United States
Swedish Dishcloth - Sunflowers
Swedish Dishcloth - Sunflowers
Have you tried Swedish dishcloths?! They're terrific for all kinds of chores, and are 100% biodegradable and compostable. Each cloth can replace 17 rolls of paper towels, can absorb 20 times its weight, and is more hygienic than a sponge because it dries so quickly that bacteria has little time to grow.
Swedish dishcloths start as stiff 8" x 6 1/2" cloths, but when wet become strong, pliable cloths that will last 6-9 months. Use them to wipe up and clean, but unlike paper towels you can scrub with them, with soap/cleaner or not, you can wash dishes with them, use them to polish, and use them for just about any cleaning job.
After use just rinse and squeeze (try not to wring to preserve shape), then leave to air dry - which is super fast! And you can wash them in the washing machine or the top rack of the dishwasher - then air dry. Put damp dishcloths in the microwave or boiling water for a minute to sterilize. When they finally need to be replaced, they can be composted!
Made from cellulose and cotton, Swedish dishcloths are better than single use paper towels - it's estimated that the US uses 13 billion pounds of paper towels a year. Yikes! Better than microfiber cloths, which are actually made from plastics and not environmentally friendly. Better than sponges which are often made with plastic and can harbor bacteria. Better than cotton cloths for many chores because they are more absorbent and dry faster.
Originally invented by a Swedish engineer named Curt Lindquist in 1949, they have been used by Scandinavians for many years.
These Swedish dishcloths are made by Three Bluebirds, an excellent company that makes a truly superior dishcloth through their values and philosophy. They get the genuine patented material from a certified fair trade factory in Germany. The material combines Forest Stewardship Council certified wood pulp with GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton. Three Bluebirds is a Connecticut family business that designs their joyful prints, then has them screen printed with safe water-based inks by a husband and wife team locally in Connecticut.