favor-“ette”: three bluebirds swedish dishcloths

throw out that gross sponge and stop buying paper towels! Three Bluebirds Swedish dishcloths are GAME CHANGING!

You guys, I’m officially gets-excited-about-dishcloths-years-old.

About a month ago, yet another article popped up on my feed, describing (in the usual gory detail) all the horrors that are lurking in my kitchen sponge.

This is not new information, and over the years I’ve made several (mostly half-hearted) attempts to right this wrong – from expensive sponges to cheap sponges (that I’d vow to toss more regularly – and didn’t), to cleaning them in everything from the dishwasher to the microwave.

But I’d eventually forget about my good intentions, and go back to my not-so-good sponge habits.

And don’t even ask about my paper towel usage. I’m the WORST.

But a new year was upon us and I really wanted to make a change that would stick. One that would be easy, pleasant, effective and not break the bank. So I took to Facebook and asked my local moms’ group what they all do. And the answers were pretty much what I expected. Except for one. My friend Kristy shared a link to Three Bluebirds Swedish dishcloths.

You guys KNOW that I love all things Scandinavian (and Scandinavia!), so I was instantly smitten by the charming designs (seriously, there are dozens to choose from!). But I was even more impressed with the history:

Swedish dishcloths have been around for 70 years, and the material used today is exactly the same: 70% wood cellulose from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forests and 30% cotton. The best way to describe the texture is that of a “spongy” dishtowel – and it replaces both the need for sponges AND paper towels.

Seriously. One Swedish dishcloth replaces 17 ROLLS of paper towels. It absorbs 20 times its weight, is more hygienic than a sponge and air dries quickly (so it doesn’t breed bacteria or produce any bad smells).

And it just gets better.

A Swedish dishcloth can be washed 200 times, either in the washing machine or in the top rack of the dishwasher. And when you’re ready to toss it, you can compost it!

I had to try these cloths.

They were as lovely as I expected, but would they work?

I had ample opportunity to find out. With the start of the new year I had a ton of client work, family dinners and other recipes to get to, so these cloths were going to be put to the test. I tossed my sponge, hid my paper towels and got busy:

Roasted Broccoli
Chicken Parm
Coffee Cake Doughnuts
Energy Bars
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Lemon Crunch Bars
Chicken Noodle Soup
Friend’s baby’s 1st birthday cake
These cookies
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Peanut Butter Pancakes
Chicken Pepper Stir Fry

A LOT of messes. A LOT of dishes. And I can honestly say that these dishcloths delivered 100%. They are a joy to use, wiping up spills, cleaning up drips, and washing all those dishes. I’d toss it in the dishwasher at night and in the morning it was fresh as can be and ready to get back to work.

And how pretty are they???

Three Bluebirds is a family business, established in 2013. They are the first to design AND print in the USA, using the original material that was patented in Sweden in 1949.

I pride myself on sharing things that I truly believe in, that I think you will love just as much as I do. So I’m over the moon that this favor-“ette” is also a win for the environment! I hope you give them a try!

Note: I was not compensated for this post. Three Bluebirds kindly sent me some of their dishcloths to try;  all comments and opinions are – as always – completely my own.

Related posts:

favor-“ette”: a nut tip favor-“ette”: a pan tip favor-“ette”: a pot tip