Recommendation Service
- TOP
- Kids and baby
- Baby supplies
- 9 Best Tried and True Japanese Bottle Brushes in 2023 (Sanco, Aisen, and More)
9 Best Tried and True Japanese Bottle Brushes in 2023 (Sanco, Aisen, and More)
Brushes for bottles are indispensable for cleaning water bottles, tumblers, flower vases, and more. They're convenient to clean the deep corners that sponges and scrubbers cannot reach. But with so many options, it can be difficult to know which product is the best to purchase.
Our editors searched e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping for the 17 most popular bottle brushes and tested them all.
We tested each of the products for the following:
- Cleaning Ability
- Ease of Use
We then ranked the products and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese bottle brushes available.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
Table of Contents
- 9Best Japanese Bottle Brushes Ranking
- No. 1: KOKUBO | Melamine Sponge Bottle Brush
- No. 2: Aisen | Extendable Bottle Cleaner with Stand | PKB611
- No. 3: MUJI | Sponge with Handle | 02526306
- No. 4: Sanco | Fresh and Sparkling Bottle Brush | BL-45
- No. 5: OH:E | My Pasty III Extendable Bottle Brush
- 4 more products
- How We Tested the Products
- Check Out These Other Fine Household Products!
How to Choose Japanese Bottle Brushes
Here are three essential points to keep in mind when choosing a Japanese bottle brush to purchase.
① Choose Based on Brush Type
Bottle brushes mainly come in bristle types and sponge types. They each have their merits and demerits which we will explain below.
Bristle Types Are Good for Bottles With Wide Mouths
Bristle-type bottle brushes are perfect for bottles whose mouths are similar in size to the bottle.
It'll make cleaning inside the bottle easier since you can do it in a few strokes, or even one! Good quality brushes like these last a long time, so you won't have to buy new ones repeatedly.
Sponge Type Bottle Brushes Are the Most Versatile
There are several different kinds of sponge-type brushes. Some clean effectively without dish detergent. Some are designed to fit inside bottles with smaller openings. Since they tend to be made of softer material than bristle-type brushes, they won't damage the inside of your bottles.
Although they are less durable than bristle-type brushes, many sponge-type brushes have replaceable heads, which can save money since you only have to replace the head instead of the whole thing. Plus, occasionally replacing the brush head with a new one makes cleaning more sanitary.
② Choose Based on Size
Purchase a brush that matches the size of the bottles you tend to use. Take into account both the length of your bottles and the diameter of the mouth openings.
Choose a Length That Matches the Height of Your Bottles
Shorter brushes won't be able to reach the bottom of the bottle, but ones that are too long will be more difficult to use. So, check the length of your bottles beforehand and purchase a brush with an appropriate size.
There are even some adjustable brushes capable of extending and contracting. We recommend those for people who own several bottles of different sizes.
Choose a Brush With a Head That Fits the Mouth of Your Bottle
Choosing a brush with a head that easily fits inside the bottle you use most often is very important. It may seem like a good idea to purchase a brush capable of fitting inside smaller-mouthed bottles, but if the sponge is too small, you might have difficulty cleaning the entirety of the bottle on the inside.
However, we recommend purchasing a brush made with a softer, more pliable and versatile material for bottles with a more petite mouth that opens up to a broader inside.
③ Find One That's Easy to Use
Make sure you purchase a bottle brush that feels comfortable and is easy to use since you'll be using it often.
We Recommend a Brush That Comes With Its Own Stand
Longer bottle brushes can't be stored in regular sponge racks. That's why we recommend brushes with open handles, capable of being hung on S-hooks. Sponge-type brushes last much longer when completely dried out, so they should definitely be hung up to dry.
If you don't have a hook to hang brushes like the one we described above, you can also purchase a brush with a holder or a stand.
Check to See if Your Brush Requires Dish Detergent
The most troublesome part of washing bottles is rinsing the detergent out after brushing them. It could prove quite difficult and time-consuming to rinse out larger bottles. To minimize effort in this area, consider purchasing a brush that doesn't require you to use dish detergent.
