make your own SOS pads...

**sabrelvssammy** · 02-12-2009, 11:15 AM

don't buy sos pads (even generic ones) coz you can make your own super easy and they will last 10x's longer than 'store bought' and i have found they don't rust (coz i use them over and over)....

buy a package of steel wool (can find it at hardware stores or home improvement stores...wally world probably even has them)...mine come 10 to a package (but i don't remember where i got them coz i have had them for a couple of years now...see...that's how long they last)...and they are only a couple of bucks....

mine are really large so i 'tear' them in half before using....then add your favorite dish soap or whatever you use for 'sudsing' and your disinfectant and scrub away....when you are done with it put it somewhere to dry (i keep a little bowl in my bathroom that i throw them in)...make sure they can dry though...don't throw them in something sealed....

they do not fall apart (well EVENTUALLY they will) but not for a long time and you can re-use over and over...just wet them down... and add more 'cleaner' if necessary ....

**rainbowgc** · 02-12-2009, 12:02 PM

Thanks for the tip, a real money saver.

**Patty A** · 02-13-2009, 08:53 AM

Sure beats those little already made ones too!

**Grainlady** · 02-13-2009, 12:13 PM

There are different grades (coarsness) of steel wool, so that may be why your homemade ones last longer than SOS pads.

What do you use such an abrasive scrubber on in your bathroom? I can't imagine NEEDING a soap-filled steel pad for cleaning, or destroying the finish on anything in the bathroom with a steel scrubbing pad?

I've never understood why people use SOS pads.... My MIL always used them in the kitchen on pans and they were messy, fell apart, would rust and leave rust stains everywhere.

I use stainless steel scrub pads - they don't rust or fall apart. Rinse clean. When they get a little on the "sad-looking" side, we use them outside to clean our gardening tools off after we use them, for a second life for them.

One stainless steel scrubber will last years and they usually come three to a package. The last ones I purchased was at least 7-years ago. I use them (daily) to scour the mineral deposits out of my water distiller tank, and occasionally on some cooked-on gunk on one of my stainless steel pans.

**luvhilndr** · 02-13-2009, 02:06 PM

We rarely use SOS pads so a box lasts us a long time. Our gas stove has grey burner grates, which are a pain to keep nice-looking. I soak them for awhile in soapy water and take an SOS pad to clean the excess gunk off them. I'll definitely look for plain steel wool next time around.

A tip for storing SOS pads: I keep them (and my plastic mesh scrubby) in a container in the freezer door so they don't rust or get smelly.

**sabrelvssammy** · 02-13-2009, 06:09 PM

grainlady- your stainless steel scrub pads are no different than the steel wool pads i was referring to... my steel wool pads are very soft (no coarser than an sos pad when wet...an sos pad is only soft because it is 'soaked' in some kind of weird blue dried agent) once activated it can do as much damage as anything else...

for me personally an 'sos pad' does a better job of getting things thoroughly clean...i do not and have not had a problem with rubbing off finishes or scratching the items i am cleaning...when i am done-my fixtures shine like brand new...i think its all in how you go about it...i've seen people scratch things with washcloths and scrubbers before....

these will not fall apart, rust or any of the things the sos pads do....

**ladytoysdream** · 02-13-2009, 06:33 PM

Maybe I can try something different the next time I am needing SOS pads. I been buying the cheapest generic ones I can find.

I cut each one in half when I first open the box. This way if hubby uses them, less goes to waste. I just got to thinking....have not seem him use any in awhile....maybe because I put them in a plastic jug under the sink. Maybe he thinks I don't have any