Beware of hidden mold
I purchased this brush at WFM and only used it several times before cleaning it and putting it away, forgotten, under the sink.<br /><br />The bristles weren't stiff enough to wash root vegetables and I found the ring design a bit awkward to use. The narrow design of the bristles also meant a smaller contact space which meant scrubbing something wide like potatoes takes longer. Scrubbing and preparing potatoes already takes a significant amount of time, last thing I need is to double the scrubbing time, lol!<br /><br />I went back to my plastic Oxo with its short, firm bristles and wide profile that fits nicely in the palm of my hand. (I have no connection to that product.)<br /><br />I came across this brush again in my gadget tub and pulled it out, hoping I'd like it better this time. I used it occasionally for some lighter scrubbing for a couple weeks. I like to clean my brushes and upon a closer inspection I noticed black mold at the base of the holes where the bristles are anchored into the bamboo. Our climate is very dry here and my Oxo, which was quite a bit older, was fine. I think the wood base verses the plastic base in the Oxo creates an environment for mold growth. I normally try to avoid plastic, but mold as the alternative is a deal breaker.<br /><br />I have several natural bristle bottle brushes that have never molded so it's not a problem with the bristles, it's a problem with water not being able to air dry properly in the tight spaces where they are anchored into the bamboo. Cleaning vegetables with a moldy brush is not safe, even when the mold isn't obvious. Spores are microscopic and it doesn't take much to contaminate food, your hands, or the air. This is especially important for anyone sensitive to mycotoxins.
Rating: 2 stars