Paper towels for everyday wipes swap to Swedish dishcloths

Why make the swap

• Why switch to swedish dishcloths

  A Swedish dishcloth is a plant-based (cellulose) sponge cloth you rinse, wring and reuse instead of tossing after one wipe.

• What's the concern with paper towels for everyday wipes

  Each sheet is used once and thrown away. EPA counted 3.8 million tons of tissue paper and towels in 2018 US trash and found no significant recycling.

• General information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing or have a health condition.

• Good to know before you buy

  Keep a roll of paper towels for raw meat and grease. Wring the cloth out to air-dry between uses and machine-wash it every few days to keep it fresh.

• Sources (2)

  1. EPA: tissue paper and towels made up 3.8 million tons of US municipal waste in 2018, with no significant recycling (opens in a new tab)
  2. AIDEA listing: Swedish dishcloths "endure several weeks of use; washable and reusable" (opens in a new tab)

  Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.