I bought a bunch of Amazon face cloths that I use for all sorts of cleaning - including any dishes that I do by hand (admittedly not many). Toss them in the wash frequently and reuse.

Dish rag. Replace with fresh, clean one with every meal you cook or every time you do dishes.

the average kitchen sponge has more bacteria than your toilet. 🤢

Scrubby sponge. That's what I grew up using and continue to do so.

When it gets smelly...rince it and squeeze out excess water, put in microwave for 20 seconds and the steam will kill bacteria.

I'm just like sloedjinn.

I use Dobie pads, just like my mom always did.

I use sponges and routinely throw them in the dishwasher for cleaning

For me, growing up sponges were only for deep cleaning bathrooms. Cloths for dusting and cleaning flat surfaces. We always used a brush for dishes. It was first when I moved to France that I learned that you could wash dishes with sponges. At the time I found it very bizarre. Today I live in the US and I still only use my brushes for cleaning dishes.

Sponges always develop a smell even if you clean them. There are many scrubbers that are better than a sponge for both scrubbing power and not getting smelly.

I have used the Scotch Brite until two years ago, I discovered the Dobie. LOVE them. I also use microfiber cloths to wipe down counters. FYI, Dawn dish soap made my Scotch Brite sponges STINK. Google it. I changed dish soaps and have no issues.

I buy the blue scotch brite no -scratch sponges in bulk at Costco. I do very few dishes by hand but do hand wash most cookware (and my most expensive knives). The sponge goes into the dishwasher at night, or into the microwave to sanitize. If it starts to look a little stained, it goes into the utility closet to use for a more dirty job later, like corners of flooring, baseboards, thresholds of doorways etc....

They never smell. I don't know about the Dawn, I've used only lemon fresh Joy and hot water for decades ;0)

I’m a sponge person, but I have several different ones and I run them in the dishwasher every night, and change them every 2 weeks. I use all different kinds, regular ones, silicone scrubby ones, scrub daddys. No issue with smell.

Both! I I have different kinds of dishcloths--Swedish, regular, and crocheted (or are they knit?) that people have made. Each morning I just grab the next one in line from the drawer, so it's my little daily surprise to myself lol. The sponge has the scrubby side and is for, well, scrubbing.

I bought a bunch of microfiber cleaning clothes for countertops. I use one and hang up to air dry between using. Replace it with new every other day. For dishes I use a reusable dish scrubbies I got online by a woman who makes them. They are awesome, machine washable.

Guys, thank you so much for the responses! learning a lot. keep them coming.

Neither. I use a vegetable brush Like this Libman on the WalMart web site on some things and a Tuffy scrubber on pots & pans. The Tuffys have gone out of production now, but I see DAWN has their own version: amazon link to Dawn Poly Mesh scrubber

Neither, brushes only!

Never a sponge person. About 2 years ago I discovered baby bottle brushes with the little pull out nipple brush on the end, and that's my go-to for dishes now. I use a dish rag to clean counter tops and small appliances. Keep a plastic scrubbie for scrubbing carrots and other veggies, as well as taking stuck on stuff off of items. Use a steel pad to remove deep stains and cleaning the bottoms of cookware. Don't have a DW.