Every scouring pad is a trade between how fast it cuts and how much it marks. A green pad that strips burnt beans from a steel pot can dull a glass lid. A steel wool pad that makes an aluminum pan shine can ruin a nonstick coating in one pass. The trick is matching the pad to the surface, and the maker’s text is the best place to find that out, when it says anything at all.
This guide covers disposable and reusable pads for pots, pans and sinks, sorted by what they can scratch. It is not about chainmail for cast iron, which has its own guide to the best chainmail scrubber, or about brushes, covered in our kitchen scrub brush guide. Where a maker does not name a surface, we say so and do not fill in the gap.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, verified buyer reports and the makers’ stated surfaces. We have not used these products ourselves.
Quick verdict: which scouring pads to buy
Most kitchens need two pads. For everyday dishes and nonstick, the best scouring pads are the Scotch-Brite Zero Scratch Scouring Pads, which 3M names for nonstick pots and pans, glass and dishes. For burnt-on food on uncoated pans and oven racks, add the Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scouring Pads. If you prefer soap already in the pad, S.O.S Steel Wool Soap Pads are the classic, but keep them away from nonstick.
Five scouring pads at a glance
Five picks side by side, from gentlest to toughest, with the surfaces each maker names. All nine are reviewed below.
| Scouring pad | Best for | Maker names | Maker warns against | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Scotch-Brite Zero Scratch Scouring PadsBest everyday pad
|
Everyday dishes, nonstick | Nonstick pots and pans, glass, dishes, countertops | Stainless steel appliances | View on Amazon |
Skoy Scrub Reusable ScrubbersBest reusable gentle pad
|
Gentle, washable scrubber | Most nonstick pans, ceramic, glass, cooktops | Test delicate surfaces first | View on Amazon |
Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scouring PadsBest heavy-duty pad
|
Baked-on food on bare pans | Uncoated pots and pans, grates, oven racks, grills | Stainless appliances, sinks, glass | View on Amazon |
S.O.S Steel Wool Soap PadsBest steel wool soap pad
|
Soap-filled steel wool | Tough messes, inside and outside the home | See S.O.S notes below | View on Amazon |
Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel ScrubbersBest metal scrubber
|
Burnt-on food, heavy jobs | Non-coated cookware, grates, oven racks, broilers | Coated cookware by implication | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Surface details are from each maker or listing; check the package and your cookware maker’s care guide before scrubbing.
Our picks for the best scouring pads
We start with the gentlest and work toward the toughest. Scotch-Brite appears three times because its range really does cover three different jobs, and its labels are the clearest about surfaces.
1. Scotch-Brite Zero Scratch Scouring Pads – Gentle Enough for Nonstick
If you only buy one pad, this should be it, because it is the hardest one to misuse. 3M says these flexible pads are ideal for nonstick pots and pans, countertops, dishes, glass, tubs and showers, and warns against one surface: stainless steel appliances.
Being gentle has a cost. These will not shift a burnt ring from a steel pot as fast as a green pad. For daily dishes, though, and for anyone with nonstick or glass bakeware, it is the safe choice. Check the pad label as well; 3M’s wording has varied a little across pages.
Why we like it
- Named for nonstick pots and pans
- Also named for glass and dishes
- Only one surface warned against
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Key specifications
| Model | 623-10 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-scratch scour pad |
| Abrasive | Gentle synthetic |
| Surfaces named | Nonstick, countertops, dishes, glass, tubs, showers |
| Avoid, per maker | Stainless steel appliances |
| Count | 3 |
| Soap included | No |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
The everyday sink pad for most homes, and the one to give to anyone who might grab the wrong pad.
Skip it if your main problem is burnt-on food on steel; go to the Heavy Duty pad for that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Hard to misuse
- Works across most kitchen surfaces
- Flexible
Cons
- Slower on burnt food
- Not for stainless appliances
- Small pack
2. Skoy Scrub Reusable Scrubbers – Washable Cotton-Fiber Scrub
Skoy Scrub is made in Europe from remnant cotton fibers and a hardener, and it is designed to replace old green scouring pads and sponges. The maker says it is safe on most surfaces, including most nonstick pans, ceramic, glass and cooktops, and asks you to test on delicate surfaces first.
You clean it by popping it in the dishwasher’s top rack, then use it again. It will not scrub like a green pad; its appeal is that it replaces a stack of throwaway ones. It comes in a four-pack in mixed designs.
Why we like it
- Goes in the dishwasher
- Named for most nonstick, ceramic and glass
- Made from remnant cotton, per Skoy
- Four in a pack
Key specifications
| Model | SK402 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cotton-fiber scrubber |
| Abrasive | Cotton fiber with hardener |
| Surfaces named | Most nonstick, ceramic, glass, cooktops |
| Avoid, per maker | Test delicate surfaces first |
| Count | 4 |
| Soap included | No |
| Care | Top rack of dishwasher |
Why we recommend it
A good choice for a low-waste kitchen where most washing is light.
