A few years ago, I switched from using sponges for washing dishes to using washcloths, finding that washcloths didn't get smelly from germs like sponges did (as long as I hung them over the faucet to dry after washing the dishes).But these are even better, in my opinion. They are just "scrubby" enough to clean food from pots and pans without having to soak them first, but not so harsh that they will scratch anything. Dish soap gets trapped fairly well in the waffle pattern of the material, but of course they're not going to retain the amount of water and soap that a sponge does -- which I don't think is necessary anyway.They also feel like they will be very long-lasting.Would recommend to anyone disgusted by their sponges after using them for a while, and looking for something different to try!