Whilst out for lunch in town the other day I decided to kill some time browsing the shelves in my local Robert Dyas store. I had no intention to buy anything, but when I stubbled across a POS display of Squidgy Things my curiosity got the better of me and I couldn't help but pick one up and feel its unusual texture in my hands.
It's made with silicone and, as the 100% biodegradable packaging claims, it is a hygienic and reusable silicone washing up sponge. Well, if you've ever accidentally smelt the smell of a week old washing up sponge, you'll know that I was sold on the hygiene claim alone. The fact that it is presented as a more environmentally friendly (and cheaper in the long run) alternative to throwing away lots of regular washing up sponges I considered a bonus.
As I continued around the store brushing the soft silicone bristles between my fingers, I began to wonder whether it would actually work. The bristles didn't feel robust enough to tackle the encrusted porridge bowls left out from breakfast.
I decided that for £2.99 it was most certainly worth a punt.
So how did it hold up?
I've been using the squidgy thing as my main washing up tool for the past week and it doesn't stink! It's also surprising easy to clean. I simply spray it with antibacterial surface cleanser and rinse thoroughly under the hot tap when I'm done washing up. So is it more hygienic than a regular washing up sponge? Yes. It certainly seems so.
However, as I suspected, it doesn't quite have the scrubbing power of an ordinary washing up sponge, but it does work perfectly adequately on most surfaces. It works particularly well to wash awkward items like kitchen gadgets and cheese graters, but it doesn't get into all the crevices of a pan handle easily. I've found that folding it in half works better when working around these sorts of items, and maybe it's just a different technique that I need to get used to.
I am nonetheless very happy with my squidgy thing. I think it presents good value for money and is worth the £2.99 investment. Although I'm sure it won't last forever, I am grateful that it will save me from any accidentally-smelt smelly week-old sponge experiences for weeks to come.
As I continued around the store brushing the soft silicone bristles between my fingers, I began to wonder whether it would actually work. The bristles didn't feel robust enough to tackle the encrusted porridge bowls left out from breakfast.
I decided that for £2.99 it was most certainly worth a punt.
So how did it hold up?
I've been using the squidgy thing as my main washing up tool for the past week and it doesn't stink! It's also surprising easy to clean. I simply spray it with antibacterial surface cleanser and rinse thoroughly under the hot tap when I'm done washing up. So is it more hygienic than a regular washing up sponge? Yes. It certainly seems so.
However, as I suspected, it doesn't quite have the scrubbing power of an ordinary washing up sponge, but it does work perfectly adequately on most surfaces. It works particularly well to wash awkward items like kitchen gadgets and cheese graters, but it doesn't get into all the crevices of a pan handle easily. I've found that folding it in half works better when working around these sorts of items, and maybe it's just a different technique that I need to get used to.
I am nonetheless very happy with my squidgy thing. I think it presents good value for money and is worth the £2.99 investment. Although I'm sure it won't last forever, I am grateful that it will save me from any accidentally-smelt smelly week-old sponge experiences for weeks to come.
