31 Cleaning Sponge Hacks that are Insanely Useful (And That Work)

If you’re like most people, you probably dread cleaning your house or apartment.

*raises hand*

It seems like there’s always something that needs to be done, and it can be hard to know where to start.

But over the years, I’ve used some insanely useful cleaning hacks that make cleaning fun and that actually work.

One of my favorite ways to clean is with a cleaning sponge.

You read that right!

Sponges can get into all the nooks and crannies that other cleaners can’t reach, and they’re perfect for tackling tough jobs.

Sponge cleaning is an easy and cheap option to help you deep clean your house and get rid of all the dirt, dust and grime that has built up over time.

All you need is a sponge for cleaning and a little bit of elbow grease!

Let’s look at the different cleaning sponge options and then get right into the thirty-one cleaning sponge hacks that you ABSOLUTELY need to try!

7 Different Cleaning Sponges for Cleaning

1. Dish sponge

There are many types of dish sponges for washing caked-on pots and pans but the one I use the most and like the most (because it works for scrubbing off anything) is the Multi-Purpose Scrub Sponges by Scrub- it.

It has a scrubbing side for pots and pans and a soft side for washing glass.

Other scrubbers that work well are Mr. Siga Non-Scratch Cellulose Sponge and O-Cedar Scrunge.

For an organic cleaning sponge, I like using Practical Matter sponges.

And, for a natural scrubbing sponge, the Zen Living Natural Sponge is eco-friendly and does a great job washing dishes.

2. Wall cleaning sponge

The Magic Eraser is the #1 wall magic cleaning sponge.

This cleaning sponge can remove marker and other stains on your wall.

This cleaning scrubber is tough on dirt, all around the house!

Surface cleaner, wall cleaner, bathtub cleaner, bathroom cleaner, oven door cleaner, erases marks on light switches, doors & much more!

3. Oven cleaning sponge

To clean heavy duty, burnt and caked on food on oven grates and the bottom of the oven, use a scouring pad with a bit of elbow grease to do the job.

These super strong and durable scour pads will help you to keep your dishes and household appliances sparkling clean after every use. Simply, these little fellows do all the hard work for you!

4. Glass cleaning sponge

To clean glass ware like your wine glasses, using a long handled sponge for cleaning is your safest choice – and the Dawn Ultra is the best.

This brush is perfect for keeping your glasses, bottles, plates, pots, pans and more clean and spotless without scratching surfaces.

The sponge head builds up bubbles and foam with just a drop of soap for a long-lasting lather while the rounded shape easily cleans hard-to-reach places.

5. Sponge for cleaning bathroom

The best cleaning sponge for cleaning the bathroom is a heavy duty one. The Brillo Heavy Duty sponge is durable enough to handle frequent scrubbing. And with the soft side, it won’t scratch your sink or bathtub.

This sponge is perfect not only for the bathroom, but also for kitchen and general home use.

6. Shoe cleaning sponge

The perfect shoe cleaning sponge is the SneakERASERS Sneaker Cleaner sponge.

Sneaker Cleaner is the easiest, gentlest, and most effective way to clean dirty soles and midsoles.

It’s a miracle erasing sponge gets rid of scuff marks, dirt stains, and other spots from your shoe’s soles and midsoles with just water!

The more you swipe your shoes – the easier it gets.

Simply wet each pad with water then gently rub it over your shoes’ surfaces.

That’s all there is to it!

7. Dry cleaning sponge

Looking for a waterless cleaning product that can take care of walls, blinds, wallpaper, and lamp shades?

The ProPlus Dry Cleaning Sponge is a unique sponge that can be used to clean surfaces without water – making it ideal for quick clean-ups or for use in areas where you don’t want to get wet.

The dry cleaning sponge is also effective for removing soot from smoke-covered surfaces, making it a choice product of fire restoration professionals.

Best Cleaning Sponge Is…

So, what’s the best sponge for cleaning?

My all-time, hands down favorite cleaning sponge is the Skoy Scrub!

Doesn’t it just look cute and colorful?

It works fantastic on cast iron, cleans microwaves easily, can be used on your ceramic stovetop (very gentle though) and is a good alternative to steel wool.

It’s everything!

Okay –

Let’s get to what we are here for!

31 Cleaning Sponge Hacks That *Really* Work

There are a many hacks for cleaning your home with sponges that you may not have thought of!

You’ll find you can use sponges for many things after reading this post!

So, before you start scrubbing away, check out these sponge cleaning hacks.

