Is a Brillo pad the same as steel wool?

Author: Hettie Kulas  |  Last update: Sunday, August 10, 2025

Brillo is a trade name for a scouring pad, used for cleaning dishes, and made from steel wool filled with soap. The concept was patented in 1913, at a time when aluminium pots and pans were replacing cast iron in the kitchen; the new cookware blackened easily.

Are brillo pads steel wool?

Ideal for jobs where extra cleaning power is needed, Brillo Heavy Duty Steel Wool Soap Pads are designed to remove the toughest grease and grime. We've taken our original steel wool soap pads and made them even bigger, keeping the classic Brillo shape to help reach tough messes in corners.

What should you not use a brillo pad on?

Just as Brillos can do a lot of good, they can also do a lot of damage. Don't use them on wood floors, stainless steel pots, plastic, porcelain (like toilets), or painted surfaces if you don't want to risk scratching them up. Also don't use them on your car's headlights or tire rims.

Are SOS pads considered steel wool?

S.O.S® soap-filled Steel Wool Pads, Non-Scratch Scrubbers and All Surface Sponges easily handle ALL your toughest messes.

What is a good substitute for steel wool?

Scotch-Brite pads are the best steel wool alternative. You can find them pretty much everywhere, and they're super handy.

Glass Polishing: Buffer VS Steel Wool

When not to use steel wool?

'You shouldn't use steel wool on natural stone countertops, like granite or marble,' says professional cleaner Gazzo. 'It has this invisible coating that isolates the stone from water and other chemicals. If you scratch this, you might damage this coating and liquids can leak into the stone. '

What is the best wool replacement?

As the many people who are allergic to wool already know, alternatives to wool clothing and blankets are readily available. Cotton flannel, polyester fleece, and other synthetic fibers wash easily, keep their bright colors, cost less, and don't contribute to cruelty.

Which is better, Brillo or SOS?

What happens when you compare S.O.S® Soap Pads to Brillo® Soap Pads? Lab testing shows that S.O.S® Soap Pads last longer, have more soap, and clean faster!

What grit is steel wool equivalent to?

[Sandpaper and steel wool are two different abrasives that will bring a different quality to the surface of a piece of wood or a finish. If I dare make such a comparison, 0000-steel wool is about equivalent to 400-grit sandpaper.] Sandpaper scratches more. It is a sheet of sharp points.

What is the blue stuff on SOS pads?

The soap is the blue substance seen in the pad. In 1917, Irwin Cox of San Francisco, California, an aluminum pot salesman, invented a pre-soaped pad with which to clean pots. As a way of introducing himself to potential new customers, Cox made the soap encrusted steel-wool pads as a calling card.

Should you wear gloves when using steel wool?

Make sure to always wear gloves while working with steel wool because, with enough force, the fibers can pierce your skin and cause pain.

Will a Brillo pad scratch a toilet?

Yes, in my experience it will scratch porcelain (Kohler toilet). We used it weekly for several years, and the toilets became harder to clean.

Why are Brillo pads so good?

That's why Brillo is one of the most trusted names in household cleaning. Long-lasting soap pad with anti-rust formula has 29% more soap and 8% more steel wool than any other soap pad*. Iconic square shape allows the soap pad's unique bonded edges to easily reach tough messes in corners.

What not to use brillo pads on?

7 Things You Shouldn't Clean with SOS Pads
  • Wooden Furniture and floor. ...
  • Kitchen Countertop. ...
  • Non-Stick Pans. ...
  • Costly Carpets. ...
  • Stainless Steel Appliances. ...
  • Window Glass. ...
  • Leather Couch. ...
  • Conclusion.

Can mice chew through brillo pads?

Rodents can't chew through steel wool, and its sharp edges will discourage them by poking them in the nose and hurting their teeth if they try to gnaw through it.

What is another name for a Brillo pad?

Brillo is a trade name for a scouring pad, used for cleaning dishes, and made from steel wool filled with soap.

What is a substitute for steel wool?

Scotch-Brite Light Cleansing Hand Pad 7445, 6 in x 9 in, Mild Abrasive Hand Sanding Pad, For Metal, Vinyl, Porcelain and Other Delicate Surfaces, Pack of 20. I use these pads as a 0000 steel wool substitute ... I use these pads as a 0000 steel wool substitute for a final rubbing on shellacked furniture.

Can you use 0000 steel wool on a windshield?

Technically, yes. You can clean auto glass with steel wool (or with any number of other cleaning solutions and/or materials for that matter). But that doesn't necessarily mean you should. As you likely know, steel wool is highly abrasive.

What is another name for steel wool?

Steel wool, also known as iron wool, wire wool, or wire sponge, is a bundle of very fine and flexible sharp-edged steel filaments. It was described as a new product in 1896.

What to use instead of brillo pads?

If you're in a bind and need a steel wool pad, grab a roll of foil instead. Maids By Trade says to wad a sheet of foil into a ball and use that as your scrubber, explaining foil won't last as long as a steel wool pad, but it will definitely get the job done.

Does Brillo scratch enamel?

If you need an 'in-between' cleaner (after the scraper and before the AGA Enamel Cleaner) you can, use a soap-filled (Brillo) pad. Be extremely careful and don't use much pressure as it is possible to damage the enamel with this method.

What to do if a dog eats a SOS pad?

For the next few days, until the pieces pass, he'll need to be fed a bland diet with lots of fiber added in small meals several times a day, 4 to 6 meals is ideal. We do this so the pad is surrounded, the gut isn't irritated any more and isn't contracting on just sharp steel.

What is the smoothest steel wool?

0000 grade is the finest and what is used for rubbing out finishes, applying wax and polishing. Grade 0 is great for removing wax build up and for smoothing wood before applying finish.

What is a substitute for wool?

Acrylic fibre can be used as a substitute for wool because of its wool like feel.

What is the best wool to use?

Merino wool comes from Merino sheep, mostly from the mountainous regions of Australia and New Zealand. It's the finest and softest sheep wool with a superior shine, and definitely the most luxurious! It's unsurprisingly a very popular material for luxury bedding and clothing brands.

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