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DIY Reusable Sponges // Unsponges – Zero Waste Kitchen Scrubbers Tutorial

What I love about these reusable sponges is they are so easy to make, use up all those “what-shall-I-do-with-this” type of scrap fabric, are useful, and so pretty. The big bonus is they are zero waste sponges – using what you probably already have lying around at home.

We call them ‘unsponges’ because there is no polyurethane sponge in them. In our bid to be more eco-conscious and reuse and recycle, the unsponge hits all the right buttons. While the ubiquitous little yellow sponges are a kitchen staple for cleaning, the polyurethane foam they are made from comes from fossil fuels involving plenty of CO2, and we are all aware of the need to reduce carbon emissions.

zero waste sponges vs disposable dish sponges

What I enjoy is the fact that you don’t need to store them out of sight – when they match your kitchen décor they can be on display. Also, because of the fabric being used they are not as likely to get clogged with kitchen gunk and discolour like the polyurethane sponges – you know that nasty looking greyish yellow tinge they take on after a couple of uses.

Enter the unsponge; made from offcuts of fabric, reused vegetable bag mesh or heavy duty tulle and some wadding or fibre-fill, it weighs in as more sustainable  than the throwaway sponges. This zero waste sponge can be reused over and over – just make sure to rinse and dry between uses.

Basically polyester fabric wears well, so it is best suited to these reusable sponges. Choose themed fabrics or just use up whatever you have that is suitable – meaning the fabric is hard wearing and quick drying. Organise your completed sponges into color themed packs as presents – five little unsponges tied with a pretty ribbon are a nifty gift. Once you see how easy they are to make you’re going to want to make lots of them. I can visualise them in red and white polka dots, black and white stripes, watermelon pink and green, sunflower yellow.

Enough chit-chat – let’s get going on these. Sort through your fabric scraps to find pieces that fit the downloadable pattern. Check your cupboards to find some vegetable mesh bags you can reuse or buy some heavy duty tulle. Why mesh bags or tulle you may ask? These fabrics will give the ‘scrub’ to your sponge so the dirt comes off the dishes faster. When the sponge mesh or tulle is looking a bit worn simply use your quick unpick tool, remove the fiber fill and fluff it up with a comb before setting it aside to refill the unsponge. Unpick the rest of the unsponge – the fabric should still be fine, remove the worn mesh part and substitute two new pieces then follow steps 6 to 9 below

So here we go, step-by-step VIDEO tutorial and instructions to making a bunch of little unsponges.

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How to make a Reusable sponge

Supplies and tools

DOWNLOAD: Reusable sponge (unsponge) pattern (Free PDF file)

Follow us for free patterns & tutorials! [easy-profiles]

How To Sew a Zero waste sponge

Watch the diy sponge video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

DIY KITCHEN SPONGES VIDEO TUTORIAL

DIY SPONGE INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Download and print the unsponge pattern

Don’t print directly from the browser (this sometimes skews the pattern). Instead use Adobe Reader or a similar program to open the file. Make sure you print it at 100% (no scale) and trim any excess paper.

STEP 2: Cut fabrics according to pattern

Lay out your pattern on the fabric pieces you have selected. A strong cotton or polyester fabric is recommended.

Cut a front and back piece for the sponge. They need not be the same color – maybe a stripe or print in blue and a plain blue?

Cut two layers of tulle or vegetable bag mesh, the same size as the front and back of the sponge. Lastly, cut 2 pieces of batting*

You’ll end up with 6 identically sized fabric pieces.

*If you don’t have batting you can use silicone stuffing instead. If you want your reusable sponge to have more ‘body’ use 4 layers of batting!

STEP 3: Layer the fabrics

Lay down one piece of fabric – probably the patterned one, right side up, then over it layer two pieces of tulle or mesh, then the other fabric piece with the wrong side facing up and lastly put the two pieces of batting.

STEP 4: Pin

Pin into place, and don’t forget to leave a 1 inch opening for turning.

STEP 5: Stitch around

Sew around the four sides, with a ¼ inch seam allowance, and leaving a gap of around 1 ½ to 2 inches on one side to enable you to turn the unsponge.

 

STEP 6: Clip and turn right side out

Clip across the corners so you do not have excess fabric puckering the corners, then turn the sponge, pulling the fabric through the gap. Use a knitting needle or chopstick to ensure the corners are pushed out neatly. You will have the mesh on one side of the sponge and a plain side.

*** OPTIONAL: If using silicone filling instead of batting:

Fill the sponge with fiber fill making sure it is nice and puffy – with use it will get flatter so you want to make sure it’s really plumped up to start with.

