2020 taught us a lot. Not the least of which, was the importance of having an alternative to paper towels. As paper product shortages became a reality, those who had already made the switch to reusable Swedish kitchen dishcloths found themselves prepared. After all, reusable dishcloths have been gaining in popularity due to being effective, affordable, versatile, environmentally friendly, and powerful cleaning tools.
However, not all Swedish dishcloths are the same. Some aren’t even made in Sweden. So, although some may try to imitate, there simply isn’t a substitute for the original Wettex Swedish Dishcloth. Here is everything you need to know about the best Swedish dishcloth on the market.
What is a Wettex Swedish Dishcloth?
Offering all of the benefits of sponges and paper towels, with none of the drawbacks, Wettex dishcloths are made using a proprietary production process. The very first reusable Wettex Swedish dishcloth was developed in the 1950s after Curt Lindquist put a sponge in a meat grinder, flattened it out, and mixed it with cotton. The result was nothing short of a breakthrough in household cleaning products.
The newly developed Swedish dishcloth was effectively the perfect blend of a sponge and a paper towel. The Wettex dishcloth proved to be:
- 100% natural (and vegan-approved!)
- Able to absorb up to 15 times its weight in water
- As absorbent as a sponge
- Biodegradable
- Cost-effective, by replacing the need for 15 rolls of paper towels, with a single Wettex
- Effective at cleaning glass, countertops, porcelain, plastic, granite, tile, and more
- Environmentally superior to wasteful paper products
- Equally quick to dry as a paper towel
- Faster to dry than a typical sponge
- Less likely to grow bacteria than a sponge
- Less likely to smell bad than a sponge
- Long-lasting
- More durable than a paper towel (won’t tear)
- More durable than a sponge (won’t pill/crumble)
- Reusable
- Washable
The revolutionary product was eventually named Wettex, by the inventor’s wife Margareta Lindquist. She astutely combined the words wet and textile, to name the sponge cloth Wettex.
How to Use a Wettex Dishcloth
Wettex dishcloths should be moistened with water, and then rung out before using to clean up spills. When using with cleaning sprays, just spray the surface as normal, and wipe with a Wettex dishcloth, instead of a paper towel, or another cloth towel. Avoid using Wettex sponge cloths on sharp items such as knives, or to clean graters, peelers, etc., to prevent cutting the cloth.
What are Reusable Swedish Dishcloths Made From?
Wettex dishcloths are a blend of 70 % cellulose and 30% cotton. This unique blend allows them to be 15 times more absorbent than a typical dishcloth. To this day, Wettex Swedish dishcloths are produced in the original sponge cloth factory in Norrköping, Sweden. The factory is highly modernized and is the only factory in the world that specializes in producing these unique cellulose sponge cloths.
How long do Swedish dishcloths last?
Wettex, the original Swedish sponge cloth can last for months, or even years, depending upon how you use it, and how frequently you wash it. Wettex dishcloths can withstand hundreds of washings. Wettex can be washed in a variety of ways including:
- Washing machine (preferred method)
- On the top shelf of a dishwasher
- Microwave (damp cloth, 1 minute)
- Boiled
We recommend washing your Wettex in the washing machine and allowing it to air dry. Wettex reusable dishcloths that are washed in your washing machine at a temperature of approximately 140° F, have been known to last for several years.
Why is Wettex Considered the Best Swedish Dishcloth?
Numbers don’t lie, and when it comes to reusable Swedish dishcloths, only Wettex dishcloths are found in more than 90% of Swedish households. In fact, in Sweden, “Wettex” is a household name, the same way “Xerox” is in the United States.
More evidence that Wettex is the best Swedish dishcloth available can be seen through the incredible production numbers of these cellulose sponge cloths. The factory where the original Swedish dishcloths were first made in Sweden manufactures more than 600 million Wettex sponge cloths each year. (There is a factory in Germany, but 80% of all Swedish sponge cloths are made in Norrköping, Sweden, where the original factor only produces Swedish dishcloths.)
Swedish Dishcloths are Ecofriendly
Wettex Swedish dishcloths are known for being much better for our planet than paper towels and regular sponges. They greatly reduce the waste that accompanies paper towel packaging. Wettex reusable sponge cloths are also completely biodegradable, making them an eco-friendly alternative to traditional sponges which take years to break down.
Cellulose Dishcloths are Vegan
Wettex is proud of the fact that our reusable dishcloths are 100% vegan. Our all-natural cellulose and cotton sponges do not contain any animal products, nor does the manufacturing process harm any animals.
