How to Get Sponges in Minecraft (2023)

Minecraft has all kinds of peculiar blocks that serve various purposes. Some, like the crafting bench and furnace, perform particular actions that help you during your game. Other blocks are decorative or have minor roles that apply to specific, niche situations. The sponge is a great example where, although not helpful on land, it is great for removing large amounts of water without using an empty bucket. If you’re interested in learning more, continue reading to discover how to get sponges in Minecraft.

Where to Find Sponges in Minecraft

There are two main methods to getting sponges in Minecraft, excluding using creative mode or cheat commands. While creative mode and commands are the easiest ways, there are other options for getting some in survival mode. The two methods are similar in that they require visiting a specific structure.

What is this structure, exactly? An ocean monument!

To begin looking for sponges, you’ll have to make your way to an ocean monument, a large underwater structure surrounded by hostile guardian monsters. You’ll find various, primarily empty rooms as you defeat these mobs and venture through the area. However, there are a couple of special places worth visiting. In particular, you’ll want to search the monument until you find the sponge room, a small alcove housing plenty of these blocks for you to gather.

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Along the way, you’ll see a bunch of guardian monsters attacking you. While most aren’t particularly helpful here, Elder Guardians have a high chance of dropping one wet sponge upon defeat. If you encounter any of these, you can fight them for a chance to get some extra sponge. Although less effective than finding a sponge room, it’s still a second method to gather these blocks.

How to Get Dry Sponge in Minecraft

As you gather the sponge, you’ll notice that it’s wet and won’t get rid of any water. Before you can start using it for its intended purpose, you’ll have to use the wet sponge inside a furnace, cooking it until it dries out. Alternatively, you can place them in the Nether to dry them out instantly!

Minecraft is available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and mobile devices through the official website. For more information about the game, check out How to Repair a Trident and How to Download and Use Optifine for Minecraft 1.19.3.