The Best Kitchen Cleaning Tools and Tips | Gear Heads
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- Опубліковано 11 тра 2024
- If you love cooking, cleaning is unavoidable. From dishes to counters to pots and pans, we have a few products we recommend to make cleaning easier, faster, and keep your tools in tip-top shape.
Hannah’s Favorites:
Dish soap: amzn.to/3zyqcYz
Paper towels: amzn.to/35uMigP
All-purpose cleaner: amzn.to/3q48GHk
Lisa’s Favorites:
Sponge: cooks.io/2lWOERU
Scrub Brush: amzn.to/3zvrymS
Jonathan’s Spoon: amzn.to/3vwfv5v
Teak spoon: amzn.to/2UfkCKw
Mineral oil: amzn.to/3gzsnn4
All-Clad pan: amzn.to/3xvFBaq
Bar Keeper’s Friend: amzn.to/2TIecDb
Follow Lisa on Instagram: / lisam_atk
Follow Hannah on Instagram: / hannah_crowley8
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13:54: The powder, not the liquid.
15:41: When I am MIFFED, I pull out some Bar Keepers and a soiled pot and scrub until I am fatigued. Saves lives😂
Saves lives 😂😂😂
@@cristinaortolani4092 I thought the same thing. New criteria for testing = lives saved. LOL😂😂
What's miffed
Often when you get a bottle of mineral oil there is a protective foil seal when you remove the cap the first time. Instead of peeling the foil off I like to leave it and poke a small hole in it so I can squirt it out in a thin stream, gives me more control.
I do the same with vegetable oil, just cut a slit in the foil. Works especially good for those big bottles and makes measuring much easier.
The last couple of bottles of baby oil I bought had a second layer under the safety seal that already had a small hole in it, for just that reason. It makes accurately dispensing viscous liquids a LOT easier.
Me too!
I do that too. That also works for rubbing alcohol. You know who didn't have to rush out and buy good cleaning products when Covid-19 hit? This person. I was just annoyed when 3 months in and started to need replacing my usuals. I'm a little over stocked right now. Cleaning products keep.
Are you a chef? This is a tip I learned from a chef @ Italian Embassy
I know this is a kitchen/cooking show, but barkeepers best friend cleaner also does amazing at cleaning glass shower doors/enclosures. It gets soap scum and the grime off the glass and leaving it crystal clear. That stuff is truly incredible.
I am so going to try this tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.
@@kristyrash927 Same!
Hi! Do you use the liquid or powder for your shower doors? I just moved into a place with clear glass shower doors and I'm looking at them wondering the best way to keep them spotless. We got a squeegee and I have the liquid version because I heard it works wonders on the glass top stoves, which I've never had before.
Method also has a product for cleaning glass shower doors. Works incredibly well; spray on, wipe off.
@@ReeImagined I have tried the liquid and it just doesn’t work as well as the powder. I love BKF.
Hannah and Lisa are hy far the best presenters on this channel. What a joy to hear their reports.
They’re fun!
Hannah…good hire. Great energy. She should be a host of the show (if she likes to cook). Younger people relate to her because she’s authentic.
It is so nice to have all my no-substitute-allowed choices affirmed, lol! One thing, though, that I would love to see a review on are the special micro-fiber cloths which claim to remove 98% of bacteria. E-cloth and Norwex and the like.
I like that, too - all my no-substitute -allowed choices affirmed! 45 years in the kitchen and there we are!
Now after we've been sold the microfiber nothing-but-water-needed sales pitches for many years, it seems that over time when those synthetics break down and follow the eco-chain to their end, those components break down into teeny little plastic beads -- finding their way into the wastewater locations including the oceans and other bodies of water that house wildlife and ironically many of our food sources, as well as traditional solid waste landfills. I tried one of those high priced cloths decades ago and was not as impressed as all the ads and UA-camrs claimed, so my choice is to use/reuse/recycle/repurpose very retired natural fiber rags [we only use cotton, linen, silk, hemp cloth fibers in this house for medical reasons] that have already served as clothing, bedding, etc., then as light dust rags, and when they cannot go any more, then they do their last service as rags that cannot be cleaned any more -- such as cleaning up the worst messes -- or, cleaning up those poor water fowl covered in petroleum products -- oil spills. ;-))
@Pam Chan That may not be a safe assumption. Bacteria can do things like make bio-films that cling to surfaces REALLY REALLY well. I read an article about disinfecting surfaces in a hospital that talked about it - I believe they found that wiping by itself isn’t adequate.
Have you ever tested Swedish dishcloths? I believe they are made from bamboo. If you don’t like using a sponge, I find these are amazing.
Re: paper towels (toilet paper, too) ... I always look at the size of the cardboard tube. I once bought Trader Joe's toilet paper, as the price SEEMED to be superior to other brands, in other stores.
