Biodegradability of Swedish Dishcloths
- Washing microfiber dishcloths can introduce microplastics into the waterways
- Microfiber aka microplastics are seen as contaminants in recycling streams
- They generally require more frequent cleaning (i.e. more detergents are used)

Biodegradable products can be broken down into its components by microorganisms in the soil. For instance, paper and textile are biodegradable, whereas conventional plastics are not.
They're also much more resistant to bacteria growth. The reason is simple—they dry quickly. Unlike regular dishcloths, which remain wet after being used, these dishcloths tend to dry within the hour. Ultimately, less moisture means fewer germs and bacteria. You also won't have to worry about other icky things like mold or mildew—both of which are common problems with traditional cloths! Wouldn't you want to minimize the spread of bacteria around the house?Advantages of Biodegradable Swedish Dishcloths
Biodegradable dishcloths come with a number of advantages—some of which you might not have known about! Let's go over some of them below. Compostability Swedish dishcloths don't go in the trash—they go into the compost. Once they're at the end of their lifespan, you can put them in the compost like your vegetable peelings and grass cuttings. Given time, microorganisms in the soil will break down the cellulose and cotton into their simplest components. This will lead to the production of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. These compounds will then enrich the soil with nutrients, which are used by plants for healthy growth.
Swedish dishcloths also produce less pollution. Ultimately, this goes back to the fact that they're biodegradable. This makes sense—since they break down into nontoxic components, they will not release any chemicals or gasses into the atmosphere.
The way that they’re made, unnecessary CO2 emissions are also minimized during production. Not only that, but they are produced with renewable sources of energy, which helps to reduce the product's carbon footprint.
No Allergens or ToxinsBiodegradable products generally have one thing in common—they do not contain any allergens or toxins. Made from natural elements (in our case, cellulose and cotton), they will not release any poisonous wastes when breaking down in the compost. Everything will be fully absorbed and used by the soil.
Helps to Conserve EnergySwedish dishcloths require far less energy to “recycle” than traditional dishcloths. Made from natural ingredients, they easily break down into the earth. Generally speaking, they also require less energy to make in the production stage. In fact, it's not uncommon for them to be made with half the amount of energy!
Reduces Landfill WasteMillions of tonnes of plastic are dumped into the landfill every year. As mentioned earlier, these products take hundreds of years to degrade. Even when they do, they leave behind toxic residues, which is harmful to both our health and the environment.

Investing in a Compost Bin
Switching from traditional dishcloths to Swedish dishcloths? If so, you might want to invest in a good compost bin. After all, you'll be needing a place to put them once they wear out (which isn't that often)!
Compost bins are used to store and make compost before they are used out in the garden. While it depends on the type, most are designed so that they quicken the decomposition of organic matter; this is done by providing proper aeration and moisture. This allows aerobic organisms to break down the ingredients into its component parts.
Choosing a Good Compost BinThere are many different types of compost bins out there. For instance, you can get a large composter for your yard, or a small bin for your kitchen. It all depends on what you’ll be composting and how much.
Looking for something just for your Swedish dishcloths? If so, a small one might suffice. If, however, you plan on composting other things such as vegetable peels or fruit waste, you might want to go for something a little bigger.
