Okay, let’s be real for a sec... why is everyone calling Swedish dishcloths “reusable paper towels”? 😂 They are both fabulous and very reusable, but they are not the same thing. In my kitchen they’re teammates with different jobs: Swedish dishcloths are my big spill/shiny surface champs, and our Reusable Paper Towels are the everyday MVPs you’ll reach for 100 times a week.
The vibe check
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Swedish Dishcloths: stiff when dry, super soakers when wet. I grab these for smoothie explosions, wiping counters, and getting glass + stainless streak-free.
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Reusable Paper Towels (RPTs): soft, flexible cotton that acts like the paper towels you grew up with, just way cuter and washable!!
What I use them for (real life edition)
Swedish Dishcloths = spill hero + sparkle squad
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Giant spills (kiddo juice tsunami? handled.)
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Wiping counters clean
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Streak-free glass + stainless
Reusable Paper Towels = everyday everything
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Bowl cover in the microwave (no splatter, no drama)
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Dinner napkins (soft on faces!)
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Quick cleanups + hand-drying
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On your Swiffer-style mop (yep, tuck it in and go, wet or dry)
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Lunchbox liners, snack time, you name it
- Produce storage 🥬
Quick side-by-side
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Absorbency: SDCs are instant super-soakers; RPTs get more absorbent after 8–10 washes (that’s normal!).
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Feel: SDCs = firm-to-soft; RPTs = soft from the start.
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Care: Both easy, RPTs go in the washer/dryer; SDCs rinse + air-dry, and can go top-rack in the dishwasher or the washer/dryer.
Do you need both?
Short answer: not required… but also yes. 😉 My personal sweet spot is 2 Swedish dishcloths + a stack of 24-48 reusable paper towels. The dishcloths drink the floods; the RPTs do the daily life.
Care 101 (fast + painless)
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RPTs: Wash before first use; peak absorbency around washes 8–10. Toss in with regular laundry, skip fabric softener. Use for years to come.
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SDCs: Rinse, wring, hang. Sanitize in the dishwasher or washer; air-dry. Use for about 6-9 months.
Swedish dishcloths and reusable paper towels are cousins, not twins. They both earn their keep, but if you want that “paper towel experience” (microwave cover, napkin, mop pad, everyday wipe-up), you’ll reach for our Reusable Paper Towels constantly. Keep a couple Swedish dishcloths for the splash-zones and shiny finishes, and you’re golden.
💖 Porsha