TIL those $1 scrub brushes from Dollar Tree actually outlast my name brand ones from Target

I always figured the cheap scrub brushes would fall apart after one kitchen session, but I grabbed a 4-pack last month for a deep clean of my grout lines in the bathroom. Figured I'd toss them after but they actually held up through like three tough scrubbings on tile and even some outdoor patio furniture. The bristles didn't shed everywhere and the handle didn't snap when I put some real elbow grease into it. I'm like legit confused because my $6 OXO one started bending after two months of light use. Maybe it's just me but the dollar store version feels sturdier cause the plastic isn't flimsy hollow stuff. Has anyone else noticed weird quality wins on the basic cleaning tools from the discount aisle?

2 comments

2 Comments

jana_henderson5215d agoTop Commenter

I bought a 4-pack of those Dollar Tree scrub brushes back in March for a grout project and they just finally started looking ratty last week after I used them on a greasy grill grate. The OXO one I had before started getting that cheap feeling where the handle gets flimsy and the bristles go sideways after maybe two months. I think the dollar store plastic is just denser or something because it doesn't flex like the name brand stuff does. The handle is solid and the bristles are actually stiff enough to dig into dried on gunk without bending. It kind of makes me wonder if the big brands are just charging for the name and a fancier looking handle. I grabbed another 4-pack last weekend just to have them around.

simonl8615d ago

Honestly @jana_henderson52 I think you're right about the plastic being denser. I've noticed the same thing with a few dollar store tools where the cheaper ones actually hold up better than stuff from Target. But I gotta say, the OXO handle is supposed to flex a bit so it's softer on your hand, not because it's cheap. Still, if the dollar store ones are lasting longer for you that's all that matters.