My apartment doesn’t have a dishwasher so I’ve quickly learned how important it is to find products that make hand-washing dishes less of a nuisance. A year ago, I came across Scrub Daddy sponges and since my first purchase, I haven't looked back. I know, I know, there’s only so many ways to revamp a sponge — it is a sponge, after all — but I genuinely feel like the experts at Scrub Daddy have thought of every last detail to make cleaning dishes an easier.

Each sponge is made of a FlexTexture material that changes its texture depending on the water’s temperature. When I dampen my sponge with warm water, it becomes soft and squishy, which is perfect for washing off sauces, oils, and other greasy ingredients. When I expose it to cold water? My sponge becomes firm and coarse so I can scrape away crusty food particles and tough stains.

Scrub Daddy also says its sponges are odor-free and wash off clean for up to two months. Admittedly, I was skeptical of these super-human claims, but have yet to have a stinky or visibly dirty sponge. While some shoppers say their Scrub Daddy sponges quickly deteriorate, I’ve found mine hold up well over time.

Today, there’s a whole family of Scrub Daddy sponges — including a plush Big Daddy sponge and traditional rectangular style — but I prefer the original Smiling Scrubbers. Its circular shape can fit easily inside my stemware and drinking glasses, while the smile is great for cleaning forks, spoons, and knives. Plus, seeing a cute, cheery smile as I’m doing something as dreadful as washing dishes is a major mood-lifter.

The one caveat? Its price. At approximately $6 a pop, Scrub Daddy’s smiling sponge is considerably more expensive than what you’d find at the dollar store. But, as far as I’m concerned, it’s well worth the small investment.