One of the most successful products ever to launch on Shark Tank, the Scrub Daddy sponge has become a cleaning phenomenon since its debut on the show in October 2012. Its immense popularity has led to the expansion of the brand, which now includes the Scrub Mommy sponge, along with a wide range of cloths, tools, cleaning formulas and more.
Beyond their adorable smiling faces, what makes Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy truly unique is their innovative "FlexTexture" foam, which changes stiffness and scrubbing power based on water temperature — firm in cold water and soft in hot. Scrub Mommy offers an added benefit with its "ResoFoam" layer that provides a softer, more absorbent sponge-like texture.
I lead the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, where we test thousands of household cleaning products, tools and appliances every year, including the best mops, the most effective toilet bowl brushes and the best grease-cutting dish soaps. That said, I have to admit that despite its popularity, I was a bit late to hopping on the Scrub Daddy train. I always wondered why I would need a scrubbing tool that softens in hot water — the temperature I typically use for washing dishes.
But for the sake of this comparison, I set aside all my preconceptions and put Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy to the test in an honest, side-by-side review. I used each to clean dishes and glassware, dirty cookware and roasting pans, my oven’s broiler pan, stovetop burners and my convection microwave. Beyond the kitchen, I even put them to work scrubbing my bathtub, bath mat and chrome faucets. After all that cleaning, here’s how I think they compare.
At a glance
Scrub Daddy
Pros
- Comfortable to hold
- Safe for a wide variety of surfaces
- Softens in warm water and firms up in cool water
Cons
- May not remove tough grime in corners
| Size | 4-inch diameter |
|---|---|
| Material | FlexTexture foam |
| Non-scratch | Yes |
| Dries quickly | Yes |
| Rinses easily | Yes |
Scrub Mommy
Pros
- Double-sided (scrubber and sponge)
- Safe for a wide variety of surfaces
- Softens in warm water and firms up in cool water
- Absorbs like a sponge
Cons
- Takes a bit longer to dry
| Size | 4-inch diameter |
|---|---|
| Material | FlexTexture + ResoFoam |
| Non-scratch | Yes |
| Dries quickly | Somewhat |
| Rinses easily | Somewhat |
How they compare
Let’s start with the fact that both scrubbers are downright adorable — it's impossible to look at their little faces and not crack a smile. I’m all for anything that makes cleaning a little more fun and whimsical.
Both Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy are made of FlexTexture foam, which stiffens in cold water for tough scrubbing and softens in warm or hot water for a gentler clean. They both scrub without scratching, have eye holes for easy gripping and feature a mouth that can clean both sides of spoons, forks, knives — and in my test, even cooking tongs. Plus, their little “hair” grooves are perfect for scrubbing around the rims of stemware and other glasses.
They're durable and long-lasting, bouncing right back into shape after scrubbing and squeezing. Available in different colors and designs, I like that they rinse cleanly and dry quickly to help minimize bacteria growth and odors.
Scrub Daddy is great for heavy-duty scrubbing
As the name suggests, this is the one to choose if you want a tool purely for scrubbing while using a separate sponge or dishcloth for actual dishwashing. True to its promise, it softened in warm and hot water and firmed up in cold. I’ll admit, I was pleasantly surprised that even when soft, it still retained some gentle scrubbing power.
However, I found it less flexible than the sponge or cloth I typically use for washing a sink full of normally soiled dishes, and I couldn’t quite squeeze it into the tight corners of my broiler pan. While Scrub Daddy is highly effective on its own, surfaces and items will still need a rinse or wipe with a damp cloth to remove any remaining suds.
Scrub Mommy is more versatile for everyday cleaning
I really enjoyed using Scrub Mommy. The sponge side handled everyday dishes and glassware well, while the scrubby side was there when I needed to tackle stuck-on bits — whether flicking debris off a wood cutting board or wrapping around the rungs of a broiler pan rack. When I was done, it also wiped down counters and the sink area just as effectively as the sponge cloth I usually use.
Plus, Scrub Mommy is even more flexible than Scrub Daddy when dipped in warm or hot water, making it super easy to slip into narrow glasses and clean around rims. In the bathroom, she effortlessly removed soap scum from my tub and hugged the corners and curves of the faucet, shower valve and grout lines between the tub and wall.
How I tested
Weeks of holiday cooking and working from home left me with plenty of naturally soiled household surfaces to clean, both in the kitchen and the bathroom. I tested both scrubbers on everyday dishes and cookware, wooden cutting boards, enameled pans, cooktops, ovens, countertops and bathroom tubs, tiles and chrome surfaces. Along with scrubbing power, I evaluated how easily they rinsed clean, how quickly they dried and whether they showed any signs of degradation, disintegration or odor retention.
The bottom line
For day-to-day dishwashing at the kitchen sink, I think Scrub Mommy outshines Scrub Daddy. She’s more versatile, offering the best combination of gentle washing and scrubbing, and — when needed — the spongy side works well for wiping down counters, cleaning the cooktop and soaking up water around the faucet. Plus, when warmed up, I found Scrub Mommy to be more flexible than Scrub Daddy, making it easier to maneuver into tight spaces.
Scrub Daddy, on the other hand, is the better choice for tough jobs, outdoor cleaning tasks and situations where heavy-duty scrubbing is the main priority. So in this case, I’d say there’s room for both halves of this cople under my kitchen sink.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