Skip it if you need to clear baked-on food, as this is not a heavy scourer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reusable
- Non-scratching, per the maker
- Top rack cleanup
Cons
- Less cutting power
- Colors and designs vary
- Maker says most surfaces, not all
3. Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scouring Pads – For Uncoated Pots and Grates
This is the classic green pad, and its listing is unusually clear. It says these are ideal for uncoated pots and pans, grates, oven racks and outdoor grills, and it warns: “Do not use on stainless steel appliances, sinks or glass.” So this one is for pans and grills, not for the sink itself, and certainly not for coated pans.
3M says the fibers are made from 100 percent recycled plastic and the pads can be sanitized in the dishwasher 20 or more times. It will scratch polished steel if you use it hard, so go with the grain on brushed steel pans.
Why we like it
- Clear surface warnings on the listing
- Made for baked-on messes
- Fibers from recycled plastic, per 3M
- Dishwasher sanitizing, per 3M
Key specifications
| Model | 228-EC |
|---|---|
| Type | Green scour pad |
| Abrasive | Synthetic with abrasive |
| Surfaces named | Uncoated pots and pans, grates, oven racks, grills |
| Avoid, per maker | Stainless steel appliances, sinks, glass |
| Count | 8 |
| Soap included | No |
| Care | Dishwasher sanitize up to 20 times |
Why we recommend it
Keep a pack under the sink for burnt beans and sheet pans; just keep it apart from the everyday pad.
Skip it if you own mostly nonstick or enameled pans, or you tend to scrub the sink with whatever is nearest.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong cutting power
- Long list of named uses
- Multiple pads
Cons
- Scratches several common surfaces
- Not for sinks or glass
- Sold by a third-party seller at last check
4. Libman 66 Heavy Duty Scouring Pads – Wide Scrubbing Surface
Libman’s pad is a bigger format, about 7 by 4 inches, made of heat-set synthetic fibers. The listing says it is excellent for removing grease, mildew and other household messes, and that Libman has been making products in the USA since 1896. A larger pad covers more of a sheet pan or griddle with each pass.
What it does not say matters here. There is no list of surfaces to use or avoid, so we would treat it like any heavy synthetic pad and keep it off coated pans, glass and polished steel. Test first on anything you care about.
Why we like it
- Large 7 x 4 inch surface
- Heat-set fibers
- US maker, per the listing
- Three in a pack
Key specifications
| Model | 00066 |
|---|---|
| Type | Synthetic scour pad |
| Abrasive | Heat-set synthetic fibers |
| Surfaces named | Not stated beyond grease and mildew |
| Avoid, per maker | Not stated |
| Count | 3 |
| Soap included | No |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Handy for big flat jobs such as sheet pans and oven doors, where a small pad is slow.
Skip it if you want a clear statement of safe surfaces; this listing does not give one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big surface
- Made by an established US brand
- Works on general household grime
Cons
- No surfaces named
- Third-party seller at last check
- May be large for small hands
5. Amazon Basics Heavy Duty Scour Pads – Plain Green-Pad Alternative
Amazon’s own version openly compares itself with the Scotch-Brite heavy-duty pad. The listing says the pads remove baked-on food, grease and grime from pots, pans and cooking surfaces, and that the fibers contain 20 percent post-consumer recycled content. There are four to a pack.
The listing names no surfaces to avoid. That is a gap, not a promise of safety, so treat it like the Scotch-Brite green pad: keep it off nonstick, glass and polished stainless steel. We found no independent review.
Why we like it
- Simple four-pack
- Fibers with 20 percent recycled content, per listing
- Sold by Amazon
- Named for pots, pans and cooking surfaces
Key specifications
| Model | PD-MCDW04RGL1 |
|---|---|
| Type | Green scour pad |
| Abrasive | Abrasive synthetic |
| Surfaces named | Pots, pans, cooking surfaces |
| Avoid, per maker | Not stated |
| Count | 4 |
| Soap included | No |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Reasonable if you already buy cleaning supplies from Amazon and want a plain heavy pad.
Skip it if you want the surface warnings spelled out; Scotch-Brite’s listing does that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plain and simple
- Sold by Amazon
- Recycled content stated
Cons
- No surfaces to avoid are named
- No independent review found
- Amazon-first brand
6. S.O.S Steel Wool Soap Pads – Soap Built Into the Pad
S.O.S combines steel wool and long-lasting soap, and the listing calls it reusable with “incredible scrubbing power.” A sibling S.O.S listing says the pads make aluminum, iron and stainless steel pots and pans sparkle. Clorox owns the brand, and material on the S.O.S site says steel wool is too abrasive for non-stick, enamel and anodized cookware, so keep it off those.
