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!
Autumn says
April 11, 2017 at 7:23 amThank you❤I ordered two weeks ago or less from your link. I totally love these dishcloths. Enough so I want to get a few more. Now I let others know about them.
Elsie says
April 11, 2017 at 9:11 amThat’s awesome! Yes, someday I want to have a whole little stack of them in a kitchen drawer!
Linda Resca says
August 9, 2017 at 5:02 pmCan I order the Swedish dishcloths w/out signing up/paying for the monthly subscription?
Linda
Elsie says
August 15, 2017 at 1:05 pmHi Linda, yes you can, but not for the discount price. You can order them here: https://mightynest.com/shop/green-cleaning/kitchen-bath/swedish-dishcloths
Steven says
April 16, 2017 at 10:25 amThese are nothing more then sponge cloths with printing on them. Nothing more, nothing less. The cloths look to be made in Germany.
Autumn says
April 16, 2017 at 12:11 pmThey are economy friendly,mashine washable and last 10 times longer than a regular sponge.
Elsie says
April 22, 2017 at 2:14 pmYes, as Autumn says, they work harder than a regular sponge!
Joyce says
May 7, 2017 at 11:27 amCan I get the furloughs without joining a monthly thing
Alicia says
May 8, 2017 at 10:28 pmI was wondering the same thing!
Elsie says
May 9, 2017 at 6:56 pmYes, Alicia! You can, although not for the discounted price! Here is the product listing.
Elsie says
May 9, 2017 at 6:56 pmYou can, although not for the discounted price! Here is the product listing.
Lajuana says
May 9, 2017 at 7:11 amCan I purchase without a subscription?
Autumn says
May 9, 2017 at 9:34 amI may be wrong but I think you can.
Elsie says
May 9, 2017 at 6:59 pmLajuana, yes you can, although not for the discounted price! Here is the product listing.
SIMONE says
May 10, 2017 at 10:53 amI AM STILL WAITING FOR MY SWEDISH DISH CLOTHS….IT HAS BEEN WEEKS AND I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO RECEIVING THEM! COULD YOU PLEASE CHECK ON MY ORDER?
Elsie says
May 11, 2017 at 2:02 pmHi Simone! I saw your email that they’d arrived! Enjoy!
Teresa says
May 25, 2017 at 7:43 pmI have dish cloths that I have used for years. I don’t use paper towels. A regular cotton dish cloths are more economical.
Elsie says
May 29, 2017 at 8:26 pmThat is great! Many people think of paper towels as a necessity, but they ARE a habit you can break!
Sheena says
June 12, 2017 at 4:00 pmYes and now I purchase the economy packs of white terry face cloths remove tags and discard when is stained or all used up then they become. Leaning rags most price effective put in small bowl with sop n cap of bleach n white again
Kathleen says
May 28, 2017 at 10:45 amI find this post to be extremely disingenuous… It reads like a personal blog post, but it’s paid for by the company “you are recommending.” Are you being paid to recommend this too, or are you a Mighty Nest employee?? Shady.
Elsie says
May 29, 2017 at 8:22 pmYes, this is my personal blog! I’m not a MightyNest employee, I just enjoy and support the company! I occasionally write posts on my blog that are sponsored by particular companies that I know are in line with my readers’ interests and values (and my own). As a reader, I’ve learned about some of my very favourite natural and small business companies via blogs, and I’m so grateful for that and for the chance to now pass on these resources to others. I use the Swedish dishcloths in my own kitchen, and that’s how I’m able to say so many good things about them!
Lisette says
May 31, 2017 at 10:47 amWhat’s the absorbent part made of? Is it anti microbial?
Elsie says
June 9, 2017 at 3:02 pmLisette, it’s made of wood cellulose…and I’m finding out if it’s antimicrobial or not! I will let you know as soon as I find out!
Jessica Lamar says
July 22, 2017 at 7:46 pmI use Norwex. They are embedded with silver which absorbs and kills bacteria. They are amazing and last a lot longer than a year! Check it out https://jessicalamar.norwex.biz
Marsha says
June 3, 2017 at 11:04 amDo they get stinky like regular dishcloths and sponges?
Elsie says
June 9, 2017 at 3:04 pmNot very quickly, and that’s one of the reasons I like them. If it does start to get smelly, or to prevent it from getting smelly, I pop it in the dishwasher every now and then and that cleans it right up. You can also boil it, put it in the washing machine, or wet it with water and then microwave it. Those are all ways to sanitize it and keep it fresh.
Miller says
June 16, 2017 at 1:01 pmCan you send to Mexico?
Elsie says
July 7, 2017 at 1:54 pmI’m sorry, Miller, but MightyFix does not ship to Mexico!
Patty connery says
July 9, 2017 at 5:11 pmI have a couple of these and simply love them. I am wondering what some of the monthly items are before I sign up.
Elsie says
July 14, 2017 at 9:35 amPatty, they are things like reusable/non plastic food storage, wool dryer balls, glass spray bottle w/ natural all-purpose cleaner, Beeswrap (an alternative to plastic wrap), glass/silicone water bottle, non-toxic candles.
Jennifer says
July 13, 2017 at 7:46 amYou mentioned that you can compost them when they start to break down to much to use. Does that mean you could use as a weed liner in the garden?
Elsie says
July 14, 2017 at 9:29 amI know you can put them in the compost pile. I am not positive how they would work as weed liners–I think it might work, but I am not sure!
Myrna says
December 10, 2017 at 8:15 pmAbsolutely! That’s where all my used ones go!!
Barbara says
July 22, 2017 at 4:24 amCan you opt out at any time? If I decide I’m not happy with the products.
