First of all, yes this is the best sponge!
Now, everyone else has been giving their own opinions about which side to use. Let me set everyone straight. I called up Paddle Palace and got to speak to a customer service person who was on the U.S. National team and she uses this sponge. She told me, IT DOES NOT MATTER! IT'S ALL PREFERENCE! If you think it makes sense to spread the cleaner with the hard side and wipe it with the softer side, well then go ahead. If you think vice versa, also great. (By the way she spreads with the harder and wipes with the softer).
Hope this helped you.