Swedish Dish Cloths

[WayneT]

I picked up a pack of these to use for sanitizing wipes with my quaternary ammonia solution. Maybe Henrik can explain what makes them 'Swedish' and so popular?

[Henrik]

Ah, good question. Not sure why they're called Swedish, but they are very popular. Every household (and yes, I mean every) has these. They're really great in the kitchen. Soak them with water under the faucet for 10 seconds, wring, and then wipe down any surface. Rinse, wring, repeat. Easy! Some people boil them with washing up liquid once a week, I just toss 'em and get another one. The "original" is Wettex-trasan (the Wettex rag), it comes in various colors.

[Bkhuna]

I bought a package of Wettex's earlier this year and it has become one thing I'd never want to be without. I toss them into the washing machine when needed and they seem to last a long time. It has seriously cut down on the number of paper towels we use.

[WayneT]

That was my purpose for buying them, to cut down on paper towel waste.

[fzxdoc]

Ah, good question. Not sure why they're called Swedish, but they are very popular. Every household (and yes, I mean every) has these. They're really great in the kitchen. Soak them with water under the faucet for 10 seconds, wring, and then wipe down any surface. Rinse, wring, repeat. Easy! Some people boil them with washing up liquid once a week, I just toss 'em and get another one. The "original" is Wettex-trasan (the Wettex rag), it comes in various colors.

I'll have to look into getting these. I'm a person who hates seeing a used sponge sitting by a sink. I imagine all the bacteria. Ugh. But to use this once for cleanup and toss it in the dishwasher or wash machine on the hot/sanitize setting sounds like a good idea. We go through a lot of paper towels. It might be a good idea to have a stack of these at the ready instead.

Kathryn

[Oak Smoke]

That’s what I do, I rinse it out then into the microwave. You’ll have steam and a disinfected cloth in no time. I will not use a sponge. I tried nuking a sponge once, it must have already soured, because it smelled terrible.

[fzxdoc]

WayneT and Oak Smoke , that is a good idea. I could use one of these to wipe the counters, rinse it well with soap and water, wring it out and then microwave it immediately so there's no time for bacteria to grow. Brilliant! Thanks.

Kathryn

[WayneT]

fzxdoc I did that just today and it came out smokin' fresh, and hopefully, bacteria free.

[Jim White]

Okay, I was curious. From CNN:

“Here’s the backstory: Invented by a Swedish engineer in 1949, the dishcloths are reusable, biodegradable and ultra affordable, not to mention highly effective. As a result, they’re widely used throughout Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland, which happen to also be the world’s most eco-friendly countries. Point being: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a roll of paper towels in any Nordic homes or businesses, as they’re all relying on Swedish dishcloths instead.”

I do believe I will buy some. Thanks, Wayne.

Link: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/cnn-undersco...llulose-sponge

[Sid P]

"Made in Europe" really narrows it down - it’s Texas Pete all over again!

Seriously though, using less paper towels is also on my list, so I’ll give them a try.

[Attjack]

I guess I should get with the program. Currently I use a lot of paper towels and compost them after they have been used.

[RiverJeff]

Hope the Walmart has them going on my 2 week supply shopping spree!

[Panhead John]

Thanks Wayne and Jim, just bought a pack, they’ll be here later today. These look to be pretty good! I too, go through a ton of paper towels.

[Skip]

We've got a couple in the drawer. I guess I better start using them!

[jfmorris]

I think I will order some of these, as we go through an INSANE amount of paper towels in the kitchen. I'm as guilty as SWMBO too of using a lot for cleaning and wiping.

EDIT: Ordered a 10 pack of the original Wettex brand that Henrik mentioned, but they won't be here for a week. They were cheaper than the "Swedish Wholesale" brand ones. Everything is shipping so SLOW!

[Henrik]

Nice, but it's worth the wait, 'cause you got the good stuff!

[WayneT]

Wait! You mean I got a knock-off? Surely, we’ve learned we can trust labels.

[coupster]

We switched to them about a year ago and they are great. Absorbent, soft, flexible and washable. Just throw them in the washer with the dish cloths. They get a little grungy looking after a while, but still work fine. There's almost a full unused pack in the drawer. They don't replace paper towels but come d*mn close.

[WayneT]

coupster Where in BR Mountains are you located?

[smokin fool]

So are these just a souped up J Cloth or is there no comparison between the two.

[WayneT]

According to the specs, they are made of 70% wood pulp and 30% cotton. I guess the high wood pulp content explains why they swell slightly when wet and get thinner again when dry. I thought at first they were very thin sponges.

[CaptainMike]

I've heard of Swedish meatballs, Swedish saunas, and the Swedish Bikini Team, and now you tell me there's Swedish napkins!? Man, those Swedes think of everything!

[jfmorris]

Only one thing is better...

https://youtu.be/-c2NEFPqTwY

[CaptainMike]

Hahahaha, classic, Jim jfmorris!

[Alan Brice]

I am in. Arriving Sunday.

[SmokeyGator]

This is my Swedish dish towel.