Barbara
Joan says
July 23, 2017 at 2:22 pmI am also wondering this. Also, do you get to preview the products before they ship and skip that month if it’s something you can’t use? I don’t need any more glass water bottles, for instance.
Elsie says
August 5, 2017 at 2:50 pmJoan, yes, you can opt out any time! You don’t get to preview the items first, though. What I recommend is to keep any items you don’t want to give as gifts. Some of them make really nice hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, wedding shower presents, housewarming gifts, etc!
Elsie says
August 5, 2017 at 2:43 pmYes, you can opt out at any time.
Frances says
August 6, 2017 at 10:28 amI knit my own dishcloths with 100% cotton I get three out of one ball of yarn ($1,50) so 50 cents a piece Throw them in the washer and dryer, use them all over the house
Elsie says
August 15, 2017 at 1:03 pmThat’s awesome! I wish I had some of those!
Alice Siah says
September 12, 2017 at 1:13 amHi, is the 2 for 1 deal still going on? I went to the website but the swedish cloth is still priced as 5.99 with subscription?
Elsie says
September 15, 2017 at 2:28 pmHi Alice, yes, the deal is still available! If you click through the links in this post (here it is: https://mightynest.com/the-mighty-fix?apply_promo_code=ROOTEDDISHCLOTHS) the discount will be automatically applied and should show up in your cart when you go to checkout. Let me know if that is not the case!
Juliana Langley says
September 25, 2017 at 5:01 pmIs this the same as Mighty Nest? I’ve heard of that. What’s the difference?
Elsie says
September 28, 2017 at 1:45 pmYes, it is. MightyNest started a subscription service called the MightyFix, where you get an item in the mail each month and free shipping. It is all the same company and small business, though!
Valerie says
October 12, 2017 at 2:58 pmCan we order this subscription discount through regular mail? I don’t like buying anything on line.
Elsie says
October 14, 2017 at 1:33 pmHmm, I am not sure about that! I would email their customer service to check! Their email address is [email protected]. You can also call them during business hours at 847-905-0567.
Scott says
December 26, 2017 at 5:50 pmThese are like using a hand full of wet toilet paper, and not very absorbent! No thanks I will keep using my cotton dish cloths, and wash them as needed. 10-20 seconds in the microwave will kill anything on them between washes.
Elsie says
December 29, 2017 at 9:23 amHuh…I’ve never tried using a handful of wet toilet paper, so I guess I’ll have to take your word on that comparison! I do find these dishcloths to be very absorbent for wiping up spills!
Jen Blamy says
January 16, 2018 at 6:53 pmIf you like Swedish dish cloths, you’d love Norwex cloths even more. http://jenbl.norwex.biz. They’ll save you even more time and money and they are self purifying, so you don’t have to launder as often.
Elsie says
January 22, 2018 at 7:14 pmI have a couple of Norwex products and have been pretty pleased with them!
Sally says
January 20, 2018 at 1:23 pmI buy the sponge-cloths in the grocery store that are much less expensive and seem to be the same thing (other than the decoration.) I DO wash mine in the laundry over and over and they seem to hold up well. What’s the difference?
Elsie says
January 22, 2018 at 7:25 pmI’m not sure of the differences between specific brands. I know the cheap sponges I used to get did not hold up as well as these, nor did they dry as quickly. It sounds like you have found something that works well for you, though! No need to switch if you like what you’ve got!
Lee Ann Howlett says
March 7, 2018 at 5:42 pmI started using these when a local boutique began carrying them. Love them! They last and I love their designs.
Elsie says
March 9, 2018 at 4:28 pmI think they are gaining a fan base, as I’ve heard of other stores begin to carry them! They are great!
AJones says
March 10, 2018 at 8:03 amI assume, like most kitchen sponges, they do not have an abrasive surface to clean pots with, so one would still need a conventional sponge.
Elsie says
March 26, 2018 at 9:52 amRight, they have some texture, but not an abrasive side. For scrubbing pots and pans, I use a nylon pan scraper from Pampered Chef, so I can still avoid those conventional sponges(:
Darren Carrington says
April 15, 2018 at 12:58 amI buy the sponge-cloths in the grocery store that are much less expensive and seem to be the same thing. I’m not sure of the differences between specific brands. What’s the difference? If you had more insight i will greatly appreciate it.
Elsie says
April 17, 2018 at 1:50 pmI have some Full Circle brand sponge-cloths from the store that might be similar to what you get. To me, the main difference is that the Full Circle ones tend to “flake” and break down sooner than my Swedish dishcloths. The texture is also different, so they don’t offer as clean of a wipe. And the last thing is that the Full Circles take a little longer to dry. But, as far as specifics with how the Swedish ones are made or the difference in material type, I would email MightyNest to ask…because I’m not sure! I just know that side by side, the Swedish dishcloths perform better.
Carrie says
May 21, 2018 at 7:59 pmWas anyone able to find out if the dish cloths are antibacterial?
Elsie says
May 30, 2018 at 1:59 pmI don’t think that they are.
Carolyn Moser says
May 26, 2019 at 7:27 pmI love the Swedish dishcloths and have been using them for over a year. I noticed the pure white part of the design turns grungy gray after a few months. I clean them both ways suggested, top of my dishwasher and in clothes washer but they never are white after. Can I bleach them?
The Crown Choice says
June 10, 2019 at 12:45 amHi Elsie. Not sure if you heard about this but there are nylon mesh cloths that work almost exactly the same as Swedish dish cloths. This one is a lot cheaper than the Swedish stuff but it also smell-free, last longer than a regular sponge & is very easy to clean and dry.