winter sun through the kitchen window / beeswax candle, fressia buds, buddha, hand wash and wooden dish brush

I realise that to some a wooden dish brush versus a plastic one is a very trivial matter. But when your small home begs for simplicity you soon realise that its contents need to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

If meditative cleaning was ever possible I would achieve it at the kitchen sink (it’s also the perfect opportunity to strengthen my core). The window above my sink frames an abundance of towering gum trees and the windowsill holds an ever-changing vignette – candles, fresh flowers, a buddha brought back from Bali. As far as chores go I really don’t mind the dishes (I’ll take it over bathroom cleaning any day).

When it comes to the practical elements of dishwashing I’ve done a bit of research and discovered products that fit my criteria of eco-friendly, reusable and practical. When I found out that a single plastic dishwashing brush takes 1000 years to decompose I sought out an alternative.

I’ve tried a few brands of wooden brushes but my favourite by far is the Redecker range  – it has a little metal hook on the end so you can easily hang it off the sill and it comes with a replaceable head which I change every 5 months or so. I’ve had the handle for a year and a half and it’s still going strong. I also use the pot scrubbing brush and place both in a cup of water, vinegar, bi-carb and lemon juice for a few minutes when they need a good clean. The best way to ensure wooden brushes last (and don’t succumb to mould) is to never leave them soaking in a sink of suds and to always dry them in sunshine, if possible.

I’ve noticed there’s quite a range of bamboo and eco dishcloths available in the supermarkets now and whilst I’ve tried a few brands my favourites at the ones that can be washed and used again and again. These tidy cloths are great if you want a textured cloth and these sponge cloths can be washed over 300 times. If handmade is more your thing I adore these knitted cloths.

“simply practical” – a new series that documents the simple and practical things I use around the home.