These reusable Swedish dishcloths helped me significantly cut down on my paper towel waste, plus they're compostable

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You know that feeling when you learn a new word and suddenly notice it everywhere? That frequency illusion (or Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, if you're fancy) happened with me and Swedish dischloths.

I'd seen and ignored them in my local co-op grocery store. Then I noticed them on the Package Free Shop site. Then I read an article about them on Serious Eats and couldn't resist giving them a try.

The cloths are like absorbent, reusable paper towels. When dry, they feel like flexible cardboard or a very thin gym mat. Stick them under the tap, and they take on water like a sponge. But they also dry quickly, making them a little less of a bacteria trap than your average sponge or dishrag.

Here's what it's like to use (and reuse) a Swedish dishcloth.

What are Swedish dishcloths?

A mix of cotton and wood cellulose, Swedish dishcloths turn from a styrofoam-like board into a regular rag when wet. There are raised diamonds on the back, similar to a piece of paper towel.

They're often made in Europe, where they've been popular since the 1950s. You can find them in bright colors or fun patterns, including seasonal themes, animals, and all manner of foods.

Wettex is the original, but Skoy, Danica, and other brands make Swedish dishcloths as well.

How do you use a Swedish dishcloth?

The first step is wet it and rinse it out. Once it's damp, use it like you would a sponge or damp paper towel. If you want it to absorb a spill, you can use it dry, but it will still pick up liquid when it's wet.

What are Swedish dishcloths good for?

The dishcloths are meant to be used in almost every way you use a paper towel: wiping down surfaces, cleaning up spills, and washing dishes. They're safe to use on granite, glass, tile, and stainless steel.

While I won't say they leave an entirely streak-free shine on mirrors, they at least don't leave behind a dusting of fibers like paper towels.

The patterns also make it easier to remember what cloth you use for what job. You could go by color — pink for sink, for example — but the pictures are added bonus.

What aren't Swedish dishcloths good for?

You'll probably still want to keep paper towels on hand for certain jobs, like anything to do with your cat'slitter box, for example. Because of their consistency when dry, they aren't the best for drying dishes, either.

How do I clean a Swedish dishcloth?

You can put it in your dishwasher or washer or wet it and put it in the microwave for one to two minutes, letting it cool a bit before handling. You'll want to squeeze out excess water so it dries more quickly.

Wettex recommends cleaning them at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the washing machine.

How long do Swedish dishcloths last?

Wettex and Skoy say their cloths are equivalent to 15 rolls of paper towel, and Danica says its last over nine months (and about 200 washer cycles).

Once the cloth starts to deteriorate, you can compost it.

Do Swedish dishcloths really dry quickly?

To test how fast Swedish dishcloths dry compared to a sponge or regular dishrag, I wet all three and weighed them every half hour for eight hours, then every 45 minutes to an hour until the dishcloth was dry.

By hour eight, the Danica Swedish Dishcloth was about two-thirds dry. It took about 13 hours to dry completely, but the dishrag and sponge were still damp.

	Weight when dry (kg)	Starting weight wet (kg)	Hour 2	Hour 4	Hour 6	Hour 8	Hour 10	Hour 13
Dishcloth	31	97	90	81	71	61	52	43
Sponge	19	36	34	33	32	30	28	27
Swedish	9	33	29	24	19	18	13	9

Cons to consider

While the dry version stacks nicely, they are about bigger than a sponge, about 7.5 by 6.5 inches. You'll need a place to let them lay flat while they dry.

The bottom line

If you've been looking for a way to cut down on paper towel use, a Swedish dischcloth can help. They dry faster than a typical dishrag, and they get into crevices and nooks better than a sponge. They're machine washable and compostable, and they could last years with proper care.

They're also quite nice-looking and add just a smidgen of fun to your cleaning routine.

Now Designs Cats Meow Swedish Dishcloth (Set of 2)$11.50 from AmazonEcology by Danica Woods Swedish Dishcloth (Set of 3)$16.98 from AmazonWettexSwedish Sponge Dishcloth (Set of 10)$9.98 from EtsySkoy Swedish Dishcloth (Set of 8)$13.99 from Amazon $9.99 from The Container StoreJenny McGrathHome EditorJenny McGrath is the Home Editor for Insider Reviews, overseeing coverage of robot vacuums, mattresses, cleaning products, and more. Jenny has over six years of experience covering smart-home technology and home appliances.She's tested and reviewed almost any home product you can describe as smart, from thermostats to light bulbs to ovens to locks. Her home is filled with smart speakers, connected light switches, and smart appliances.Prior to joining Business Insider, Jenny was a senior writer and home editor for Digital Trends. She launched the site's home section as its first home editor in 2014, before Amazon released the first Echo and the same year Google bought Nest. At trade shows including CES, KBIS, and IFA, she's watched smart-home and home appliance trends evolve.She lives in Seattle and always has podcast recommendations. See below for some of her work: The best Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and other sparkling wines for any budget 17 best planners for staying organized in 2021, including tips and tricks from experts Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test kitchen products.Read moreRead less