1. Soak a sponge in vinegar

Soak a sponge in vinegar to get rid of hard water stains and mineral deposits.

Vinegar is a great natural cleaner that can be used to clean many thing around your home.

To remove these stubborn marks, soak a cleaning sponge in vinegar and use it to wipe down the affected area.

The vinegar will help break down the build-up and restore the surface to its original condition.

2. Use a microwave-safe sponge

If you’re looking for an easy way to clean the inside of your microwave, using a microwave-safe sponge – like this one – is the way to go. Here are the steps:

  • Get your cleaning sponge and wet it with water.
  • Place the sponge in the microwave and heat it for about 30 seconds.
  • Take the cleaning sponge out of the microwave and use it to scrub the inside of your microwave.
  • Rinse the sponge off with water and place it back in the microwave.
  • Heat the sponge for another 30 seconds and use it to scrub the inside of your microwave again.
  • Rinse the sponge off with water and let it air dry.

3. Keep a slightly damp sponge in your refrigerator

If you’re looking for a natural way to absorb food smells from your refrigerator, try using a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda.

Baking soda is a great absorbent, and it will help to keep your fridge smelling fresh.

This beats using an entire box of baking soda!

4. Use a cleaning sponge for your lint

When it comes to cleaning lint off of clothes, a sponge can be an incredibly handy tool.

Use a damp cleaning sponge (clean one too!) and rub it over clothes to collect the lint from pets or dust.

5. Use a damp sponge to clean your windows

Window cleaning can be… well time consuming and a little boring.

Well, it doesn’t have to be with the proper tool!

What proper tool is that? One of the most effective tools for cleaning windows is a damp sponge.

A damp sponge can quickly remove any built-up dirt or grime on your window.

It also doesn’t require any harsh chemicals, which can be harmful to both you and the environment.

And, a damp sponge leaves your windows streak-free!

6. Use a sponge to dust your ceiling fan blades

Isn’t this such a cool hack?

I have a floor fan that I can take the front grate off and all I do is get a slightly damp sponge and just like cleaning lint (cleaning hack #4), I can remove the build-up of dust on my fans!

Genius I tell you!

7. Use a sponge to clean your computer keyboard

It’s not difficult to understand why computer keyboards get dirty, right?

Between the oils from our skin, the dust that everywhere in your home, and the occasional spill, it’s a wonder that the computer keyboard doesn’t turn black with grime!

Well, a cleaning sponge can fix all of that!

Cleaning a keyboard is a super easy task, and you probably have everything you need to do it right now.

All you need is a sponge and some water!

That’s it!

Just wet your sponge and get to work! Use a towel to wipe off excess water and wait to use it until it’s completely dry.

Oh, make sure you take the batteries out of your keyboard and turn off your computer if it’s attached.

8. Use a sponge to clean the inside of your car’s windshield

Windshields can get dirty quickly, and, I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the time to take their car to a professional to get it cleaned.

And, frankly it’s an unnecessary cost when I can clean my car’s windshield at home….with a cleaning sponge!

That’s why using a sponge to clean the inside of your windshield is the best choice!

A sponge will help you clean all the dirt and dust off your windshield without having to use any harsh chemicals and it’s not expensive to get.

Plus, it’s easy to find a sponge at any local store or online when you do your next grocery order!

To clean your windshield with a sponge, start by wetting the cleaning sponge with some water.

Then, rub the sponge all over the inside of your windshield.

Be sure to focus on the areas that are most dirty. Once you’re finished, rinse the sponge out with some water and dry your windshield with a clean cloth.

Easy peasy!

9. Microwave your cleaning sponge

Microwaving your sponge is one of the best ways to sanitize it.

The high heat will kill any bacteria or microorganisms that may be living on the sponge.

Sponges are a common breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s important to sanitize them often.

To sanitize your cleaning sponge, place the wet sponge in a bowl in the microwave for about 1 minute and let it cool before taking it out.

Your cleaning sponge will be sanitized

My daughter loves doing this sponge cleaning hack every night!

10. Use a sponge to clean your blinds

In my Tik Tok cleaning hacks post I give you a cool hack to DUST your blinds!

Now, I want to give you a cleaning hack to CLEAN your blinds!

A sponge is a great cleaning tool for cleaning your blinds because it easily absorbs any liquids that may be on the blinds, which makes it a better cleaning tool than something like a cloth or paper towel.