However, many brushes that don't require dish detergent come with hard, bristly heads, which could scratch the inside of your bottle. Make sure to check the material of the brush before purchasing.
9
Best Japanese Bottle Brushes Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | KOKUBO Melamine Sponge Bottle Brush | | Amazing Cleaning Power at a Reasonable Price | |
2 | Aisen Extendable Bottle Cleaner with Stand | | An Extendable Bottle Brush That Comes With a Stand | |
3 | MUJI Sponge with Handle | | A Highly-Functional Sponge With a Stainless Steel Handle | |
4 | Sanco Fresh and Sparkling Bottle Brush | | Unique Spherical Brush Shape That Cleans in All Directions! | |
5 | OH:E My Pasty III Extendable Bottle Brush | | Cleans Well, but the Lengthening Feature Isn't Very Good | |
6 | Yamazaki Corporation Kitchen Bath Bon Kun Bottle Brush | | A Well-Designed Brush With Excellent Cleaning Power, but Lacks Durability | |
7 | Sanko Stainless Steel Bottle Washing | | Thin Brush We Recommend Only to Clean Tight Areas | |
8 | Mameita Spinning Long Bottle Brush | | Long Brush Gives Lots of Reach, Requires Some Technique to Use | |
9 | LEC Gekiochi Bottle Wash Elastic (Beads) | | The Adhesive Sponge is Too Soft and Makes Scrubbing Difficult |
KOKUBOMelamine Sponge Bottle Brush
Amazing Cleaning Power at a Reasonable Price
Kokubo Kogyosha's Melamine Sponge Bottle Washer comes with a melamine sponge. These have a great reputation for their ability to remove stains effectively.
Another selling point for this product is that it comes with two types of sponges. Having two sponges make it more versatile, allowing it to clean difficult to reach areas and remove stains.
This product comes at great value for such great cleaning and ease of use. The sponge can be removed for cleaning and replacement, and with such a cheap price it can be easily replaced. It's a bottle brush that is well worth the purchase!
AisenExtendable Bottle Cleaner with Stand ｜ PKB611
An Extendable Bottle Brush That Comes With a Stand
Not only will this brush reach the corners of your bottle, its wide brush head will allow you to clean larger surfaces with ease. Its flexible sponge head fits any shape of bottle and removes tough stains.
The brush length is adjustable, and the lengthening piece is made of stainless steel, making it durable and long-lasting. Another great point is that it comes with a stand for easy storage.
MUJISponge with Handle ｜ 02526306
A Highly-Functional Sponge With a Stainless Steel Handle
MUJI's bottle sponge with a handle has a fine grain brush head that can really cut through tough dirt and stains. The flexibility of the sponge allows you to reach all corners of bottles from different angles.
The stainless steel handle has a stylish minimalist design. Attaching and detaching the sponge is also extremely easy to do, letting you replace old sponges with clean sponges after a time.
SancoFresh and Sparkling Bottle Brush ｜ BL-45
Unique Spherical Brush Shape That Cleans in All Directions!
The soft and fluffy sponge has remarkable absorbency and can clean anywhere inside any bottle. Its flexibility allows it to get in corners and grooves, but the large head doesn't fit into bottles with small mouth openings. The high absorbency of the sponge makes it retain water, so be sure to dry it out thoroughly.
OH:EMy Pasty III Extendable Bottle Brush
Cleans Well, but the Lengthening Feature Isn't Very Good
The sponge type head is malleable, allowing you to clean corners and grooves. Although you'd think the extendable feature would be convenient to have, it causes the handle to bend a bit, compromising its durability. It is also difficult to dry quickly which is why we rated it low in terms of ease of use.
Yamazaki CorporationKitchen Bath Bon Kun Bottle Brush
A Well-Designed Brush With Excellent Cleaning Power, but Lacks Durability
This brush is made with two different kinds of fibers, each with a different hardness, making scrubbing and getting rid of tough stains very easy. The high density of the bristles is good for absorption, and drying the brush proved easy enough. However, the brush itself wears out quickly and there are no replaceable heads.
