The Cleaning Helper You Can't Do Without

One of the most versatile cleaning items I know is the "scrubbie" pad. They are cheap, available almost anywhere, and have many, many uses.

These pads come either in small sheets or with sponges attached. I tend to use the sheets more, but the sponge type doesn't drip, so it is better for some uses. There are three basic types: The white ones are the least abrasive, and are used mostly for tub enclosures, some cookware and counter tops. Green scrubbies are rougher, and the brown or grey pads are for really tough jobs, such as scrubbing cooking grills or your car's tire rims. There is some variation within the green types; some are more abrasive than others, so be careful, lest you wind up with permanent scratches on the surface you are trying to clean. I don't care for the colored types (red, blue) as they tend to bleed color.

Using these cleaning aids will reduce your need for powerful cleaners, which may be toxic, and for abrasive-type cleaners. To be even more frugal, I cut these pads in half, or even quarters, depending on their size.