Why do kitchen sponges come in different colours—and what do they indicate?

“A sponge used to wash dishes with raw meat residue shouldn’t be used to clean a countertop where ready-to-eat food is prepared. Red, orange and pink sponges are the most abrasive and suitable for removing the most stubborn dirt from pots and pans. Green sponges are ideal for washing dishes and utensils. Use yellow sponges for cleaning more delicate surfaces such as sinks. Blue sponges are the least abrasive and are used to clean very delicate surfaces such as glass or stainless steel,” said the caption of the Instagram post.

 

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Is there any truth to this?

Intrigued by the claim, we reached out to celebrity chef Ananya Banerjee to fact-check and verify the information. According to Banerjee, colour-coding sponges is a common practice to prevent cross-contamination in kitchens. Here’s what the different colours usually represent:

Yellow: Used for general kitchen cleaning tasks.
Green: Suitable for scrubbing tougher stains or outdoor cleaning.
Blue: Ideal for delicate surfaces like glassware or easily scratched materials.
Pink/Red: Often reserved for cleaning areas with higher bacterial risk, like sinks or cutting boards used for raw meat.

Does sponge colour indicate material and abrasiveness?

Banerjee also said that beyond hygiene and cross-contamination concerns, the colour of a sponge can also indicate its material and level of abrasiveness. Green scrubbing pads are highly abrasive and designed for heavy-duty cleaning, making them ideal for tackling tough stains. In contrast, white or light-coloured pads are non-abrasive and safe for delicate surfaces such as non-stick cookware. A common versatile option is the yellow sponge with a green scrub layer, which combines a soft sponge side for gentle cleaning with a tougher scrub side for more stubborn grime.

The next time you pick up a sponge, take a moment to check its colour—it might just make your cleaning routine more efficient.