It didn't last very long. Then, I noticed that the tube was huge, compared to other brands. So, less paper is rolled around them. It's a clever deception, in that the rolls appear to be of comparable size if you just look at the roll from a side view.
You should really be looking at square footage, as that's the true measure in terms of price, all other things being equal. It gets more difficult if something takes twice as much to be as effective as another brand, but manufacturers spend tons of money studying how people make purchase decisions, including visuals like that Trader Joe's brand that was designed to look bigger than it was.
Same here. Anther thing to pay attention to with these rolled paper products is how tightly they are rolled. Some rolls are a lot looser, therefore party of the rolls"size" is the airspace between layers which you can't see in this video clip comparing rolls size from the end view.
@@jennv.s.o.p1603 I like your baby(snake)🥰🐍
Paper towels list sheets per roll always check that.
I've noticed a lot of toilet paper doing the same lately as well
Every time I run the dishwasher, I throw our kitchen sponge on the top rack. Comes out nice and clean every time.
Beautiful baby. Is it a German Shepherd?🥰🐕
@@JabberJawz. yes, she’s a Dutch German Shepherd, long lineage of police dogs. She wasn’t suited for K-9 work, too mellow. But we’ve been through two courses in family protection, and she was a star. She adores our cats, so the mellow was a good fit ☺️ Third GSD we’ve owned, wonderful dogs!
Microwave your wet sponge 45 seconds for infection control.
If its very soapy its not a good idea trust me I learned the hard way
I microwave my sponges in a bowl of water.
I wonder how much more effective, if at all, basic surface cleaners like the Method one are compared to using dish soap and water. I just take a wet dish scrubbing brush with some soap on it and quickly brush the stove top and counters, then wipe them down. Always found that way more effective than any spray.
I have actually used the spray product they recommended here and did not find any significant difference at all. I went back to plain white vinegar or dish soap.
I use hot water & a little bit of Dawn to clean my counters. Then I just wipe them dry.
My family thinks I am weird because I do the same you do, mostly because I hate the scents of other cleaners especially the stove ones
O Cedar sponge is the greatest invention ever. Based on your other video, I bought a pack. Gave two away and am still using my first one. It is amazing how good these are. (no dishwasher, just me) I use both sides. Rinse it and lean it against the backsplash to dry. Your reviews influence my buying choices every time I watch a video.
Thank you just bought a 6 pack of them
I have a hard time in our area locating o-cedar products
@@revrontalbot6911 I have found so many times that on line is the only way for locating some products. It costs more but they are usually worth it.
@@Niftynorm1 thanks …
I will sanitize my sponges in the microwave. I put it in a bowl of water, then microwave for a few minutes per side.
Those O"Cedar sponges and the Bar Keeper's Friend are my favorite go to's in the kitchen! That sponge lasts so long!! And my stainless steel cookware looks as good as the day I bought them!! Oh, and lets we not forget the great Bounty paper towels!
literally what would I do without you guys. Genuinely my favorite thing to watch. I love cooking and having the right tools (for all the jobs done in the kitchen) is so satisfying and makes it all so much more fun!
Barkeeper's friend works exceptionally well. An added bonus I use all the time is to make a paste of it, and let it set on the pan you are trying to clean. Cover with a damp dish rag, after 20 minutes or so, scrub, and rinse. Repeat if necessary. Works great on old porcelain sinks too that are stained because the glazing is gone. I imagine it works great to clean grout as well.
These videos are GOLD and these two should be RUNNING this channel! 👏
Mrs. Meyers is my favorite! Around Thanksgiving they offer a limited time scent “Peppermint.” I stock up for the year because it’s the best! The all-purpose spray is great on cleaning and the best window cleaner! Glass sparkles and smells great, glass doors, windshields, stainless steel, countertops…❤️
I love Mrs. Meyers as well. My favorite scent is the apple cider. I will be stocking up on that this fall!
Their seasonal scents are my favorite! The acorn scent released in the fall is so nice and I love being able to match my hand soap with my dish soap.
@@rebeccacarroll9893
Lol. What a bizarre first world thing to even think about/desire in life, wanting to match dish soap and hand soap fragrances. Lmao.
Yes! The peppermint is my favorite too! Next time I see it...stocking up!
I tried the Method brand on my countertops and outside grill and was SO impressed. I even bought the antibacterial version with a citrus scent. The first thing that I loved was the light, crisp scent it has...not overpowering like some brands.
It cut through the grease on the grill with one swipe and no residue!
I can't wait to use up the rest of my Dawn detergent to replace it as well. I had no idea that it was made from petroleum products!
Thank you so much for your reviews and tips!
