Other Uses for Swedish Dishcloths
Swedish dishcloths are different from traditional dishcloths in that they are made from cotton and cellulose. Not only are they all natural, but they are biodegradable. Once they've worn out, they can be put in the compost, where they will be recycled as soil fertilizer. As you can imagine, this makes them much more eco-friendly.
Cleaning-wise, they're also much more absorbent than regular dishcloths. Did you know that they're capable of absorbing up to 20 times their weight in water? This makes them perfect for wiping surfaces as they hold onto a significant amount of soap and water. Of course, they can also be used for soaking up spills.
Using Swedish Dishcloths in the Kitchen
Swedish dishcloths were originally invented for use in the kitchen (they have the word "dishcloth" in them, after all). An alternative to sponges, they are great for cleaning worktops, stoves, and dishes. If you really wanted to, you could even use them to clean other areas such as the microwave, fridge, and cabinets. Just because they're called dishcloths doesn't mean that you can't use them for other purposes!
Other Uses in the House
Does it surprise you that they can also be used outside of the kitchen? That's right—they are suitable for furniture, walls, bathrooms, and more. Once the sponge cloths are dampened with water, they turn incredibly soft. Gentle and non-abrasive, they can safely be used on a variety of surfaces.
As a matter of fact, you can even use them on glass! Non-streaking, Swedish dishcloths are a great option for cleaning windows and mirrors. Just add a bit of cleaning spray and they'll be looking as good as new. In the garage, you can also use them to clean your car (both the inside and outside!) Heck, you could even use them to clean your glasses if you really wanted (you might have to dry them with something else, though).
Note: Generally speaking, these cloths are gentle enough for the face. However, everybody's skin reacts differently. Some of us might be more sensitive to certain materials than others. For this reason, it might be a good idea to test the cloth with a small patch of skin first, before using it for the entire face—this is especially true for those with sensitive skin or cases of dermatitis.
Every once in a while, you'll want to sanitize the sponge cloth in the wash. There's no point using it if the cloth itself is filled with bacteria, after all!
Incredibly soft, the cloth will not cause any distress to your pet—some of them might even enjoy the "grooming" session. As with all cloths and towels, however, you do not want to let your pet chew on the dish cloth; you can prevent this by placing it in a secure area.
Pro-tip: Heading off to the dog park? Bring a Swedish dishcloth with you. That way, you'll be able to wipe their paws off before they jump into the car! Who wants mud and dirt on the car seats, right?
Other advantages:
As a matter of fact, you can even use them on glass! Non-streaking, Swedish dishcloths are a great option for cleaning windows and mirrors. Just add a bit of cleaning spray and they'll be looking as good as new. In the garage, you can also use them to clean your car (both the inside and outside!) Heck, you could even use them to clean your glasses if you really wanted (you might have to dry them with something else, though).
Non-Traditional Uses for Swedish Cellulose Dishcloths
But wait—their versatility doesn't stop around the house. The truth is, they can be used for a variety of other purposes, many of which you might not have even considered was possible! Let's take look at some of their non-traditional uses below that some of our wholesale customers have recommended or used cellulose sponge cloths for!Cleaning Dust Particles
Do you have a workshop in your garage? Perhaps you do woodworking? If so, you're probably familiar with all of the dust that goes on the floor. As you know, these particles can be harmful to our health; they can easily get lodged in our nose and airways. In fact, they can lead to various conditions such as asthma, pneumonia—even cancer! Considering this, you should always clean up your area after finishing a project. Obviously, this includes getting rid of the dust particles. Generally speaking, a vacuum would do the trick. However, it's not always practical to use a vacuum on other surfaces. For instance, you might not want to use one on your workbench, especially if you have different tools laid out. So, what do you do? How about using a Swedish dishcloth? The way they're made, they are actually fantastic at picking up small particles. Simply dampen the cloth (just slightly) and you'll be able to get rid of the dust easily; they should stick right onto the fabric. With that, all that's left to do is to rinse it all off with some water. Once that's done, you can use the sponge cloth again to wipe and sanitize your working area—just add a bit of soap for good measure.Medical Uses
Believe it or not, but Swedish dishcloths can also be used for medical purposes. For instance, they can be great for electrotherapy. What is electrotherapy? It is a type of therapy that uses electrical energy for treatment. Aside from osteoarthritis, it can also be used for neck and back pain, as well as shoulder disorders. You've probably seen this before—it usually involves a small machine that is attached to a number of electrodes, which you put on the skin. By delivering current to the skin's surface, it is possible to relieve pain.