Reusable Dishcloths Help Slow Growth of Bacteria
Typical sponges allow bacteria to grow because they take a long time to dry. Because Wettex Swedish dishcloths are fast-drying, bacteria have less opportunity to grow. This quick-drying feature is also the reason that Wettex dishcloths don’t develop bad smells like regular kitchen sponges.
Wettex Comes in a Variety of Styles, Prints, and Colors
Wettex Swedish dishcloths are available to match your home, your style, or your personality. Available in a variety of packages, colors, and styles, Wettex cellulose sponges include:
- Original Colored 4-Pack (Yellow, Green, Blue, Red)
- Original Colored 10-Pack (Yellow, Green, Blue, Red)
- Original Art Collection (White Background, Colorful Print)
- Original White 4-Pack (White Background, Colorful Floral Prints)
- Sunflower Art Collection 3-Pack
- Pink Ribbon Art Collection 3-Pack
- 70th Anniversary Edition (Blue, Green, Red Retro Print)
Uses for Wettex Sponge Cloths Beyond the Kitchen
Wettex didn’t earn its reputation as the best Swedish dishcloths available simply because they are powerful, practical, affordable kitchen cleaners. While they are perfect kitchen towels, Wettex sponge dishcloths can be used for cleaning much more than countertops and sinks.
For all of your glass surfaces, consider using Wettex instead of a wasteful paper towel, or a cloth towel that leaves behind fibers and streaks. Our unique cellulose sponges do not leave behind fibers from cloth towels, and they won’t leave streaks like paper towels. This makes Wettex perfect for cleaning windows, mirrors, and glass shower doors.
Wettex can also be used with soap, water, or cleaners on surfaces including porcelain, plastic, granite, tile, and stainless steel.
To no surprise, because Wettex doesn’t leave behind streaks or fiber residue, they have also become extremely popular for cleaning commercial and medical facilities.
In addition, Wettex has begun to emerge as the sponge of choice for washing cars, boats, aircraft. These versatile sponges can also be used to clean sports equipment.
One of the more surprising uses for Wettex cellulose sponges is to use them in your house plants. These versatile sponges are perfect for germinating seeds and can even be used to prevent soil from leaking from the bottom of potted houseplants.
Lastly, although you’re probably not planning to head into space anytime soon, Wettex has already been there! Indeed, our dishcloths were used during the June 1965 Gemini program. Wettex was actually used as insulation in the walls of the Gemini 4 capsule manned space flight!
Where to Buy the Original Swedish Dishcloths
So-called “Swedish dishcloths” are gaining in popularity, even though many of them are not actually made in Sweden. As such, many retailers are beginning to sell “Swedish dishcloths” that are made in China.
Wettex, the original Swedish dishcloth made in Sweden can only be purchased on the Wettex USA store or Amazon. Free shipping is available on the Wettex USA store, for purchases of more than $20. Amazon Prime offers free shipping on a variety of Wettex sponge cloth packages.
Does Target sell Swedish dishcloths?
Target does not sell Wettex Swedish dishcloths. Wettex, the company that gave rise to the popularity of Swedish dishcloths, is only sold on the Wettex USA store, or Amazon.
Does IKEA sell Wettex Swedish dishcloths?
IKEA may sell products labeled as Swedish dishcloths, but they do not carry Wettex, the original Swedish dishcloth still made in the original factory in Sweden.
Make the Switch to the Original Swedish Dishcloth
When you’re ready to stop wasting money, and the Earth’s resources, you’re ready to try Wettex, the original Swedish dishcloth. Our eco-friendly dishcloths have a variety of uses and will allow you to reduce your paper waste, from the very first use. With just one Wettex, you’re able to eliminate the cost and waste generated by more than a dozen paper towel rolls.
You’re also able to achieve streak-free, cleaning for surfaces ranging from countertops and stovetops to glass, plastic, porcelain, and more.
Wettex’s super absorbency allows for easy cleanups of even the worst spills. And the washable nature of our reusable dishcloths ensures that you will effectively never run out of towels for cleaning.
For more than 70 years, our propriety process in manufacturing 100% natural, biodegradable, vegan dishcloths have been the gold standard in Swedish dishcloths. Combining the advantages of sponges and paper towels into one quick-drying, affordable, multi-purpose product, Wettex is the beloved brand of more than 90% of Swedish households and growing in popularity in the U.S.
The premium quality of our products enables us to offer a 100% refund if you’re not completely satisfied with our sponge cloths. To order Wettex today, visit us at Wettex USA online, or shop our Amazon store.