I like Method as well! esp their clear laundry and the orange spray/soap
I use the Method spray too (in grapefruit, of course). I also really like the Mrs. Meyers all purpose. I get honeysuckle and use it for floors and the washroom.
I really appreciate the fact that all of the products in your video are cruelty free and not tested on animals. It is the most important thing I look for when choosing a product.
The covid episodes if this series are the best! It feels more helpful to us home cooks to see all of these items in home kitchen.
Thank you Hannah and Lisa!
I agree - the overly perfect TV studios of all types of shows are NOTHING compared to a look of things that really happen in real homes - like the sink that is too far off so you have to walk out of your way - the frig door that opens the wrong way - and is a lesson is reality and patience for me :)
I appreciate the product reviews from America's test kitchen. Saves wasted time and money instead of the trial and error method. Thank you.
On the Bounty paper towels-there is a line called Advanced, which Costco carries. I think it is better quality than what the grocer carries, feels better, and lasts longer. Of course ya gotta buy bulk, but that works for me. Excellent vid, ladies-I learned a lot. Thanks!!
Your 'best friend' in the pic is adorable!!🥰🐕
I second the Kirkland brand of paper towels! 👍 I guess they weren’t tested???
@@Darnabymom They don't test the warehouse brands as they are kind of restricted due to membership needed.
Working in a restaurant I got hooked on using just the green nylon scrub pads without a sponge attached, which you can buy in bulk. I can't see where the sponge adds anything to the cleaning ability of the scrub pad alone, and it dries much faster after use.
The sponge part is for cleaning plastics and glass (or metal if you don't want to dull it) so that you don't wind up scratching them up. Obviously you could get a separate sponge, but a lot of people like the convenience of both.
Yeah, restaurant cookware is always hella scratched anyway, so green scrubbies are more efficient. I DO love the green scrubbies in my kitchen but for other uses. They are GREAT for "peeling" some veggies like carrots and asparagus (Thomas Keller trick). It allows you to retain the shape of the veg, but the tougher butter bits turn sort of velvety and richer in color. I just blast it with the sink sprayer function and air dry on a rack to get out the pulpy bits. Also can be MUCH less wasteful than traditional peeler (which I also still have/love at times).
I would add Bon-Ami to the arsenal, it's not corrosive like Barkeeper's Friend, and really does an excellent job at removing stunk on gunk.
I use Easy-off oven cleaner on stainless. It works well.
Completely agree on Bon Ami. I prefer it over Barkeeper's Friend and use it to clean glass, tile, porcelain, and anything that needs scrubbing.
Bon Ami is great, I used to buy it but it's not as easy to find or as widely available everywhere. Cameo is another good scouring cleaner, but also harder to find.
One thing I found that worked like magic on things like stainless steel thermoses or stainless steel thermal carafes is putting a couple tablespoons of powdered dishwasher detergent in the vessel with the hottest water you can get out of your tab. Then just leave it soak for a couple of hours. Come back dump out that water clean it out with a bottle brush and a little regular dishwashing soap and it’ll be like new.
I've never used it. How is it better than just baking soda?
I love my IKEA brush with the suction cup at the bottom. The bristles are the right space and stiffness and it stands upright in the sink with the suction cup.
A most helpful video - thank you, as always, for making the decision-making process for all things kitchen related that much easier.
I love Lisa and Hannah so much. I seriously always have the amazon window open while I watch these and buy pretty much whatever you tell me to buy. ROFL. You never let me down.
A small note: Lisa talking about "petroleum" and "natural derive", well… petroleum is natural per se, the crude oil isn't synthetized. It came from "nature" as well. I guess a confusion in the "wording": plant-based would be more accurate/honest. For example, in the method cleaner has decyl glucoside (surfactant), it's plant-base, but doesn't "exist" in nature necessary. It's made reacting glucose (usually from corn) and some fatty alcohol (usually from coconut) in the lab.
The "wording" used can be a little bit misleading and bias.
Furthermore, the mineral oil to condition wood is a full petroleum product. This is a great product for the purpose. Petroleum and fossil fuels are a moral good. They only seem wrong if you thing that nature is sacred and humanity is a cancer. Human beings are the standard of good. Give up the environmental guilt. We have the technology and intelligence to manage any future climate change without sacrificing the good life.
@@BalugaWhale37 Thank you. Very tired of people yammering on about nature while using their high tech mostly made by a country that is engaging in ethnic cleansing and that pollutes like crazy.
Also, people who worship nature really worship themselves because you never hear them offering to remove themselves from the planet they supposedly think is a higher good than man.
@@BalugaWhale37 lol
@@darthlaurel giggling.
@@darthlaurel I recommend "The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels" by Alex Epstein for an ethical look at the facts of how fossil fuels have improved the human environment. See Mr. Epstein at ua-cam.com/users/ImproveThePlanet. He recently testified before Congress.
Would have loved to see eco friendly /zero waste products like blue land or other solid products that minimize water content to save on shipping costs and minimize plastic packaging
Baking soda. My favorite.
That quick peak of Lan Lam made my heart go pitter-patter. Pro-tip: Ikea has THE best dish sponge and they are @ $1 each! I use a brush just like Lisa does for my cast iron pans, carbon steel pans and carbon steel wok.
Great tips! I was happy to see that some I knew and glad to learn others. For practically every kitchen purchase I check your show and you never let me down. Thank you for your hard work.
Someone recommended natural loofa of all things for a sponge. I decided to try it, and boy was I impressed! They hold water well, holds soap, and they scrub, too, without scratching. They doesn't hold on to stains so I can wash the bowl my son melted chocolate in, or the pan with the red sauce, and the loofa keeps its color. They don't hold on to food, rinse out well and dry nicely. In addition to all that, it's a vegetable so it's sustainable and breaks down easily. I buy three long ones in a pack and cut them in half with a bread knife so it's about the same size as a conventional sponge.
Great tip, and I love your idea about cutting the long one to sponge size
How long does your half of a loofah last for on average?
Great tip! I'm going to try it when it's time to replace my kitchen sponges. Thanks for sharing
They can be disinfected by boiling for 5 minutes in a pot of water if necessary. They're wonderful
Don’t forget that you can throw the sponges into the dishwasher or microwave to clean/sterilize
Your beat video yet. I love all your videos for the most part, but these products are going to be useful every day. Thank you for testing and sharing.
Lisa, I love the ingenious drain rack you have above the sink. What a great, great idea!!!
Hannah, Lisa, and Dan are the MVPs of ATK!
Love your pic!🥰🐕
Completely agree on the Scrunge. Brilliant sponge and lasts ages.
I always put my sponge in the dishwasher when I run it to keep it fresh and get any file smells that might build up in the sponge out
Super informative and presented in a fun and relaxed style. Thank you!
I use Bar Keepers and agree it’s a great product. But I love Bon Ami too. It works really well & it’s a little safer for some things. I keep them both in my house.
I have been waiting such a long time and wishing for this video. Thank you so much ATK!!!!!! Loved it!!!!
I have not bought a bottle of multi surface cleaner in many, many years.
In the 1990s I was an early adopter of microfiber cleaning cloths. I can use one and plain water to clean just about anything in the kitchen, including greasy stove tops. The grease rinses out easily, and when it doesn't, I launder them. Some people are concerned about the fibers getting in the waste stream, but I think that's less of a hazard than gallons of cleaner and miles pf paper towel. I'm still using some of my first cloths, and my "new" cloths were purchased some time around 2004.
For things the cloths won't handle, also in the early 90s I bought a gallon of janitorial supply concentrated degreaser and a spray bottle. I carefully mix up a spray bottle full every few years, and use that for cleaning the grease wells in my range hood, extremely dirty floors, etc. It's probably 0% natural, but again, I use so little I still think it's ok.
Use less. Figure out permanent or long term products instead of single use ones.
I love my microfiber cloths, been using them for a few years now. I can't believe how many paper towels I used to through. They don't smell bad like cotton towels, I think because they dry so quickly. Making the transition from paper towels to microfiber wasn't difficult like I thought it would be.
I hear that they are a contributor of micro plastics in the water. It seems like everything is a problem in modern life.
@@evebenen7121 I heard that too. I still think it's less harmful than the miles of paper towels and gallons of cleaners I would have used instead.
So many of the things we use are not great for the environment ... we have to figure out what makes sense in our lives and sometimes that means choosing the "least worst" thing.
@@lizcademy4809 I agree. I just don't know which is the least worst thing anymore. I use face cloths for cleaning and because I have scent sensitivities it is whatever cleaner I can find (everything is scented!). (latest is Better Life, which I should go check their ewg rating - I try to use ewg better rated products but between availability and scents it is near impossible).
@@lizcademy4809 paper towels and cleansers both break down, though. Micro plastics are just getting everywhere and clogging things up, including in stuff like inside fish. :(
Do you have a favorite palm brush for dishes? I used to use the long-handled style like you showed, but now I use a palm brush - it sits on top of a bar of castile soap on the edge of my sink, and this "rig" has enabled me to actually keep up with my dishes, LOL. I also keep a spouted bottle (like for olive oil) next to it, filled with dish soap diluted x2-x3 with water, for when I need to soak things in soapy water. I've had trouble finding the sponge you recommend, but I'll keep looking. Thanks for the rest of these tips! You two are the best!😃
Wow! The section on sponges alone blew me away. This was so interesting (and helpful) to watch!
I love shows like this! Thank you, I feel better about many of my choices.
Its super interesting that you are concerned about petrolium derived soaps, but you use mineral oil, which is a biproduct of gasoline production...
It's cheaper to use cloth towels, dishcloths, and rags. I prefer items I can bleach.
Same. I used to use old nappies but now use the $1 hand towels from Ikea. Thin, hard, don't shed and cleans like crazy.
Yes, I really prefer using cloths and washing them. It's super easy and way less wasteful. Happy to see others think this way too.
cloth for what?
@@elizabethblackwell6242 what do you use them to clean?
@@amandac3362 Just about everything. I find they get the soap scum off glass very well and shine cutlery and dishes well.
I saw a wood handled brush in your assortment. We have one from Full Circle we use for scrubbing veggies (carrots,...) and potatoes. We actually worn one out and were looking to replace it. While at a Target I looked through their cook wear department and could not find anything close to it. So I gave up. Then while in house cleaning dept I found it there! It just works so well at scrubbing veggies!
I love this video so much. Thanks for the scrunge recommendation. I’ve been scared of sponges for years, but you changed my mind with this video. The scrunge is a pleasure to use.
I switched to O'Cedar sponges a number of years ago when I realized my former go-to Scotch sponges left blue dye on my rubber gloves. I didn't like the thought of that on my dishes. O'Cedar sponges don't leave any dye and they work so much better than other sponges!
For viewers in Canada: 'O-Cedar' is the marque of Freudenberg products in the U.S.A. and are not available here. Instead, look for 'Vileda,' which are identical products aside from the label and packaging. I've been a Scrunge evangelist for years, and my dish brush (very similar to the pots and pans brush showcased here) sees daily use as well. I was impelled to solve this little mystery after noticing Hannah's Scrunge (2:27), and then scrubbing forward to see whether that was also featured here. Once I discovered the difference in brand names, it solved an earlier mystery: in another video, Lisa mentioned her brush (hanging above her sink in the background) in passing but called it O-Cedar, and I assumed it was the other brush since I was pretty sure that the white brush with red handle and blue bristles was a Vileda like mine. #WrongNotWrong
nice detective work. same in the UK, vileda is commonplace but never seen o-cedar
One of my absolute cleaning tips for stainless steel pots and pans or sinks is to couple Bar Keeper's Friend with Dawn or Dawn Power. The Dawn gives the BKF a definite boost! Everything rinses clean / shiney! Love it!
My husband used to develop film and photos. We always used Bounty because of the lack of lint left on film and photographic paper. Now I have digital cameras, I go to the auto department and buy the Scott brand that is used in garages. Very durable - can rinse them out, let them dry and use them again.
We use the shop towels too!
@@dnme94 Glad I'm not the only one!
Ocedar Scrunge and dishbrush are sold under the brand “Vileda” in Australia 🇦🇺
Legend this is the comment I was looking for now I just need to find out if Coles Woolworths kmart Aldi or big w or bunnings sells them
I was looking it up then I thought someone might have commented on it here. Cheers.
It is Vileda here in Canada too 😁
Only one thing better than Bar Keepers Friend and that’s Bar Keepers Friend with Sponge Daddy!!!
I love Sponge Daddy!
Bar Keepers Friend and a SOS pad would have that pan clean in a jiffy!
@@charronxd5716 So true. My mom swore by SOS pads.
I've loved every Mrs. Myers product I've purchased. Their hand soap is the only reason my naturally dry hands survived the constant COVID related washing. The cleaner works very well, and is very economical if you buy the concentrate and refill a spray bottle with it. For anything stainless or enameled Barkeepers Friend is a must have too.
Love the O-Cedar sponges! Just started using them this year after seeing another video y'all did on them!
I’ve been using those “scrunges” for some time now, ever since I first saw your recommendation. Aside from being solid in the sink, they also hold up to the dishwasher impressively well. So, once your scrunge has gotten sufficiently scrungy, just pop it in the dishwasher, and you’ll be good to go.
I had never heard of bar keepers friend until my husbands aunt me about it years ago! Its my best Friend in the Kitchen for cleaning my porcelin sink and my pans.
You DO NOT want to use this on your antique/vintage pyrex ware. It will take the design pattern off, which if you are paying "collectors" price for, you will devalue your pyrex, abnchor hocking, fire king products.
@@amelia-ireneinpdx2613 Exactly. People tend to use BKF as a replacement for Ajax or Comet cleansers when it should not be used that way.
If you use any regular black cast iron pans/pots (in other words, NOT enameled) DO NOT USE Barkeepers Friend on them! Lisa was right. They list cast iron as incompatible with BKF on the container.
@@jessicaharris1608 You should not use the stronger BKF in the silver can on ANY cast iron, coated or not, as it can dull or strip the coating. Always follow the directions on the package of whatever product you purchase, BKF or any other.
@@barcham
We have the gold can of BKF powder.
I feel like my auntie is giving me advices when I am Listening to Lisa 😍 I love her advices.
You have been busy creating!! So many lovely items. I need to give the specimen cards a try - love them! hugs xx
Love the Method grapefruit spray, too! It's so versatile and useful. I prefer Brawny to Bounty, but Bounty is my second choice in a pinch.
Nice pic of your 'best friend🐕🥰
Love a method grapefruit! Now I have to try Mrs. Meyers!
Great video... Thanks! Also, we've discovered the Presto! paper towels from Amazon, as well as the Target and Home Depot HDX paper towels (that say "Compare to Bounty" on them) really are comparable to Bounty paper towels, and they cost a little less.
I love you guys this video has been an eye opener and really grateful for this ! Love from Australia been watching you guys for a few years now
perfect! i trust lisa mcmanus with my eyes closed! i live in brazil so i dont have access to all you show but when i go buy something i do the right choice and i try to find something similar. thank you lisa and hannah
I used to be a big fan of the O-Cedar sponge, but I stopped using traditional dish sponges in favor of loofah dish sponges, which can scrub, and Swedish dish cloths, which can be laundered regularly. Both dry faster than sponges, last longer, and can be composted when done. I also prefer Rubbermaid's version of the dish scrubbing brush (it also has the row of little stiff bristles on the head). Mine is still going strong after 10 years. Also want to give a shout to copper scrubbing cloths, instead of steel wool. They work well without scratching metal or glass, and last forever.
Thanks for these helpful comments. Does Rubbermaid still make your dish brush? I can't seem to find it looking in the usual online sites. Thanks.
@@allenlivera1611 Hi, I just searched and it looks like Rubbermaid no longer produces the "Tough Scrub Kitchen Brush," unfortunately. I do see that Libman produces something similar with their "Big Job Kitchen Brush": www.amazon.com/Libman-Big-Kitchen-Brush-Pack/dp/B00FEWE30M. This design is better than the O'Cedar brush ATC recommends. Like the Rubbermaid, it has many more and denser bristles and the angles of the handle and the bristles allow you to attack the messes with less risk of splaying and warping the bristles -- and wearing them out. The Libman version also has 3 rows of the dense scrubbing bristles at the top -- even more than the Rubbermaid did: (www.pinterest.com/pin/67342956900089939/). To clean the brush, I just run it through the dishwasher and it's good as new. Good luck!
@@C2C. Thanks for all this help and links. I'll give the Libman a whirl and see how it does. Cheers
I also love the Swedish dish cloths, they are amazing!
@@allenlivera1611 My pleasure and good luck!
This seems like the most fun job. Kitchen, research/ experimenting, making videos. I’d love this career
I love and use Bar Keepers friend to clean my All Clad pots and pans. They look like new👏👏after several years.
In addition to squeezing out a sponge when I'm done cleaning, I also stand it on edge, which lets it dry a lot faster than if you lay it flat. Of course this only works if you use sponges with flat edges instead of the creatively curved ones, but their recommended "scrunge" looks like it should work that way.
My favorite sponges are curved so in lieu of the edge, I just make sure to put the ridged scrubber side down so that air can flow underneath. Makes a big difference. :)
I have a thingy I got at an RV store that looks like a big stretched spring with two suction cups - you stick it to your sink or countertop and the sponges sit between the coils on end and it works amazingly well - plenty of airflow around the sponges so they dry really well. You do have to squish thicker sponges to fit into it but they seem to dry well enough anyway.
Being derived from petroleum isn’t bad it just means it’s a byproduct of petroleum usage ie using what’s already being wasted.
Thank you for this specific Video. I was a skeptical on some of the products that you tested, Now I am going to try.
This is such a useful episode. Thank you!!
Lisa! You're so believable, like listening to a friend. I use BKF on stainless, cast iron, ceramic coated cast iron as well as my Mother's antique Simplex copper kettle. Looks like new every time. I made a list of the other things you mentioned. Thank you!
Be careful using BKF on any coated surfaces. It can easily strip the surface or damage it, especially enamelled cast iron or ceramic coated pans. It will also strip the seasoning on raw cast iron skillets or pots.
@@barcham You're right about the cast iron. I misspoke. I NEVER use it on my black cast iron skillets, or my seasoned Mauviel steel skillet. Only my ceramic coated Lodge dutch oven. So far, so good. Thanks for noticing! 😊
@@maydaygarden I would be careful about which version you use on coated surfaces. If you are using the gold can, you are OK, but whatever you do, do not use the stronger Cookware Cleanser and Polish that comes in a silver can. That one will ruin any finished surface it is used on, and BKF only recommend it for use on stainless steel and glass. They also sell a cream cleanser that is safe to use on most surfaces.
@@barcham 👍
When I redid my kitchen and installed unsealed cherry butcher block counters (that I LOVE), I researched wood oils and switched from mineral oil to walnut oil. I find it SEALS and protects all of my wooden implements, boards, and countertops. And it is not a petroleum product which I try to avoid whenever possible.
Love ya Lisa and Hannah! You guys are awesome!!!!!
ATK sold me on the Scrunge and you guys are definitely right about its quality. Also long-lasting. I've used Mrs Meyers dish detergent forever, but I'd also give a thumbs up to their multipurpose concentrate, which I dilute as an all purpose cleaner and prefer to Method.
BKF is the one thing I'll never be without, but I still much prefer Viva to Bounty.
"Soak it, but not overnight"
I feel personally attacked.
Ditto! I soak overnight all the time! Hell, often it will be more than a couple nights when I get lazy.
Attached to what? 😂
I appreciate that you tested how much bacteria is left on a rinsed and wrung sponge versus one left wet, my boyfriend is very nervous about my use of sponges on the counter top. I often microwave my sponge if it begins to smell, is there anything on a sponge that cannot be killed by the microwave?
I do the same. Turns a stinky sponge into a near-new one.
Im scared of sponges!! Hidden 🦠
I don’t think microwaving kills everything - it might also need an occasional soak in bleach maybe? And of course keep it as dry as possible to cut down on stuff breeding in the first place. Having more than one sponge can help there because you can rotate them so they get a chance to dry fully and aren’t staying damp because they’re being used all the time. I also have different sponges for dishes vs wiping the counter - the dishes one tends to get gunked up more because of food particles and so on, which is more bacteria-friendly. The counter sponge just stays cleaner overall. (I wipe up any messy spills with a paper towel or rag first then the sponge is for properly cleaning the surface.)
I actually like the dollar general sponges that are coated in a metallic abrasive element. They never scratch that I've noticed and cut through stuff like nothing else I've tried. Cheap also
Thanks for sharing your favorites!
My cleaning tip comes from Clean My Space's Melissa Maker: Use an "S" pattern instead of circles when wiping down surfaces. That way, you're not re-wiping areas with the dirt from other areas. (I was cringing during Hannah's segments.) Regardless, thank you for sharing your favorites!
thanks for the tip :)
About Mrs. Meyer's, sure it works well, in fact it's on my sink because I still haven't used up the bottle yet and I refuse to throw it out and waste it, even though I don't like it. So, it works BUT you should know that the scent is really really strong and if you're sensitive to scents like I am then you probably won't like this either. The scent is so strong it gives me a headache and I think I might even be mildly allergic to it since it makes me sneeze and my nose run which is not only aggravating and bothersome it's also super inconvenient when trying to wash dishes. So just keep that in mind for anyone sensitive to perfumes and stuff. Once this bottle is empty it will be replaced with a free and clear dish soap.
Its so funny how the Meyer’s has no petroleum in it and its supposed to be good for the environment but yet they are putting chemical scents in it so strong we don’t know what its doing to us!! It just doesn’t make sense to me if u want to make something safe make it safe all the way!!
Yeah, I can’t use most of the Meyer’s stuff for that reason, too. A lot of ‘green’ products are like that.
Hard to please everyone .nothings perfect.
Thanks for posting this comment. I can't do strong smells either.
All Lisa’s favorites are also mine! And have been for years!💜☮️
Very informative. Very thorough! Thank you!
That Bar Keeper’s Friend tip was easily the mvp of this video. I’ve ALWAYS wanted a way to keep my cookware shiny and clean! Thanks so much!
cream of tartar also works on metal pots/pans
Food-grade mineral oil can be found in Wal-Mart in the pharmacy area. I had a hard time finding it, so just letting you know.
Barkeepers Friend is the best.
I clean my sponges in the dishwasher.
Thanks for tip to find mineral oil.
@@joycedeeb2756
You’re welcome 😉
Another great set of reviews! Thanks!
Thank you for this! I am in the final months (🤞) of a full kitchen remodel and I have a feeling my cleaning supplies will get a nice upgrade as well
That kitty is BEAUTIFUL!🥰🐈
@@JabberJawz. thank you. She is part vampire.
Hannah, Mrs. Meyers, Bounty, Method are all my choices also. You should try the lime plus sea salt scent. It is heavenly. Makes me want to keep cleaning LOL
Oooh yeah, I was so happy when they took the lime + sea salt fragrance from limited edition and made it standard!
Wait... so Dawn, which advertises it being used to clean animals in oil spills, is itself derived from oil... oh the irony.
