When I shared this picture of the light from the new kitchen window falling on my bouquet of dish brushes by the sink, I received a comment that made me smile. I’m paraphrasing, but it said something like, “Why do you use dish brushes? And why do you have so many?”
The answer to the second part of that question is simply because we’re talking about me and we’re talking about brushes. That’s really why I have so many, but we do use most of them. I like having a variety of shapes and textures in my brush bouquet for visual impact, but we do use different brushes for different purchases. For example, the dark brush on the left has very soft bristles and it’s nice for washing glasses and other delicate things. I use the bottle brushes for water bottles and such.
Most of the brushes, though, are standard dish brushes for washing dishes. Some of them are slightly stiffer than others, so I’ll reach for one over the other depending on what I’m cleaning. I also have one dish brush with wire bristles that is good when I need to scrub off baked-on food.
My favorite dish brush has natural bristles, a wood handle, and the brush heads can even be replaced. One will last about 3-6 months depending on how much it’s used and I keep a few in reserve so I’ll always have a replacement when one has bristles down to a nub. I have bought my brushes from The Maple House Co, Dreamy Whites, and even Amazon. Redecker and Iris Hantverk brushes are my favorite dish brushes, but I’ve used a few similar brands and they all work well. You just want a brush that has reasonably stiff bristles so they will scrub off food.
So, why do I use dish brushes instead of a sponge or dishrag? I will use sponges for certain cleaning tasks, but only when it is the best tool for the job. I honestly think that dish brushes do a better job cleaning, they don’t get that stinky sponge smell, and they don’t trap food in nooks & crannies. The smell is a big thing for me. I used to wash my sponges (in the washer and dryer!) when I used them for dishes after one or two uses because I couldn’t stand the smell of a dirty sponge. With the brushes, it’s not even an issue.
I use wood-handled brushes because I like how they look sitting out on the counter. The dish brush needs to be handy to be functional, so these can sit out and look pretty! I am a big believer in the fact that practical things can be pretty, too.
To use them for washing dishes, I just squirt some dish soap into the bristles and use the soapy brush until I need another quirt.
So, that’s why I use dish brushes and why I have so many!
34 Responses
very pleasing to the eye. Do you use a soap dish for the soap? There is never a doubt if you like something. There will be an abundance of it.
I like the whole picture of your boquet.
I will try dish brushes now…somehow, Marian, you make using a dish brush sound appealing.
We really like the Dawn stand-up quirt bottle, so we use that and keep it under the sink.
We have a small kitchen. Hoping to remodel it someday soon. Love your ideas.
Why so many brushes…cuz I like the look of them! Don’t have to have a reason.😇
Thank you for this post! I would like to have one or some dish brushes, but I have not known what to look for so I have not yet purchased any. I would much rather get something that someone else has and loves than just blindly order something. So once they have arrived, I will need to look for a nice vintage vase or something to keep them in. Thanks for the ideas!
I also use brushes and have a number of them that I use regularly. I hate sponges! Yuck!
My primary use of a brush is for vegetables as I bring them in from the garden. I’ve always kept a vegetable brush. Love your bouquet.
Do use your dishwasher?
Yes, we use it for plates, bowls, glasses, etc. but I handwash our sharp knives, flatware, pots, and pans.
I use them too and funny enough store them in an ol Mustard pot. My favorite is made in England 🇬🇧
You don’t have to provide a reason for any collection, but thanks for the write up and links. I have a few brushes as well, and yes they are pretty as well as practical.
There’s a typo in the first line on your link. Might want to correct it?!
Hmmm…I can’t find it, but I do like correcting typos if you want to let me know exactly where it is. My mom usually sends me corrections! No matter how many times I proofread, something sneaks through.
Oh! Sure! When I click on “here” for the link, it takes me to LTK and under the heading Favorite Dish Brushes, the first line reads “My favorite wood-hsndled . . . ” , which should be “wood-handled”. I used to be a copy editor, back when we published on paper, and typos just jump out at me.
Thank you! Fixed!
I love using brushes – a necessity for my grandbaby’s bottles! But I also LOVE little handmade dishcloths made with the “Scrubby” crochet yarn! It has just the right amount of ‘grit’ to really clean, they don’t stretch so much as regular cotton yarn and clean easily with the normal wash. They also work great as bath cloths and you can be creative with different crochet patterns.
It took me more than a decade to make my family squeeze the excess of moist out of the sponge after each use and drop it with the dish washer every night. I do have a few natural brushes. Very useful!
I’m curious about the block of soap since you only mentioned squirting soap on the brushes. The block of soap is pretty. Is there anything else special about it? (Also, there didn’t seem to be a link for the soap unless something is going on with my phone or my eyes, which is entirely possible.) 😉
Found the link for the soap. Still curious what you love about it. 🙂
I bought my first block of Savon de Marseilles soap because I thought it was just so pretty! I keep them sitting out because I do love how they look, but it is an excellent all-purpose oil-based soap. You can use it on your skin, dishes, laundry, and just about anything. I use it primarily for removing oil paint from my hands and brushes. I have one that I keep under the sink that is used and misshapen, but I keep a pretty one on the counter.
I love pretty brushes, too. Great for scrubbing a pan or cleaning the hummingbird feeder. But look at your pretty ironstone holder for your brushes! Love it!
That is a sugar jar without the lid. 🙂
I love your style! I look forward to your posts and want you to know you are a true inspiration! Thank you, Marian!
I’m a brush lover too, and am curious about the metal-bristle one you mention. I’ve only found large grill brushes, and small toothbrush ones. Something in between those sizes would be nice.
I just knew you were going to say all those brushes were antiques and you had collected them over the years! 🙂 I love your style, antiques or not. But I do love the antique/vintage things!
I keep a small pot (currently La Fermiere yogurt pots my favorite) of diluted dish soap by my sink with a new-never used-toothbrush innit. Perfect for getting in the crevices of storage lids. I’m space challenged in my one-butt kitchen but I too, love a scrub brush. Often I will soak my Swedish dishcloth in a dilute bleach mix in a coffee mug for in between laundering. Mug stains come out too!
I was wondering how you keep the tops of the handles from becoming wet and stained when they are in your pot. I have a pot for brushes as well, but water gets in the bottom as the brushes drip.
I use dish brushes all the time and think it’s so clever how you have them handy and displayed for your use. Could you please share the type of dish you have them placed in, it’s really cute and fits the brushes perfectly (but, of course). I love your Blog… and appreciate that you share your design talents and finds with us. Thank you for sharing.
I like brushes too, but typically use plastic or silicone so I can toss them in the dishwasher to sanitize them. Do you put your wooden ones in the dishwasher? If so, how does the wood hold up? It sounds like you replace yours every few months, so maybe the dishwasher doesn’t hasten their demise any more than regular use.
Who knew there were so many brush shapes?! Thanks for sharing your favs!
I love this! I much prefer brushes over sponges and scourers, but the plastic ones deteriorate so quickly (not to mention the harm they do to the environment). Thank you for the links to where we can buy. They look so pretty on your counter. Do you use the cube soap for dishes, or for hands?
I have been a fan of Redecker for years & was so disappointed when Sur la Table stopped selling them. I do have another source. I never used sponges but just found Swedish Sponge Cloths that get water from the counter like I have never seen. Even paper towels don’t work like these babies. Plus you just add it to the dishwasher to clean. Love both.
I use a silicon “hand” size brush that I love. It’s very gentle. I also have a sturdier one that has its own little “bowl” – you can put the dish detergent in the bowl and it has a cover with little holes that dispense the detergent. I bought it in Astoria, OR. Any scratches on your pots/pans when you use yours with stiffer bristles? I do love the look of your brushes.
I love how you used the stainless sink with the gold faucet. I am trying to understand the design rules (if any?) for mixing metal finishes in a kitchen. After seeing how great your sink looks I am not as scared to try a stainless sink with a different metal faucet! If you have any suggestions on how to mix metals in a very small dark kitchen like I have, I’d surely appreciate your input. I’m looking to brighten up my cramped space with lighter cabinets like yours as well. You have such a eye! I am not a designer by any means ! Thank you!