3 Quick Tips to Get The Most Life Out of Your Swedish Dishcloth

If you’ve hopped on the Swedish dishcloth train, you probably know how much of a game-changer they are by now! Seriously, who doesn’t love a dishcloth that stays fresh smelling and doesn’t crumble or pill? Not to mention that they absorb 20x their weight, saving you on paper towel expenses.

These nifty little dishcloths can last you around 6 months long, sometimes even longer! But it’s important that you’re taking good care of them along the way - which is why I wanted to give you my three best tips for getting the most life out of your Swedish dishcloths! 

Only wash when necessary (which isn’t often!) 

Unlike your traditional dishrags, Swedish dishcloths are much less likely to harbor bacteria. Moist environments typically allow for bacteria to grow, and that’s the smell you notice from your traditional dishrags. But since Swedish dishcloths dry incredibly fast, it makes it nearly impossible for bacteria and germs to grow on their surface! 

Since these dishcloths are prone to staying clean for a much longer period of time, you won’t have to worry about cleaning them nearly as often as your other dishrags. And to prolong their life, you shouldn’t! Just like anything, the more you wash them, the quicker they will break down. So, only wash when needed! Next up are a few nifty ways to wash them that will extend their life.

Be mindful of how you wash them.

Swedish dishcloths are so versatile when it comes to cleaning them. But take note of these simple tips to make sure that you’re not washing them in a way that causes them to break down faster.

Rinse out - The easiest way to keep these unique dishcloths fresh throughout the week is to just be sure to rinse them out after each use and let them dry in your kitchen. This keeps them free of buildup and will extend their life between washes!

Dishwasher - A very gentle way to clean your Swedish dishcloths is to throw them on the top rack of the dishwasher! 

Washing machine - Toss your Swedish dishcloth in the washing machine when it needs a little freshening up. My best tip here is to avoid fabric softener, as the chemicals will make them become less absorbent. Also, avoid putting them in the dryer because the heat will cause the material to deteriorate prematurely. 

Boil or microwave - To sanitize, you can boil your Swedish dishcloth for a couple of minutes. Or, for an even quicker option, put it flat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, just make sure it’s fully damp beforehand! These are both great options to minimize wear and tear when cleaning. 

Use them for almost anything but this...

Swedish dishcloths can be used for SO many things; they’re super absorbent and can pick up nearly any type of spill or splatter. They can also clean many different surfaces, even glass (streak-free!). But to make sure you get the most life out of them, avoid using them to scrub off stuck-on bits of food on pans or plates. Doing this can cause your Swedish dishcloth to tear or shred. Instead, use a kitchen brush for those hard to scrub instances!

Overall, Swedish dishcloths are so user-friendly and long-lasting, but when you give them a little extra love, they’ll be sure to last you even longer. Don’t forget that when it’s time to refresh your stock with new ones, Swedish dishcloths are natural and biodegradable. So instead of throwing them in the trash bin, put them in the compost! If you’re ready for some bright new designs to add a pop of color to your kitchen, or you still haven’t tried them out yet, you WON’T regret it!