system ensures that a sponge used only in heavily soiled areas (or biohazard jobs) is not accidentally used on clean glassware, silverware or dishes. Because trust us, your guests will notice it.

By creating and following this clear, color-coded system, you can reduce the spread of germs, keep your kitchen safer and ensure that more delicate items are handled with the utmost care. Plus, you’ll finally have a legitimate reason to own a rainbow of colorful foam.

For more cleaning tips, see our previous guardian’s tips on Clean the bathroom like a pro And find out who All-purpose cleaner It was the best in our tests.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *