I really, really wanted to love this sponge. I'm a big believer in reducing chemicals in the home & our overall impact on the environment. The thought of going free from cleaning products was appealing, but honestly I didn't find that possible with this sponge.

Our first use of the sponge was after a dinner that was cooked in a skillet with a glass lid. We tried the "˜only hot water' suggestion and were disappointed. While the sponge did a great job of removing the cooked on food bits from the pan, it also felt greasy during the cleaning. Even with copious amounts of hot water, we were not able to get the glass lid to be grease free. At one point my husband commented on whether the sponge was actually an environmental choice if it required the use of more water to clean without cleaning products... good poimt, actually.

Not willing to admit defeat, we put the sponge to the test a few days later on a greasy pan from bacon. This was a double whammy - the sponge and pan felt greasy, and the little bacon bits got buried in the mesh on the scrubbing side. Big bummer.

In the end, I really didn't find it possible to use them with only hot water. In our case, we are sticking with environmentally safe "˜green' dish soaps and cleaning products as they get the job done with less water.

As for the sponge's antibacterial properties, this applies only to the sponge itself. It should be noted that you still need to use some type of disinfectant if you want to sanitize a surface (e.g. cutting boards). As for disinfecting the sponge itself, the trick is the same with these as any other sponge: 2 minutes in microwave, throw it in the d/w, or sanitize with vinegar.

PROs: Durable, good size, absorbent material, will probably last longer than other sponges

CONs: Despite claims, food does stick to the scrubbing side, not great at cleaning greasy food residue, still needed to use dish soap, or disinfectant for counters.

It scrubs reasonably well, but retains so much water that it smells moldy after only a few uses despite wringing out all water humanly possible after use and hanging to dry. I tried washing in the washing machine and zapping in the microwave, neither removed the moldy smell. I have to toss this out and call it a loss. (I live in Arizona, so its not atmospheric humidity causing problems drying)

Finally, I've found a well-made, heavy duty sponge that I can use everyday for any type of cleaning needed that does NOT stink!!! I live where it is high humidity year round and don't own a dishwasher. Every sponge I've ever tried either failed at their claims that their sponge didn't stink, would hold up well and didn't need to be put in the dishwasher to maintain freshness. Nano Sponge has lived up to ALL those claims! Hard to believe someone could get so excited about a sponge but believe me, if you've tried as many as I have (I'm 64 yrs old) and you FINALLY find a good one, you're ecstatic! I bought the 2pk of the larger size and plan to order the 2pk of the smaller sz. I've not yet had to do anything to maintain freshness but IF I do, I'll put a dampened Nano in a microwave safe bowl and nuke it for 30 sec as well as perhaps put it in a lingerie bag in the washing machine on gentle cycle.

Have had for 8 months and still in like-new condition with daily use! BUY THEM NOW - SERIOUSLY - I THROW IN DISHWASHER atleast once a week SO THEY NEVER SMELL & Always clean, THEY'RE A MICROFIBER & SCRUBBER IN ONE & super absorbent, NEVER NEED ANYTHING ELSE!!! Have already saved a ton of money by not having to buy sponges and saving on paired towel usage and they're nowhere near end of usefulness. I have one at every sink in our house including kitchen. Can use on anything to get it clean, including dishes, floors, appliances, shoes, EVERYTHING as though you're using a microfiber cloth or SCRUBBER sponge! I can use on super dirty stuff and throw in dishwasher and feel fine about using on dishes once clean.

LOVE these sponges, especially since the cloth side has been re-designed to absorb better and is more like the Nano towels themselves. The large size makes for a quicker clean-up and the scrubber side does a nice job getting off stuck-on stuff. I even use mine to remove pet hair from furniture! I find the Nano sponges overall more durable and longer lasting than other sponges and I like that they are easy to clean and disinfect. Best of all is the bargain of getting TWO per package so one can be used in the bathroom. Definitely recommend this product!