Clorox’s own stainless steel cleaning advice also says it is “best to avoid using steel wool on stainless steel,” which sits awkwardly beside that sibling listing. We read the difference this way: pot interiors may be fair game if you accept fine scratches, while polished appliances and sinks are not. Check your cookware maker’s care guide first. Note that this listing also has text about wipes that does not seem to fit the product.
Why we like it
- Soap already in the pad
- Named for aluminum, iron and stainless pots on a sibling listing
- Lemon scent
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Key specifications
| Model | 10001 |
|---|---|
| Type | Steel wool soap pad |
| Abrasive | Steel wool |
| Surfaces named | Aluminum, iron and stainless pots, per sibling listing |
| Avoid, per maker | Non-stick, enamel, anodized, per S.O.S material |
| Count | 10 |
| Soap included | Yes |
| Care | Rinse and reuse |
Why we recommend it
Good for bare aluminum pans and old sheet pans that have lost their shine, if you like the convenience of built-in soap.
Skip it if you own nonstick, enameled or anodized cookware and are likely to grab the wrong pad.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No extra soap needed
- Strong on baked-on food
- A familiar product
Cons
- Off limits for coated cookware
- Clorox advises against steel wool on stainless steel generally
- Rusts if left wet
7. Brillo Heavy Duty Steel Wool Soap Pads – More Soap, More Wool
Brillo’s heavy-duty pad claims twice the soap and twice the wool of its original pad, in a square shape with bonded edges to reach into corners. The soap carries an anti-rust formula.
Brillo’s FAQ says its soap pads are safe on glass as long as there is soap in the pad, and tells you to test delicate or highly polished surfaces in a hidden spot first. It did not address nonstick when we read it, so we would keep it away from coated surfaces, as you would any steel wool. Retailers repeat that caution, but we did not find Brillo saying it directly.
Why we like it
- Twice the soap and wool of the original, per Brillo
- Square shape reaches corners
- Anti-rust soap formula
- Maker FAQ addresses glass
Key specifications
| Model | 23366 |
|---|---|
| Type | Steel wool soap pad |
| Abrasive | Steel wool |
| Surfaces named | Glass with soap in the pad, per Brillo FAQ |
| Avoid, per maker | Test delicate or highly polished surfaces first |
| Count | 10 |
| Soap included | Yes |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Good for the toughest pots if you prefer steel wool and find a standard soap pad gives up too soon.
Skip it if you own coated cookware and share the sink with people who grab the first pad they see.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Heavy-duty build
- Corners reach well
- Soap included
Cons
- Nonstick not addressed by the maker
- Sold by a third-party seller at last check
- Metal strands shed as the pad wears
8. Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Scrubbers – Metal Scrub Without Soap
These are ball-shaped stainless steel scrubbers, with no soap. 3M says they are best for tough stains on non-coated cookware, grill grates, oven racks and broilers. Since stainless steel does not rust the way plain steel wool can, they may hold up well between uses.
Scotch-Brite states “non-coated” plainly, so take that as the warning: this is not for nonstick or enamel. As with any metal scrubber on a cast iron pan, it can take seasoning with it, which is why cast iron cooks tend to prefer our chainmail scrubber instead.
Why we like it
- Named for non-coated cookware and grates
- No soap, so you pick your own
- Three in a pack
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Key specifications
| Model | 214C |
|---|---|
| Type | Stainless steel scrubber |
| Abrasive | Stainless steel |
| Surfaces named | Non-coated cookware, grates, oven racks, broilers |
| Avoid, per maker | Coated cookware by implication |
| Count | 3 |
| Soap included | No |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A strong tool for burnt-on food on bare steel pans and grill grates, and a good partner to dish soap you already like.
Skip it if you mainly cook on nonstick, enamel or seasoned cast iron.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very tough on burnt food
- Clear stated uses
- No soap to dry out
Cons
- Can scratch softer surfaces
- Not for coated pans
- No soap, so you supply your own
9. New Star Foodservice Stainless Steel Scrubbers – Restaurant-Size Bulk Pack
This is the restaurant option: twelve extra-large 50-gram stainless scrubbers in single-strand construction, which the listing says helps prevent unraveling. It names pots, pans, baking dishes, grills, ovens and other durable kitchen surfaces. New Star Foodservice is the seller as well as the brand.
The word “durable” is the only guidance on surfaces, so read that as no coatings, no glass and no polished finishes. For a home kitchen a dozen is a lot, but they are handy if you cook often on a flat-top or grill.
