Reducing our plastic waste has been a big focus in our household for a number of years now and steering away from washing up sponges made from plastic fibres was something that we were eager to do as soon as we realised how damaging microplastics are – not just for the waterways and environment but also our own health. I’d tried and liked many of the alternatives that were available including wooden brushes, metal scourers and reusable cloths but there hadn’t yet been an eco dupe of the traditional washing up sponge… Until I discovered the Seep eco sponge scourer. With its natural materials that are kind to the planet, your health and also compostable, these sounded like the perfect solution. We started using them in January 2023 (for transparency the brand asked to work with me to test them out for social media) and we loved them so much that we have become regular customers. So, I thought it was about time I wrote a blog review on these fantastic Seep eco sponges so you can see for yourself just how easy some eco-swaps can be…
Founded in 2020 by Laura who was struggling to find eco-cleaning tools, Seep is a brand on a mission. A mission to ditch plastic waste from our cleaning routines, to reduce microplastics from entering our waterways, to provide a safer option for all the family and to prevent more waste from going to landfill. From biodegradable/compostable sponges to wooden brushes, bamboo cloths, eco rubber gloves, copper scourers and more, the range at Seep is designed to beeffective, long-lasting and easy to use.
“Our values run through everything we do here at Seep and what keeps us clear on our mission of saving 1 billion cleaning tools from landfill by 2030”
Seep
Seep is also a B Corp-certified brand, meaning they’re serious about sustainability and ethics. Their products are plastic-free and carbon-neutral, materials are sustainably sourced, they treat and pay all their workers fairly and they support charities like Food Cycle, The Hygiene Bank and The Felix Project.
Seep Eco Sponge Scourer Review
First Impressions
When I worked with Seep back in 2023, I was sent a package which included their eco sponge scourer (which is what I am going to focus more on here), pop up sponges and eco rubber gloves. The first noticeable thing for me on opening the box was the cardboard packaging. This is something I would always expect to see from a sustainable brand – sustainable materials used even in delivery. On top of being recyclable, the packaging was also substantial and the designs across all boxes were bright, fun and eye-catching. The Seep branding, in my opinion, is spot on, it grabs your attention, and it states exactly what the product is and what it does.
On removing the eco sponge scourers from their packaging I was really impressed by both the look and the feel. I had previously used other loofah washing up tools in the past and found them to be ok but not the easiest items to hold continuously during washing up – often large and bulky. The Seep eco sponge scourer felt well made, it fitted perfectly in my hand and I really liked the fact it had two sides – one soft made from cellulose and the other rough made from loofah.
Theeco washing up gloves looked and felt so much like their plastic counterpart meaning you get a similar feel and the same results but you can be happier knowing they are completely plastic free. The gloves also have ridges across the fingertips for improved hold but these can also be doubled up as a cleaning tool. The pop up sponges come looking like a thin sheet of card but as soon as you wet them, they transform into a soft, fluffy sponge – which is so fun to watch! Just take a look:
One side is made from loofah (this is a plant) – for scouring/scrubbing, easing away stuck on food
The other side is made from wood pulp cellulose – for easier washing up jobs
Sewn together with cotton
100% plastic free
Safe to use on non-stick pans
Using The Seep Eco SpongeScourer
You use the Seep eco sponge scourer in exactly the same way as other washing up sponges you may have used in the past. Simply add water and washing up liquid (you may need to soften it a little in hot water before use) and use the cellulose side for normal jobs and the scourer side for your tougher jobs. I have used ours every day since we switched to this brand and they are really effective on most washing up. The only things I don’t use this sponge on are baking trays, really stubborn/messy cooking items (where sauces are often used) and oily items simply because I know a sponge will absorb grease/oil and my wooden washing up brush can tackle these better with the bristles releasing the dirt rather than soaking it up. Having a variety of washing up tools that work well together means all will last longer and you will get the best washing up experience.
Longevity
Over the last two years, I have found these sponges to work brilliantly which is precisely why we continued to be customers. They last absolutely ages and they wash well in the washing machine – which prolongs their usage. Seep also states that you can pop their sponges into the top rack of your dishwasher for cleaning too. In terms of lifespan, the brand says that 89% of their customers report that they can use their sponges for 4 weeks or more and I can most definitely verify that. With plastic sponges lasting for around 2 weeks, Seep sponges double that.
Safe Disposal
Once your eco sponge scourers start to fall apart, they are ready to be disposed of and if you have a home compost bin they can be popped in here where they will breakdown quickly and effectively. I love home compostingas it is a great way of reducing your household waste and getting compost for free! I go through quite a lot in my garden and I haven’t ever had an issue with the sponges sticking around for long. They do what they are designed to do – be a fab product for washing up and leaving no trace at the end of life. If you are aiming to find morezero-waste products, this one is for you. If you don’t have a home compost bin your local authority may accept these in your food waste collections (always check first) or maybe a neighbour or family member has a compost bin you could add your waste to?
Costs
I know that costs are at the forefront of everyone’s minds at the moment and that eco products do get a bit of a reputation for being “pricey” or “unaffordable” which is something I have written about previouslyas I think in most cases this isn’t at all true. You see, eco products are usually long-lasting and many are reusable meaning you can go years and years without needing to replace them. On top of this, you are helping to pay for fair wages and working conditions and receiving a good quality/safe product. There are many reasons to shop eco, I promise. Anyway, I could go on and on but I won’t, so now let’s take a look at the costs of the Seep eco sponge scourer:
A pack of 4 sponges costs £9.50 making each sponge £2.37 at the time of writing this review. Or you could opt to purchase their year’s supply which is 12 sponges at £25 (you save 12%) which makes each one £2.08. If you washed these and took care of them you may even get longer out of each making them even more economical AND I can help you save another 15% with my code emmawrites which can be used across their website. This would make the year’s supply £21.25 meaning each sponge will cost you £1.77. Not too bad eh?!
I know someone is going to say that the plastic ones are still cheaper, but by purchasing from a brand like Seep you will be helping to make a difference to the environment, a worker’s life/pay and your own health – we all now have microplastics in our bodies with the estimated number being from around tens of thousands to over 170 trillion. How scary is that? By making this one switch you can help to reduce that.
Overall Thoughts
Well, you can probably tell that I love this little eco sponge. It is useful, works well, lasts for ages, can be washed then reused, is plastic free, sustainable, compostable and good for the planet – the brand has worked hard to tick so many boxes. If you also like the look of this and maybe the sound of the other products I touched on, you can check them all out over on Seep’s Website and don’t forget to add my code at the checkout.
If you are eager to make more eco swaps to your lifestyle you may also like:
*This post contains an affiliate code which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase and use this. This will not affect your shopping experience. For more information please refer to my disclosure page.
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