Ditch the Paper Towels: Our Top Reusable Cleaning Cloth Picks
Switching to reusable cloths can save you hundreds of dollars and keep a mountain of waste out of landfills.
The best reusable cloths are highly absorbent, durable enough to survive dozens of washes, and suited for their specific task, whether it’s soaking up a spill or drying glassware without lint. Poor quality cloths fall apart, push water around, and end up being just as wasteful as the paper towels they’re meant to replace.
- Swedish vs. Cotton Swedish-style cellulose cloths are for absorbing spills quickly, while cotton towels are better for drying dishes and general-purpose cleaning.
- Clean Your Cloths Correctly To maximize lifespan and hygiene, machine wash cloths regularly or place them on the top rack of your dishwasher. This prevents bacteria growth and odors.
- Calculate the Savings A single $15 pack of reusable cloths can replace over $100 worth of disposable paper towels over its lifetime, making the upfront cost a smart investment.
- Don't Go 100% Reusable (Yet) While reusables cover 95% of jobs, it’s wise to keep a single roll of paper towels for exceptionally greasy messes or pet accidents you don’t want in your washing machine.
![Utopia Towels Blue Dish Towels [12 Pack - 15 x 25 Inches] 100% Ring Spun Cotton Highly Absorbent & Reusable Cleaning Bar, Tea, Kitchen and Dishcloths Set - 200 GSM](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41GnvDITdwL._SS520_.jpg)
Best Overall: Skoy Cloth, 8-Pack Versatile Swedish Dishcloths
Absorbing 15 times its own weight, these durable Swedish dishcloths replace paper towels and sponges for months. They are easily cleaned in the dishwa
- Extremely absorbent for spills
- Dries quickly, reducing odors
- Easy to sanitize in dishwasher or microwave
- Compostable at end of life
- Can feel stiff and brittle when dry
- May stain with dark liquids like coffee or wine
- Not ideal for scrubbing abrasive surfaces
Best Premium: Utopia Towels Blue Dish Towels [12 Pack]
Made from 100% ring-spun cotton, these towels offer a premium, durable feel. This large 12-pack is highly absorbent and perfect for everything from dr
- Soft and durable cotton feel
- Large pack offers excellent value
- Low-lint construction is great for drying glassware
- Gets more absorbent with each wash
- Slower to dry than cellulose cloths
- Can hold odors if left damp
- Thinner than plush terry towels
Best Budget: Reusable Cleaning Cellulose Sponge Cloths (5pcs)
These cellulose sponge cloths offer heavy-duty suction power for a surprisingly low price. They are tear-resistant and reusable, providing a great eco
- Extremely low price point
- Performs similarly to more expensive brands
- Highly absorbent for its size
- Takes up very little storage space
- Smaller pack size means you’ll buy more often
- Durability may be less than premium brands
- Limited color/design options
Best Bulk Pack: Reusable Cleaning Cloths, 50 Count
Stock up with this 50-count pack of heavy-duty, machine-washable cloths. A cost-effective alternative to single-use products, these quick-drying towel
- Incredible value with 50 cloths
- Perforated roll for easy dispensing
- Strong enough for tough cleaning jobs
- Can be washed and reused multiple times
- Thinner than traditional cloths
- Feels more like a disposable ‘shop towel’
- May not last as many washes as cotton or cellulose
Runner Up: Skoy Cloth, 4-pack Versatile Swedish Dishcloths
These versatile Swedish dishcloths are a fantastic paper towel alternative, designed to last for months. They are machine washable and can even be mic
- Proven performance and durability
- Great for smaller households or as a trial pack
- Assorted colors can be used for color-coding tasks
- Easy to clean and sanitize
- Less cost-effective per cloth than the 8-pack
- Still has the same stiffness when dry
- Not a significant cost savings over the larger pack
Best for Tough Stains: FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover With Reusable Cloth
This kit pairs a powerful spot remover with a reusable cloth to tackle the toughest messes. The water-based formula safely lifts stains like red wine,
- Includes legendary FOLEX stain remover
- Cloth is designed for scrubbing stains
- Excellent for targeted, tough messes
- Safer water-based formula
- Cloth is not sold separately
- Not a general-purpose cleaning cloth
- Higher price point for a single cloth and cleaner
Side-by-side comparison
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Best Overall
Skoy Cloth, 8-Pack Versatile Swedish Dishcloths fo
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Best Premium
Utopia Towels Blue Dish Towels [12 Pack – 15 x 25
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Best Budget
Reusable Cleaning Cellulose Sponge Cloths Absorben
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Best Bulk Pack
Reusable Cleaning Cloths,50 Count,Thickened Heavy
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Runner Up
Skoy Cloth, 4-pack Versatile Swedish Dishcloths fo
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Best for Tough Stains
FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover 32 oz – Powerful
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| Material | Cellulose/Cotton | Cotton | Cellulose | Non-Woven Fabric | Cellulose/Cotton | Terry Cloth |
| Absorbency | 5 /10 | 4 /10 | 5 /10 | 3 /10 | 5 /10 | 3 /10 |
| Machine Washable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pack Size | 8 | 12 | 5 | 50 | 4 | 1 (+ cleaner) |
| Price | – | $16.95 | $6.98 | $15.99 | $7.99 | $26.99 |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
What to look for in Reusable Cleaning Cloths
How are Swedish dishcloths different from regular cloths?
Swedish dishcloths are made from a cellulose and cotton blend, making them extremely absorbent like a sponge and stiff when dry, but soft when wet. Regular cloths, typically cotton, are softer overall, better for drying, but take longer to dry out themselves and are less absorbent.
How do I properly clean and sanitize reusable cloths?
Most can be tossed in the washing machine (use hot water and avoid fabric softener) or placed on the top rack of your dishwasher. For a quick sanitization, cellulose cloths can be microwaved while damp for 1-2 minutes. Always let them air dry completely to prevent mildew.
How many reusable cloths do I actually need?
For a typical family, an 8-pack is a great start. This allows you to have a few in use, a few in the laundry hamper, and a few clean and ready to go. This creates a constant rotation so you’re never without a clean cloth.
Can reusable cloths really replace paper towels completely?
For about 95% of household tasks, yes. They handle spills, wiping counters, and general cleaning perfectly. However, it’s still practical to keep one roll of paper towels for the most extreme messes, like heavy grease or pet accidents that you don’t want in your washing machine.
The Bottom Line
- Skoy Cloth, 8-Pack: The best all-around for spills and counter wiping.
- Utopia Towels: The top choice for a traditional, low-lint cotton towel experience.
- Reusable Cleaning Cellulose Sponge Cloths: A fantastic, low-cost way to try Swedish-style cloths.
- Reusable Cleaning Cloths, 50 Count: The ultimate bulk option for high-volume cleaning needs.
- Skoy Cloth, 4-pack: A great starting point for smaller households or for testing the waters.
- FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover: A specialized tool for when you need to tackle tough stains on fabric and carpet.
For most homes, the Skoy Cloth 8-Pack is the clear winner, offering unmatched absorbency and long-term value for daily kitchen tasks. If you prefer the feel of a traditional towel and need a larger supply for drying dishes and bigger jobs, the Utopia Towels 12-Pack is a durable, lint-free workhorse.