Why we like it
- Twelve 50-gram scrubbers
- Single-strand construction, per the listing
- Sold directly by the maker
- Named for pots, pans and grills
Key specifications
| Model | 54460 |
|---|---|
| Type | Stainless steel scrubber |
| Abrasive | Stainless steel |
| Surfaces named | Pots, pans, baking dishes, grills, ovens, durable surfaces |
| Avoid, per maker | Not stated beyond durable surfaces |
| Count | 12 |
| Soap included | No |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A good choice for a busy kitchen or a big family that goes through scrubbers quickly.
Skip it if you only scrub a burnt pot now and then; twelve will last a long time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large size
- Lots in a pack
- Sold by the maker
Cons
- Surface guidance is vague
- Too many for many homes
- Not for coated surfaces
How to choose scouring pads
1. Start from the surface, not the mess
Nonstick, enamel, anodized aluminum and glass need a non-scratch pad. Bare steel, cast aluminum and oven racks can take a green pad. Steel wool and metal scrubbers are the last resort. The Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty listing warns against stainless appliances, sinks and glass, so a pad that suits a pot can still be wrong for the sink it is washed in. For seasoned cast iron, follow your maker’s advice; our cast iron skillet guide covers that.
2. Keep two pads and do not mix them up
Most scratch damage at home comes from the wrong pad being nearest. Buy your gentle pad and heavy pad in different colors and keep the heavy pad away from the everyday sponge spot. A label or a separate caddy helps.
3. Soap in the pad or not
Soap pads save a step, but they are made for one or two heavy jobs, and steel wool can rust once wet. Soapless pads last longer and let you use your own dish soap.
4. Soak first
This has nothing to do with which pad you buy, and it may matter more. Hot water and soap for 20 minutes lift a lot of burnt food, so you need less pressure and scratch less. A plastic scraper can take the worst off before the pad comes out.
5. Test and replace
Try a new pad in a hidden corner first, as Brillo recommends for delicate surfaces. Throw out any pad that smells, sheds badly or has worn thin. 3M says its heavy-duty pads can be sanitized in the dishwasher; follow the package for any other pad.
What these pads can scratch
Going only by what the makers state: Scotch-Brite warns the Heavy Duty pad off stainless steel appliances, sinks and glass, and the Zero Scratch pad off stainless steel appliances. Material on the S.O.S site says steel wool is too abrasive for non-stick, enamel and anodized cookware. Clorox says to avoid steel wool on stainless steel generally. Brillo says to test delicate or highly polished surfaces. Skoy says to test delicate surfaces. Libman, Amazon Basics and New Star give no specific list, which does not make them safe on everything.
How we picked these nine pads
We looked for pads and scrubbers from identifiable makers, in stock from a new offer on Amazon, that did not duplicate what is on our sponge, brush and cast iron pages. We read each listing and, where we could, the maker’s own pages for stated surfaces. We left out O-Cedar’s Scrunge, which is a sponge rather than a pad, and chainmail, which has its own guide.
Our searches found no independent comparison of scouring pads that we trust, so this page rests on the makers’ and listings’ words, and we have not used these pads ourselves. A CPSC recall search by brand name found none of these pads listed; the Amazon Basics recalls we saw were for unrelated products.
Scouring pad questions, answered
What is the best non-scratch scrub pad?
The Scotch-Brite Zero Scratch pad is the one here with the clearest statement: 3M names nonstick pots and pans, glass and dishes. Skoy Scrub is a reusable alternative that names most nonstick, ceramic and glass.
Can you use scouring pads on nonstick pans?
Only pads the maker names for nonstick. Do not use green pads, steel wool or metal scrubbers on a coating.
Do scouring pads scratch stainless steel pans?
Abrasive pads can leave fine marks. 3M warns the Heavy Duty pad off stainless appliances and sinks, and Clorox advises against steel wool on stainless. If you use one on a pan, go with the grain and accept some marking.
Can you use scouring pads on cast iron?
Harsh abrasives can remove seasoning. Scotch-Brite names cast iron cooktops in the title of its heavy-duty pad, but for cast iron pans many cooks prefer a plastic scraper or chainmail, then re-oil afterward.
How often should you replace a scouring pad?
When it smells after washing, falls apart or stops cutting. Makers do not give a single rule; 3M says its heavy-duty pads can go through the dishwasher 20 times or more.
Our final pick for the sink
Related guide: Best kitchen sponges.
Keep the Zero Scratch pad at the sink for everyday dishes and the Heavy Duty pad under it for burnt-on food on bare metal. For the rest of the sink kit, see the best dish cloths and our dish cloth vs sponge comparison. If you would rather not scrub tonight, Julia’s is at 5402 N Highway 6 in Houston: call to order.