Ditch the Sponge: 5 Reasons to Try Swedish Dishcloths in Your Kitchen

Swedish dishcloths replace kitchen sponges and paper towels. They’re simple, smart, and pretty! This post is sponsored by MightyNest. As always, I’m happy to recommend them, and grateful that they carry such a wide selection of healthy products for my home!

Do you have any pet peeves that you’ve carried with you from childhood? For my part, I’m afraid I’ve never liked the ubiquitous kitchen sponge.

Kitchen sponges get too nasty too quickly. Yes, you can pop them in the dishwasher, but you need to do this pretty often to offset the smell. And the more you wash them, the faster they break down. Pretty soon you toss them in the trash, grateful for an excuse to break out a brand-new sponge…and start the vicious cycle all over again.

Why am I telling you all this depressing stuff? Because kitchen sponges don’t have to gross you out anymore. Swedish dishcloths are the simple, smart alternative to conventional kitchen sponges. Made of a blend of cotton and cellulose, Swedish dishcloths are a multi-tasking kitchen tool that will not only replace your kitchen sponges but much of your paper towel usage, too! As I mentioned in this post, I began using them several months ago and now I doubt my kitchen will ever be without them. My Swedish dishcloths are from MightyNest, an online general store that sources natural products for your home and family.

Swedish dishcloths were invented in Sweden in 1949, and have a growing and loyal following in the United States. I know they’re called dishcloths, but don’t picture a tea towel. While you can definitely use them to dry your hands, they’re much more like large sponges or small paper towels. (They measure 6″ by 8″ and are about the size of a book.)

Here are 5 reasons to love Swedish dishcloths:

1. They’re versatile

You can use these to wash dishes, wipe down counter tops, clean your appliances, and pick up spills and messes. They can do anything a sponge can do and most of the things a paper towel can do. (I wouldn’t use them to sop up bacon grease or cover a dish in the microwave, for instance.)

2. They’re pretty

Most kitchen sponges are just plain yellow or blue, and even prettily-patterned paper towels end up in the trash. The Swedish dishcloths from MightyNest are printed with clean, Scandinavian-style designs made with water-based inks. No, of course it’s not a must to have pretty sponges in your kitchen…but they do add a bit of personality and liveliness to a place where you spend so much of your time!

3. They work

These hard-working dishcloths can absorb 15 times their own weight! They clean up food and drink spills like a charm, and won’t leave streaks on your appliances or glass cook top. If you have young children, keep a Swedish dishcloth handy at mealtimes to quickly absorb any spilled drinks. They work much better than a thin paper towel or a pile of napkins!

4. They last

With proper care, you can use the same Swedish dishcloth for 9-12 months! Washing your dishcloth is easy. Usually you can just rinse it out and let it air dry, but when it starts to get soiled simply put it in the top rack of your dishwasher, or even toss it in the laundry! Once washed, wring it out and let it air dry (I usually just lay mine over the dish drainer). For further sanitation you can also boil it, or wet it and then microwave it for 30 seconds.

Eventually the fibers in the Swedish dishcloths will break down, but it will be many, many washes before that happens. And when your dishcloth is no longer useful in the kitchen, you can compost it.

5. They’re cheap

Would you like to try two Swedish dishcloths for just $1.00? Swedish dishcloths are normally $5.99 each (plus shipping) from MightyNest, but if you join their MightyFix program you can get an even better deal–two for $1.00!

More about the MightyFix

I’ve mentioned the MightyFix before, and many of my readers have told me how much they enjoy getting a surprise in the mail each month! The MightyFix is a subscription service like StitchFix, but instead of clothes it features healthy, green products for your home. (Oh, and it’s a lot cheaper!)

The goal with the monthly MightyFix subscription is to let you incorporate natural products into your life in a frugal, non-overwhelming way. Each month is a surprise, but typical items include things like a glass water bottle, reusable stainless steel straws, natural sunscreen, wool dryer balls, etc. You’ll always get something that’s useful in any household; not just for families with children.

You pay just $10 per month, (after your initial $1.00), but the value of the item(s) you receive will always be at least $10, if not more! Shipping is always free*, and you can add any other MightyNest products to your order and get free shipping on those, too!

Another thing I appreciate about MightyNest is that they give back by donating up to 15% of every purchase you make to your local school! This includes your monthly MightyFix shipment, as well as other products you add to your order. If you do not have children in school you can choose to donate to your grandchild’s school or to a niece’s or nephew’s.

To start getting the MightyFix, you can subscribe via this link. Your first month will only cost $1.00, and will include the Swedish dishcloths! Clicking through this link will apply the discount to your cart, but you can also enter the code ROOTEDDISHCLOTHS at checkout.

If you’ve ever wished you had a better alternative to kitchen sponges, give Swedish dishcloths a try!

*(If you don’t live in the contiguous United States, see shipping details here.)

This post is sponsored by MightyNest. As always, I’m happy to recommend them, and grateful that they carry such a wide selection of healthy products for my home!