Ha! I finally get to contribute.
I have no idea how much these cost as my sis-in-law makes these. But, I'm sure they are under the $20 limit by at least $19.50. The secret is the type of thread. I assume it's some type of polyester but it makes a great scrub pad.
This scrub pad has become the center of my wife's dishwashing system. First, she goes for a walk. While she's gone, I use a paper towel to scrape any loose stuff off the dishes. Then, I simply put a dot of Dawn Liquid Soap on the pad as shown and scrub each dish. I scrub then sort/stack the soapy dishes in the sink by size; largest on the bottom silverware on top. As I'm washing, I frequently rinse the scrub pad and re-apply a dot of Dawn.
Rinsing is done in groups over the other dishes and scrubbing with a clean pad. In other words, I rinse the silverware in one bundle of running water, the saucers, plates then any cookware last.
This saves lots of water and of course uses very little soap.
The pad is loosely woven and the "thread" doesn't hold water or food debris like a sponge. It washes clean with very little water. This was one of the first she did - she since added a loop at my request. I think they are crocheted? I'll try to get the name of the hairy thread material.
My wife really enjoys this because when she gets back from her walk, the dishes are clean, dried and put away.
Dave