STEP 7: Stitch the gap

Turn in the raw edges of the gap and run a seam around the diy sponge ¼ “ from the edge, followed by another ½” from the edge. This will close the gap and will ensure the wadding does not move during use.

If you don’t want to see the stitching, just slip stitch the gap by hand.

All done– your first unsponge is ready to put to use.

Check out our easy video tutorial to see exactly how easy it is to make reusable sponges, then start using up all your odds and ends for these zero waste sponges. Share the idea with friends or even better, make them their own little stash of unsponges for all occasions.

TIPS for Sewing and Using the reusable kitchen sponge alternative

  1. To make hanging up the unsponge easy, stitch a small length of the same fabric into a short strap and insert into the gap before closing with the machine stitching in Step 9 above.
  2. Rinse unsponges after use with a disinfectant or use a color safe bleach to keep them hygienic, wring out, then leave on a sunny windowsill to dry, or toss in the washing machine with a load.
  3. Remember, disposable dish sponges come in packs of multiples. This kitchen sponge alternative is no different – make at least 3  so you can rotate through them and always have one on hand.

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reusable sponges - unsponges

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 23 comments
Marielle - January 13, 2021

Great idea so they can be thrown in the wash! Thanks for sharing this tutorial!

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    Jayne - February 12, 2022

    Amazing, I love it. I used terry cloth instead of cotton because that is all I had and it worked. Thank you.

    Reply
    Helen - February 14, 2022

    Perfect! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
Mama Duizendpoot - January 17, 2021

This is still on my to-diy list. It is so much better to have one you van wash…instead of throwing away. Thank you for reminding me.

And thank tot sharing in our monthly ‘Creatieve linkparty’. If you have more 3D creations, deel free tot share these as well. Let’s inspire eachother?

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Naush Samama - January 18, 2021

Helen, you always come up with such ingenious fabric creations !! Thank you for sharing this fabulous tutorial with us at Meraki Link Party.
See you this evening.
Much love
Naush

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Jennifer Dynys - January 18, 2021

These are so cute! I may try this! Thank you for sharing with us at Embracing Home and Family! I am featuring these on Friday!

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chickenruby - January 20, 2021

A great way to use old old material scraps and recycling the fruit nets.
Thanks for linking with #pocolo and hope to see you back later this week

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    Helen - January 22, 2022

    Great to hear that, Ruby! Thank you for your good comments and review.

    Reply
Stephanie 139a - January 21, 2021

These are going on my to-sew list! Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo

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Alexandra - January 22, 2021

I keep coming back to this post this week. My sewing skills are pretty basic, but this is one I’d like to try. I’m curious how it lathers… You’ll find it featured at this week’s Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party.

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Cindy Rust - January 25, 2021

Omogoodness, I love this project!!! Thanks so much for sharing it! Your video had me tapping my toes! pinning!

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Sue - February 1, 2021

I made two of these to try them out and they are great! I use the mesh from a citrus bag.

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    Helen - February 2, 2021

    Awesome! Thanks for sharing that with us

    Reply
Donna @ Modern on Monticello - March 31, 2021

I don’t like to use sponges because they do turn colors and look gross! But I love this project and definitely could get behind using these instead. So glad you shared it with us this week. #HomeMattersParty

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Darlene - November 15, 2021

Looks like a great idea! I want to make some. Just an FYI: I think you may have forgotten to tell us when to put the batting into the layers before sewing them all together. I didn’t see it, so I watched the video and saw it then.

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    Helen - November 16, 2021

    Thank you for spotting that! You put the batting last after you layer all other pieces. I went ahead and changed step 3 to make it more clear

    Reply
DeVon - July 6, 2022

This great! My family is getting unpaper towels and matching dish sponges for Christmas. Thank you

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Heather - July 6, 2022

Another great option instead of tulle, are the net bags from clementines for example.

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SpinninJenny - August 8, 2022

I love this project!! How does the mesh do in the washer and dryer? I’d hate for the mesh to melt! I’m looking forward to exploring your site, such neat ideas!

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    Helen - August 8, 2022

    I just put them through the washer and NOT in the dryer

    Reply
Pat - January 19, 2023

I am going to try these, I have made scrubbies by crocheting with the “tulle”, I call it netting and yarn together. They work really well for scrubbing, but this will be faster and useful for washing dishes as well. Thanks for the idea.

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GrandmaSue - June 30, 2024

At the beginning of this article, you mention using towls instead of batting. Then in the pattern you say use 4 layers of batting. HUH?

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    Helen - September 22, 2024

    I re-read the article and I find no mention of using towels instead of batting. It was always batting in the first place and they use 2 layers of batting not 4. The pattern has two sizes of the reusable sponges – standard and large
    You can however use towels instead, I think it would still work well

    Reply

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