More irony. Petroleum is derived from plants. Plants that are millions of year old for sure. But it is a plant product itself. Life’s never as simple as people want to make it.
@@robertallenpayne animals. Coal is from plants. The animals ate the plants. Just needed another link to get to it.
@@robertallenpayne But the million year process to get from source material to petroleum CHANGES the source material so much that you can no longer claim that's what it is. And, in the process, the resulting petroleum becomes toxic. Furthermore, when they say "plant based" vs "petroleum based" they are referring to the recent source, what did it DIRECTLY come from. 🤦♀️ By your logic, you are your ancestors, one and the same, because that's where it all started that ended up with you.
I literally use the smallest drop possible of Dawn and can perfectly clean several dishes.
Lol a lot of products are petroleum based but that doesn't make them inherently bad.
Wow! Thank you for all your work. Most of your items were confirmation of what I use and made me feel wonderful ❤😂
Great episode! I learned a lot. I have a trip to the store in my future. By the way I’ve used Barkeepers Friend for decades it’s my best friend.
Barkeepers Friend is amazing, I need to pick some up for my new place.
After I started using brushes for washing the dishes, I stopped using sponges altogether. If you get one with a long handle and medium stiffness, you can cut sharp things without putting your hand anywhere near the blade and without having to apply a lot of force. They're easier to clean than a sponge, they last for months, and even with borderline negligence you don't get that horrible musty smell. Sometimes I walk into someone's home, and the first thing I can smell is that kitchen sponge.
I use "sponge bleach" to sanitize my sponges when they smell (9 parts water to 1 part bleach) and soak in a small container for 15-20 minutes. Or I put the wet sponge in the microwave for two minutes. The steam also softens any bits inside & makes it easy to wipe down the interior of microwave. I only make the sponge bleach 1 quart at a time since bleach degrades quickly.
@@maydaygarden I put a little soap on the brush and run it under the water for about five seconds.
I use a brush for most things, but I keep a scrubbing sponge for counters, cutlery, and the hard-to-reach corners of baking dishes. And the scrubby side does a pretty good job on my glass top stove.
Just a reminder:
Alkaline products help remove grease/fat
Acidic products help remove calcium/water mineral build up.
Never mix that up, it will save you lots of money.
Thank You👍
Barkeepers friend is alkaline, right? Then why are people saying that it also works to remove soap scum on your shower doors? Soap scum would be considered water mineral buildup, no?
@@anti-ethniccleansing465 The minor build up that you see on showers can get cleaned with alkaline products that have a high concentration, but in the end it's just the fact that you're actually cleaning (scrubbing/wiping) it, not the fact that the product is cleaning it.
So it's about as effective as cleaning soap with more soap and then rinsing it with water.
@@stagnantfox3027
So what would sort of product you suggest for cleaning soap scum off of shower doors and tiles?
About *Mineral Oil*
I've seen wood workers test out different wood oils to protect wooden kitchen utensils. Turns out, mineral oil wasn't that great. When it tried, it left a residue that didn't "dry hard". Instead, they tended to recommend a oils with a *tung oil* base. Tung oil is natural, food safe, makes the wood really pretty, and "dries hard" to protect the wood from water damage. One man tested this by boiling wooden spoons for 5 minutes. The tung oil protected the wooden spoons the best.
Love you both! Keep up the great work!
Dawn is also half the cost of Meyers
This is why I haven't switched. I use my soap very sparingly and I got it in bulk. I've been using the same bottle for over a year.
Dawn got chocolate stain out of my skirt like nothing else. Dawn will always be in my kitchen :)
The dawn power wash spray bottle is awesome .
True, but Meyers works well and smells amazing. It lasts me a long time (longer than dawn). I get it through grove collaborative and it’d a bit cheaper there (if you sign up for grove search UA-cam for a video and get. A referral link for some good stuff). I also am an empty nester and need less soap than when I have kids at home so a little more per bottle is fine for me
@@CrankyGrandma The Grove Collaborative is an awesome site !
I’ve been so brainwashed by advertising that when she said “the winner is Bounty” I said out loud “Well
, yeah. It *is* the _quicker picker upper_ … oh no. I’m a advert sheep!”
Lmao
Lol…. Of course and the most expensive too!!!
Haha! Me too
@@CrankyGrandma I like your sheep.🥰🐑
Yea have a nice looking best friend.🥰🐕
No way is bounty is better than Viva, I have accidently washed and dried them and they come out whole, and can be used if you would want to.
Thanks for the work, Ladies 💪🏽💯
Love love love the method all purpose. I tried all of the scents and they are all amazing. Not good for Granit on the long run sadly but if you don't have Granite, it is great!
Method has a Daily Granite cleaner. It's in a brown bottle (or it was the last time I bought it)