The best replacement for sponge is dishcloth.

The best alternatives to sponge are rated as following:
★★★★★  dishcloth
★★★  brush
★★★  diaphragm
★★★  chiffon cake
★★  brush for foundation
★★  coral
★★  washcloth
★  foam
★  stone
★  synthetic sponge
★  mj
★  pound cake
★  cloth
★  beauty blender
★  loofah
★  sand drywall
  rag
  condom
  dish rag
  sanding drywall
  clear channel
  angel food cake
  beg
  towel
  dishrag
  foundation brush
  vcf

Your alternative for sponge is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about sponge, one probably shouldn't forget about scrubber.

Other search terms related to sponge and their ratings are:
★★★★★ scrubber
★★ scouring pad
You have in mind a companion for sponge and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of sponge in all years. Click on graph for more.
sponge
dishcloth
brush