SankoStainless Steel Bottle Washing
Thin Brush We Recommend Only to Clean Tight Areas
The unique fibers of this sponge showed average results in terms of cleaning ability. The diameter of the sponge is about the same as the handle, so it takes a lot of effort to wash the sides of the bottle. It took longer to dry compared to other sponge type brushes.
MameitaSpinning Long Bottle Brush ｜ KB-88
Long Brush Gives Lots of Reach, Requires Some Technique to Use
This brush which has a sponge attached was average in terms of cleaning ability. The spinning handle worked, but overall it didn't feel like the brush was able to scrub very effectively. Since this brush is made with two materials of different hardness, it requires some technique to know how much force should be applied when using this brush.
LECGekiochi Bottle Wash Elastic (Beads)
The Adhesive Sponge is Too Soft and Makes Scrubbing Difficult
This brush features a sponges at angles which allow it to clean out the corners of bottles, however we found that the sponges were too soft and didn't transfer force very well. The three-step adjustable length handle didn't have a very good adjusting mechanism and felt shaky when using. Further, the sponges didn't dry out very well either.
How We Tested the Products
We searched e-commerce sites popular in Japan such as Amazon and Rakuten for the 17 best-selling bottle brushes and put them to the test!
We tested each of the products for the following:
- Cleaning power
- Ease of Use
Test ① Cleaning Power
First, we tested each brush for how well it cleaned bottles. For the test, we diluted some red paint with water to have it stain the inside of the bottles.
Then, we tested to see the number of strokes of the brush it took to get the stain clean and whether or not the brush was able to reach and clean the bottom of the bottle entirely. We then scored them out of five.
Sponge Brushes Were Versatile and Reached the Bottom
In our tests, the sponge-type brushes were the most effective. Some might be inclined to use a brush with a firmer brush head, but we found that the sponge type cleaned effectively and was practical for everyday use.
Among the sponge types we tested, products with long handles and sponges that spread out at the ends tended to clean the bottles best. These features assured that the brush would both reach and clean the bottom of the bottle effectively.
Test ② Ease of Use
Next, we tested the brushes to see how easy they were to use.
We tested for how easy they were to maintain and dry after each use and whether or not they were designed to stay clean and sanitary. We then gave them a rating out of five.
Brushes With Replaceable Heads Are the Most Sanitary
Brushes with detachable and disposable heads are great for sanitary reasons. However, some brushes with replaceable heads could be too difficult to detach, making them inconvenient. Brush heads that were difficult to detach lost points in terms of ease of use.
Our test results showed that cheaper brushes were lower in quality and had flimsier handles, which can break easily if too much pressure is applied.
Check Out These Other Fine Household Products!
This time around, we examined brushes specifically for cleaning bottles, but if you're in the market for products to help you out around the home, why stop there? Check out these other articles!
Top 5 Japanese Bottle Brushes
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Popular articles
- 8 Best Diaper Bags in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]Diaper bagsBabies need a lot of supplies, from bottles to wipes to diapers, and a proper diaper bag will make it much easier to carry everything you need for a day out with your little one. They come as backpacks, tote bags, and messenger bags, sold by brands such as Fisher-Price, Eddie Bauer, and many others, so you might be stumped over which to choose.
- 12 Best Baby Bouncers in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]Baby bouncerBaby bouncers gently rock and comfort your child. They also serve as a good place for your baby while you clean or take a shower. A number of companies offer these bouncers, including Baby Bjorn, Bright Starts, Ingenuity, and others, but there are a variety of different types, so it can be hard to find the best one for your needs.
- 12 Best Straw Cups in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]Straw CupsWhile your baby is learning to eat solid food, one item you'll want to have on hand until they're about six months old is a straw cup. They're helpful for learning how to drink through a straw and can also be carried around when you go out. But with so many options from companies like b.box, Munchkin, and OXO Tot, you might have a difficult time choosing one.
- 10 Best Playpens in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]PlaypensA playpen is a safe place for your baby to play, so you can put them in there while you take care of chores around the house. North States, Regalo International, The California Beach, and various other companies produce these products. However, you may be wondering if you really need a playpen, if they are really safe, or have other concerns, and you wouldn’t be alone.
