I Stopped Buying Paper Towels for Good, Thanks to This $13 Find

When I was growing up, my parents were hyper-vigilant about our household’s paper towel consumption. Using one in place of a cloth dinner napkin was unacceptable, and if I ever used more than a single perforated sheet to wipe up a spill then I’d expect to hear about it. It wasn’t until I was a fully grown adult, responsible for stocking my own kitchen, that I understood why: Paper towels aren’t cheap! They’re also super wasteful, which is why I’ve made the switch to the more sustainable and budget-friendly Stasher Reusable Swedish Dishcloths — and I’m never going back. Here’s why. 

You probably know Stasher for its best-selling reusable silicone bags (which got one editor at The Kitchn to quit plastic bags for good). Well, the Swedish Dishcloths are the latest addition to the brand’s lineup of sustainable alternatives to disposable, single-use products. Stasher sells them in a pack of three for $13, which is nearly half the price of the 12-pack of paper towels I used to repurchase all the time. Just one of the 7×8-inch dishcloths replaces up to 17 rolls of paper towels, making these a sustainable steal. They’re made of wood pulp cellulose and printed in water-based inks, so they break down fully in the compost at the end of their lifecycle, ensuring they never end up in a landfill. 

Stasher’s Reusable Swedish Dishcloths can do everything a traditional paper towel can, and then some. Use them to clean and dust surfaces, wipe down appliances, absorb spills, wash dishes — even clean produce (they’re 100% food-safe). The absorbent dishcloths are designed to tackle almost anything, and can be cleaned between uses with soap and water (although you can always toss them in the dishwasher or washing machine for deeper cleans). What’s more, they claim to dry quickly without leaving any residual odors behind, which can’t really be said for a run-of-the-mill cleaning rag or sponge. 

After using the Stasher Reusable Swedish Dishcloths for about a month, I don’t think I’ll be purchasing another pack of paper towels any time soon — they’re the easiest sustainable swap! Once dampened, the dishcloths spring to life, softening into a squishy, durable cloth; I just squeeze out the excess water and use it like I would a paper towel, wiping down surfaces with my preferred household cleaner. I find that they wipe up crumbs and absorb spills with ease. And unlike bar towels I’ve tried using in the past, these rinse totally clean between uses, which means no odor-causing residue gets left behind. 

I reserved one of the Swedish Dishcloths for use in my kitchen, and I have been using it nightly to wipe down the counters and stovetop after cooking. What’s more, I find I can get a solid week’s worth of use out of one of the dishcloths before it’s time to throw them in the wash with my regular dish towels. My old bar towels could only go a day or two before they became unusable. 

When used to clean glass and mirrors, I find that the Swedish Dishcloths don’t only deliver a streak-free clean, but they also don’t leave any fuzzy lint pieces behind, which happened to me often with paper towels. I honestly feel like they bring out the best in my household cleaning products. And when it comes to dusting surfaces in my apartment, I can skip products altogether: The lightly dampened dishcloth picks up dust just fine, thanks to its ribbed-textured front and raised diamonds on the back. 

I even keep one of the dishcloths in my shower so I can wipe down the tile, bathtub edges, and fixtures while I bathe (the best cleaning hack, in my opinion). Once I’m done I wring out the water and leave it perched on the soap holder — and because it dries so quickly, I never have to worry about it getting gross and musty. 

Stasher’s Reusable Swedish Dishcloths haven’t only up and replaced the paper towels in my apartment — they’ve also taken my cleaning routine to the next level. Give them a try, and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you, too. 

Buy: Stasher Reusable Swedish Dishcloths, $13