Now you're probably wondering—"how can you use dishcloths for something like that?". The truth is, cotton and cellulose fabric can be used to deliver electrical currents to the body. How does this work? To put it simply, plate electrodes are added to the cloth once it is dampened—that will allow them to transfer electrical energy to the appropriate tissues for treatment. Usually, this process only takes a matter of seconds; there should be no skin irritation.
Following the therapy session, the cellulose dishcloths can be washed and prepared for the next session.Using it for Skincare Purposes
Speaking of which, these types of cloth can also be used for cleaning your skin. More specifically, they can be used to remove impurities such as dirt and oils; this helps to prevent potential breakouts. After all, the surface of your skin constantly comes into contact with pollutants (including bacteria and viruses) throughout the day. Essentially, you can use the Swedish dishcloth like a face towel. Moisten it with water until soft before adding a small amount of gentle cleaner. From there, you can use it to gently clean your skin. When you're done, rinse the cleaner off of the cloth and hang it up to dry. You'll probably need to dry your face with another towel.
Note: Generally speaking, these cloths are gentle enough for the face. However, everybody's skin reacts differently. Some of us might be more sensitive to certain materials than others. For this reason, it might be a good idea to test the cloth with a small patch of skin first, before using it for the entire face—this is especially true for those with sensitive skin or cases of dermatitis.
Every once in a while, you'll want to sanitize the sponge cloth in the wash. There's no point using it if the cloth itself is filled with bacteria, after all!
Cleaning Fish Tanks
Do you have pet fish? If so, you're probably familiar with how easy it is for tanks to be overwhelmed by algae. Even if you clean everything regularly, there's bound to be some in and around the corners. Sure, there are specialized tools that you can buy from the pet store that can help with that, but let's face it—they can be expensive. Instead of buying a glorified glass cleaner, why not just use a Swedish dishcloth? As mentioned earlier, these fabrics are great for cleaning glass—they won't even leave any streak marks! Perhaps the best thing about them, though, is that they're all natural. You won't have to worry about the material harming your fish. How should you go about using it for your tanks? Simply dampen it with water (you might want to do this before putting it in the tank) and use it to scrub away the algae. The way that they're designed, the cloths actually have small ridges, which will help to remove the algae. By scrubbing gently, you should be able to remove most, if not all of the green from your tank. Note: Be sure to rinse the dishcloth thoroughly after washing it with soap. While the cloth itself is harmless, the soap can easily hurt the fish.Cleaning Your Pets
Sponge cloths can also be used to clean your furry friends. If you own a dog or a cat, then you probably know how dirty that can get sometimes. From muddy footprints to grass-stained paws, they can be quite messy! While you can give them a bath, it's not practical to do that every time they get themselves in something icky. Instead, what you can do is wipe them clean with a Swedish dishcloth. Wet the cloth with some water and use it to wipe away the excess mud or dirt from your pet. From there, you can add a little bit of pet shampoo to the cloth for a more thorough "wash". Afterward, rinse the shampoo off of the cloth with water and use it to wipe your pet clean.
Incredibly soft, the cloth will not cause any distress to your pet—some of them might even enjoy the "grooming" session. As with all cloths and towels, however, you do not want to let your pet chew on the dish cloth; you can prevent this by placing it in a secure area.
Pro-tip: Heading off to the dog park? Bring a Swedish dishcloth with you. That way, you'll be able to wipe their paws off before they jump into the car! Who wants mud and dirt on the car seats, right?
Using them as Udder Cloths
When it comes to milk, you want two things—healthy cattle and hygienic measures. After all, the milk will be used for consumption. Considering this, it only makes sense that you’d want to minimize the amount of bacteria present. As such, the teats and udders should always be cleaned and disinfected prior to milking. Not only will this eliminate the risk of bacteria entering the tank, but it will prevent it from infecting the teat cups.
How do you clean the udders? Generally speaking, you want to use an approved udder wash and a clean paper towel. Do you see where we're getting at? You can easily substitute a paper towel with a Swedish dishcloth! For one thing, it would be much better for the environment. Second of all, dampened cellulose cloths tend to be much softer and gentler on the udders than paper towels. When the cloth becomes soiled, it can also be sanitized by boiling, microwaving, or other methods.
Other advantages:
- The dishcloths have a small, stimulating effect on the udder
- Extremely durable and lint-free
- Can be composted when it is worn down
- Highly absorbent