- 10 Best Baby High Chairs in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]Baby High ChairsBaby high chairs are convenient items that allow you to eat at the same table as your baby. Some people may consider buying one around the time they start teaching their child to eat baby food. There are many baby high chairs available from companies like Stokke, Graco, and Lalo, but you might be wondering which ones are comfortable for your child to sit in and easy to care for.
- 10 Best Portable High Chairs in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]Portable High ChairsPortable high chairs are handy when dining out with children at restaurants. They're compact, making them perfect for those with limited space at home or those who prioritize space-saving. Various products are available from brands like Inglesina, Chicco, and Summer Infant Products. However, you may feel hesitant due to various uncertainties, such as questioning if it is safe or how it attaches to the table.
- 10 Best Strollers in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]StrollersFor babies on the go, the stroller is the vehicle of choice—and a parent's best friend. With many options available from manufacturers like BabyZen, Doona, and UPPAbaby, we're here to help you find the top stroller. We pushed strollers around for hours to answer your questions about maneuverability, convenience, and comfort.
- 14 Best Diapers in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]DiapersChoosing the best baby supplies can be challenging. Diapers are something you'll use every day after your little one is born, but it's hard to know which are gentle on your baby's skin and prevent leaks and diaper rashes. Besides well-known names such as Pampers and Huggies, there are many newer brands. So how can you pick out the best diaper?
- 10 Best School Supplies in 2023 (Helix, School Supply Boxes, and More)Kids suppliesAs your kids go back to school, it's time to stock them up on crayons, colored pencils, markers, and scissors, making you wonder where last year's supply has disappeared to. School supplies shopping might be fun and exciting for new parents but can quickly become a tedious chore for others.Fortunately, School Supply Boxes has got you covered with their kits filled with all the essentials your little ones might need for elementary school. We've included a list of 9 other things your child might require, as well as a buying guide to assist you in making a thorough and complete school supplies list!
- 10 Best Snacks for Breastfeeding in 2023 (Munchkin, Pink Stork, and More)Maternity suppliesStruggling with a low milk supply? There are many lactation snacks that can help increase your milk supply while at the same time giving you a boost in energy and nutrition. They are made with galactagogues, milk-increasing ingredients, to jumpstart your milk production and flow. Lactation snacks also come in a wide variety of flavors, from savory to sweet. Munchkin's Milkmaker Lactation Cookie Bites were our favorite lactation snacks! They include many ingredients that help boost milk production, including rolled oats, brewer's yeast, and flaxseed. If you want more options, there are nine other tasty snacks on our list of favorites for you to check out! We also included a buying guide at the end to help you pick the right lactation snacks for yourself.
Search by category
Apps
Business apps, Cooking apps, Dating appsHome goods
Bath supplies, Ceremonial occasion supplies, Cleaning suppliesHome electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, AV accessories, Blenders and food processorsPC
Computer supplies, Desktop computers, TabletsCamera
Camera bags and backpacks, Camera supplies, Digital single lens camerasBeauty
Blushes, Bronzers, CleansersHealth
Body care products, Health accessories, Health foods and supplementsFood and drinks
Alcohol, Breads and jams, Cocktails and ready-to-drink alcoholic beveragesKitchen
Coffee and tea products, Cooking utensils, CupsFashion
Footwear products, Men's shoes, SandalsShoes
Accessories
Wristwatches, Accessories and jewelry, Umbrellas and parasolsKids and baby
Baby carriers, Baby food, Baby formulaInterior
Beds, Beds and bedding, ChairsHobbies
Aromatherapy products, Art supplies, Arts and collectiblesOutdoor
Barbecue grills and fire pits, Camping beds and cots, Camping gearHome, garden, and tools
Agricultural materials and gardening supplies, Exterior and garden furniture, Materials and repairing agentsSports and fitness
Sports shoes, Surfing supplies, Badminton suppliesPets
Bird and small animal supplies, Cat supplies, Dog suppliesMedia
Books and magazines, CD, Children's books, picture books and illustrated encyclopediasGames
Gaming accessories, Nintendo Switch games, PC gamesAutomotive
Car accessories, Car navigation systemsGifts
Christmas gifts, Father's Day gifts, Gifts for childrenMobile devices
Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watches