Paper, when wet, rips and while you can use a micrfiber cloth, most cloths are too large and can damage your blinds.

With a sponge, you can CUT your sponge to the right size to clean your blinds!

Just be sure to wring out the sponge well before using it on your blinds so that you don’t accidentally soak them.

11. Use a sponge to clean your baseboards

Baseboards are often forgotten when it comes to cleaning (I know I often forget!) but they can easily become dirty and dusty.

Pets or kids can also be hard on them, so it’s important to clean and dust them regularly.

We recently renovated our upstairs and the hallway baseboards always attract dust and grime.

But using a cleaning sponge to clean them is an awesome cleaning hack because sponges get in all nooks and crannies.

Use a slightly wet sponge (and if you want – I saw on Tik Tok to also use liquid fabric softer to help avoid more dust) and wipe them on your baseboard to clean up dust and pet hair and anything else.

Dry with a microfiber cloth right after!

12. Use a sponge to clean your walls

While the magic eraser is great for crayon or marker stains, over time walls can become grimey or just attract gooey stuff, especially if it’s a kitchen wall.

I would not use a magic eraser for that job!

Instead, opt for a Skoy Srub sponge to really tackle the job.

Get a bowl of warm water, a splash of vinegar and a squirt of Dawn dish soap.

Then scrub and wash your walls.

This makes a great spring cleaning task!

13. Use a sponge to clean your bathroom mirror

Sponge make for a great cleaning tool they are a soft and absorbent material.

A cleaning sponge will not leave streaks on a mirror if it is used correctly.

To clean your mirror using a sponge, spray your mirror with either vinegar or rubbing alcohol and then, with a slightly damp sponge, wipe your mirror.

Follow up with a microfiber clothe in case you see some areas that need to be “buffed.”

14. Use a sponge to clean soap scum off shower doors

A sponge is a perfect tool for cleaning soap scum off shower doors. Why?

The cleaning sponge is soft enough to avoid scratching the glass, but firm enough to remove the gunk.

Plus, a sponge can get into all the nooks and crannies to clean every bit of soap scum off the door.

To get started with this cleaning hack, wet the sponge and use the miracle soap scum spray to spray your shower doors.

Wait a few minutes for the spray to work breaking down the scum (this natural spray also works for ring around the tub!).

Use a scrubbing sponge to wash soap scum on the door until it is gone.

Be sure to rinse the door thoroughly afterwards to remove any suds. If there is still some soap scum left behind, repeat the process until all soap scrum is gone.

Cleaning shower doors with a sponge is an easy way to get them looking sparkling clean in just a few minutes.

So go ahead and give this cleaning hack a try!

15. Use a damp sponge to wipe down your kitchen counters

Everyone knows – you gotta clean your kitchen counters daily to keep them sanitary and looking clean.

A damp cleaning sponge is the perfect tool for the job – it will get the counters clean without leaving any streaks or residue behind.

Be sure to rinse the sponge out after each use and wring it out thoroughly before putting it away.

16. Use a sponge to polish your stainless steel appliances

Because sponges have soft textures and can soak up water, they’re the perfect hard-working cleaning supply to give appliances like your stainless steel fridge or toaster a lovely, shiny surface.

Just add a few drops of dish soap into the sponge and use it to buff out any finger prints on your appliances.

17. Use a sponge to clean your oven window

Oven windows always seem to get grime on them, right? And, it can be really hard to clean.

But a sponge can easily get the grime off your oven window.

  • Wet your cleaning sponge and squeeze out any excess water.
  • Use 409 heavy oven spray with the sponge and spread it around the oven window.
  • Let the oven spray sit on the window for a few minutes.
  • Wipe the window clean with the sponge.
  • Rinse the sponge off and wipe it dry.

18. Wet a sponge and freeze it to use as an ice pack

A cool cleaning sponge hack I’ve been seeing all over Tik Tok and Youtube is to use a wet sponge in place of an ice pack!

Genius, right?

If you don’t have an ice pack for your lunch or for going out just prepare a wet sponge and place it in a freezer bag for 24 hours or so.

Boom! You have an ice pack!

19. Use a sponge to replace soap

Isn’t it the worst when you’re showering and you realize there is barely any soap left to wash your body?

A cool sponge cleaning hack is to get a larger sponge so you can cut the middle of it out and place your remaining soap in it.

Then your sponge will be your new bar of soap!

Personally, don’t use this method for weeks at a time! Try it once to see, but if you end up seeing mold, ditch this hack!

