I love SOS pads–they keep my cookie pans all pristine and nice, but I hate that you basically use them once and then the next time you wet them down, they are all brown and fally-aparty {that’s a real term}.
BUT, did you know that if you throw a used SOS pad into a ziploc bag and keep it in the freezer, you can basically triple the amount of use you will get out of it? Yep, I wouldn’t lie about this. The best part is that when you pull it out of the freezer and re-wet it, it’s still blue and normal looking {as opposed to rusty brown and disgusting}. This little tip means I’ve basically had the same box of SOS pads since 2005.
Have you ever tried to freeze your SOS pads? Works like a charm, right!?
~Mavis
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Crystal Ganey says
I also cut sos pads in half or quarters. you very seldom need the entire thing, and if it gets yucky/rusty, much easier to throw away! But you do have to be careful as the cut ends can poke you if you’re pushing on the cut side.
mrs. Chow says
What great tips!
Mrs. Mac says
Another way to get more life out of SOS pads .. squeeze out excess water and wrap in a piece of aluminum foil. Somehow this keeps them from rusting. My mom taught me this years ago.
Leslie says
I was raised by a woman, who was raised by a woman who raised 4 children through the great depression ….there are a lot of tips like these passed down from times of great need …being frugal and the mindset of not wasting, just comes naturally thanks to these great ladies… also living below the poverty line on disability insurance every penny makes such a huge difference …I love reading everybody’s tips : )
Lizzie says
You all are geniuses!! How did I not know this. I have suffered through brown rusty crusty yucky for years. Never again! Thank you!!
Kristina says
Wow! You just blew my mind. Seriously, awesome.
Judy says
Don’t soak them with water. Growing up I learned from all women to just barely wet the edge. You rarely need to scrub off a large mass of whatever, so the wet edge is more than enough. Also, whatever you are scrubbing, soak first, wash off as much as possible with dishrag and then with dish or pot out of water scrub with SOS, Brillo or whatever.
A box lasts me a long time, too.
Mavis says
Good tip. Thanks for sharing!
Barbara says
I keep mine in a small terra cotta flowerpot. It whisks away the moisture and maintains the pad through MANY uses,,,
Mavis says
Love this idea. Thanks for sharing!
Leslie says
my way of use is similar … I let mine dry out too…but I dont use them often, so once its TOTALLY dry…I just pop it in a ziplock and tuck the ziplock in the box, so I remember to use it next time I go for one… works really well ….zero waste …I love that stat : ) and I also use the tip someone listed…I only wet/use one area of the pad I’m using, leaving most of the pad intact …it preserves the blue stuff for the next job…or prevents it from getting used up while I’m working even if I end up using the whole pad
Donna says
Wow. What a wonderful idea. I’ll have to try it. All you ladies here are full of great ideas. Thanks so much.
dfox says
Great idea! I gotta try that.
I take sharp scissors and cut the pad in the smallest size I need. I almost never need the whole pad. Usually I just need a quarter of the pad often less. I do the same thing for the generic Mr. Clean Magic Sponges. It helps them last a looooong time!!
Speed bump says
Come on people, they are only $1.00 / box at the local Dollar store.
I must be more wealthy than I realize…
Nonetheless, good info!
Amanda says
I love this tip! Shared it with my readers! 🙂
Jane says
Thanky Thanky for all this good inoatmfrion!