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I set quite a few goals for 2018 and one of them is to use less paper towels. We are pretty excessive about paper towel consumption in our house. They are usually the first thing I reach for when there is a spill, to wipe down the counters, or to wipe messy faces. Paper towels are convenient, but definitely not environmentally friendly. I have a couple friends who don't use ANY paper towels, I have always been so impressed by this. Although I am not quite ready to ditch paper towels for good, I am determined to use about half the amount we have used in past years.
I recently discovered my favorite alternative. They are Swedish dishclothes. These little bad boys are amazing. You can use them for just about anything and then throw them in the washing machine or dishwasher to reuse! And the best part is that once you are finished with them completely (about 50 washes) they are 100% biodegradable.
They are made from all natural materials (wood cellulose and cotton) and are made in Sweden with water based inks. The patterns are adorable and they make great gifts as there is literally a pattern for everyone. According to marketing, they absorb 15 times their own weight in water.
Here are my top 5 reasons to try Swedish Dishcloths:
1. They are multipurpose. You can use these to wash dishes, wipe your counters, clean up spills, They do the work of a sponge without the bacteria, and paper towel without the waste.
2. They are pretty. Okay, I know that is a ridiculous reason, but they really are. They come in the cutest designs and can brighten up your kitchen and make you smile!
3. They are environmentally friendly. Like I mentioned, they are washable and 100% biodegradable. I toss them in the washing machine and then lay flat to dry. I did make the mistake of putting in the dryer and my dishcloth survived. It looked like it shrunk, but once it got wet it was back to normal.
4. They last a long time! Swedish dishcloths are designed to be washed at least 50 times so these are well worth the investment.
5. They are affordable. Speaking of investment, they are worth every penny. The dishcloths cost about $6 each. I have found them at local stores as well as Amazon. I have linked my favorite Amazon set below.
