These sponges are my favorite. I prefer to use sponges when I wash the dishes - I have a dishwasher, but there are few things I don't like to put in there. I like that there is a sponge on one side and scrub on the other; works well for pots and pans. I don't use them to clean my counters because it just seems unsanitary to me - that's my own issue though. I use them on my sinks and bathtubs and I like them for those areas of my home as well. They have never scratched anything I have used them on and I like this brand because it is a little cheaper. My small town only has an overpriced grocery story and a Walmart which is very small and often out of things so I do a lot of my shopping on Amazon. Also because it's a small town with the next closest store being over 1/2 hour away, they can usually get away with jacking up prices so that another reason I shop for things like this online. If you can get it cheaper at a store near you, you should.