20. Use a sponge to clean your car’s dashboard

Using a sponge to clean your car’s dashboard is a simple cleaning hack that only requires a few steps.

First, make sure the area is dry and free of debris.

Next, wet the sponge with soapy water and wring it out so that it is damp.

Finally, wipe the dashboard in a circular motion until it is clean.

Be sure to rinse the sponge and wring it out between each swipe to avoid streaks.

21. Use a sponge to clean the lint trap on your dryer

A sponge can be a handy, cost-effective cleaning tool for cool cleaning hack!

Simply wet the sponge, wring out all the excess water and rub it gently against the lint until up and down or from top to bottom.

Rinse by swishing under fresh running water.

It’s important clean your lint trap frequently to avoid a buildup of gunk that could cause mold and mildew to grow.

If you have a self-cleaning lint trap, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for how often to clean it.

In general, it’s a good idea to give it a once-over with a sponge every few months to prevent any buildup.

22. Use a sponge to dust your bookshelves

Dusting your bookshelves can a cleaning task you often miss or forget (I know I do).

But it doesn’t have to be! All you need is a sponge and some water.

To dust your bookshelves, simply wet your sponge, wring it out, and then use it to wipe down the shelves (remember to remove the books and items from the bookshelf first).

You may also want to use a little bit of dish soap if there is a lot of built-up dirt or dust.

Give it a try and see how easy it is!

23. Use a sponge to clean your shower head

To clean your shower head the easy way, use a sponge!

And, to be honest here, having a method that you will ACTUALLY use too!

Get a bowl full of hot water and a soap scrum cleaner (this Scrub Daddy PowerPaste works fantastic!) and soak the shower head for a few minutes with the paste and water.

What I do is pour hot water over the shower head a few times, then apply the paste and wait a few minutes.

Then, I use a scrubbing sponge to clean the shower head.

Start at the top and work your way down, using a circular motion. Rinse the sponge often to keep it clean.

When you’re finished, remove the sponge and rinse the shower head with water.

If your shower head is really dirty, you can try using vinegar to clean it.

Pour vinegar into a plastic bag and attach the bag to the shower head with a rubber band.

Let the vinegar sit on the shower head for an hour. Then, rinse the shower head with water.

24. Use a sponge to clean your grout lines

Have you ever tried using a sponge to clean your grout lines?

If not, then you should definitely give it a try!

It’s an easy and quick way to get rid of any dirt or residue, and the results are amazing.

Just wet a sponge in hot water, pour some water onto the grout lines and rub some baking soda on the them. Wait a few minutes.

Use the scrubbing side of the sponge to work the baking soda into the grout. Rinse it off and you’ll immediately see a difference!

Trust me, this method works like a charm and your tile will look brand new in no time.

So next time you’re your tile, give this sponge technique a try and see for yourself how well it works!

25. Keep soap dry

A quick cleaning hack is if you use bar soap to wash your hands, you can place a sponge underneath so that the sponge keeps dry when not in use.

26. Replace dryer sheets with a sponge!

What an amazing sponge cleaning hack!

Get a small plastic bin with a lid, fill with a lavender (or preferred scent) fabric softer.

Then get a pack of regular sponges (without the scrubbing side) and cut them into little rectangle pieces.

Store them in the solution (dunk half way so you can easily grab the sponges without getting the solution on your fingers).

When you need them, pull them and pop them into the dryer with wet clothes and hit dry!

4 More Cleaning Sponge Hacks You Gotta Try

  • 28. Clean vents easily – use the Magic eraser and a little bit of warm water to clean your vents
  • 29. Clean your shower curtain – instead of throwing away another vinyl shower curtain try using the Magic eraser to scrub the shower curtain for a quick fix. But, go ahead and throw your shower curtain in the washing machine to sanitize it!
  • 30. Use a sponge to clean your light fixtures – for your dining room light fixutre use a slightly damp sponge to clean all the nooks and crannies.
  • 31. Clean the inside of your washing machine – with the soft side of the Scrub Daddy, after a clean washer cycle, use the Scrub Daddy to wash the washing machine tub and – if you have a front loader – the ring.

Cleaning Hacks With Only a Sponge!

There you have it!

These are just a few of the MANY cleaning hacks that can be done with a sponge.

We hope you found this post helpful and will give some of these tips a try.

Do you have any favorite cleaning tricks that use sponges?

Share them in the comments below – I’d love to hear them!

And remember to pin me (and follow me on Pinterest!)!