Cellulose, Cotton or Both? The Best Swedish Dish Cloths

A tamalada leaves a particular kind of mess. There is masa smeared across the counter, wet corn husks dripping by the sink, a film of lard on every surface you touched, and red chile sauce wherever someone set a spoon down. A dish towel just pushes that around, and a roll of paper towels disappears in an afternoon. That is the job a Swedish dishcloth is made for.

A Swedish dishcloth is a thin, stiff sheet, usually a blend of cellulose and cotton, that turns soft and sponge-like when wet. It soaks up spills like a sponge, wipes flat like a cloth, and dries quickly between uses. This guide covers the ones worth buying, what each maker says about washing and lifespan, and which compostability claims come from the maker rather than from us.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which Swedish dishcloth to buy

Here are the five standouts side by side, followed by all eight cloths in full.

Five Swedish dishcloths side by side

Our five standout picks, one for each kind of kitchen, with the material, washing and lifespan each maker states. All eight cloths are reviewed in full below.

Product images from Amazon. Materials, washing methods, lifespans and compostability are as each maker states them; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best Swedish dish cloths

These eight cloths cover the choices that actually differ: the cellulose and cotton blend versus all-cellulose cloths, packs of three versus ten, and makers that rate their cloths for the dishwasher, the washing machine or the dryer. Where a maker claims its cloth replaces a number of paper towel rolls or is compostable, we report that as the maker’s claim. None of the makers here claims the cloth is antibacterial, and neither do we.

How to choose a Swedish dishcloth

The cloths look alike on the shelf. These are the differences that matter in daily use.

1. The blend

Most Swedish dishcloths are about 70% cellulose and 30% cotton; the cotton adds strength. All-cellulose cloths, such as Full Circle and Casabella, are another option. Look for a listing that names the blend; several cheaper listings do not.

2. How you will wash it

This is where makers differ most. Some say dishwasher or washing machine but no dryer (If You Care); some allow the dryer (Skoy, and Swedish Wholesale on low); some give only a top-rack dishwasher rating (Casabella). Pick the cloth that fits the way you already do laundry, or you will end up breaking the rules.

3. Stated lifespan

Makers measure life in washes, months, or paper towel rolls replaced, and the figures range widely, from “several weeks” to 300 washes. Treat them as the maker’s estimate. In any kitchen, a cloth that has gone thin, frayed or sour-smelling after washing is due for replacement.

4. Size and pack count

An 8 by 7-inch cloth covers a counter faster than a 7 by 6-inch one. For a household that cooks every day, a ten-pack lets you rotate cloths so each one gets washed and fully dried before it is used again.

5. Compostable claims

Several makers describe their cloths as biodegradable or compostable. Read the wording: “commercially compostable” means a municipal or industrial facility, not necessarily a backyard pile. We report these as the makers’ claims.

Swedish dishcloths do not replace everything. You still want a cotton or linen towel for drying dishes and hands; our guide to dish towels covers those. A sink caddy gives a damp cloth somewhere to dry upright between uses, and if you are cutting back on paper rather than giving it up, see our paper towel holder picks.

How we chose these eight dishcloths

We started from what a working kitchen needs from a wiping cloth: it should absorb a real spill, wipe a counter without streaks or scratches, rinse out quickly and dry between uses. We then looked at Swedish-style cellulose dishcloths sold on Amazon in the United States, checked that each was in stock using Amazon’s product data, and took material, size, washing, lifespan and compostability claims from each maker’s own listing, quoting them as the maker’s claims. We favored listings that state the material and washing method, chose cloths from identifiable brands, and left out listings from generic sellers and near-identical packs. We did not include any claim that a cloth is antibacterial, since none of these makers make one on the listings we read. We have not used these products ourselves; where we describe one, we are reporting what its maker says.

Swedish dishcloth questions, answered

What is a Swedish dishcloth made of?

Usually a blend of cellulose (wood pulp) and cotton, often about 70% and 30%, as Wettex, If You Care and SUPERSCANDI state. Some, like Full Circle and Casabella, are all cellulose.

How do you clean a Swedish dishcloth?

Follow the maker. Most on this list can go in the dishwasher or washing machine; Full Circle and Skoy also suggest the microwave (wet cloth, a minute or a few minutes). If You Care says not to use bleach or the dryer.

How long does a Swedish dishcloth last?

Makers’ figures range from several weeks (AIDEA) to 9 to 12 months (Swedish Wholesale) and up to 300 washes (If You Care). Replace a cloth when it thins, tears or keeps a smell after washing.

Are Swedish dishcloths compostable?

Several makers say so: If You Care, SUPERSCANDI and Swedish Wholesale (commercially compostable), and Skoy and Wettex describe theirs as biodegradable. Others make no claim.

Why does my Swedish dishcloth go stiff?

That is normal. Swedish Wholesale notes its cloths dry “hard like cardboard” and soften again when wet.

Our final pick for the kitchen sink

More for the sink and counter: dish racks, soap dispensers, utensil holders, trash cans, compost bins.

Still choosing between cloths and sponges? See dish cloth vs sponge.

Prefer cotton? See our guide to the best dish cloths.

Related guide: Paper towel alternative.

For most kitchens, start with a Wettex ten-pack: the original blend, made in Sweden, and enough cloths to rotate. Choose If You Care if you want the longest stated life, or Skoy if your cloths go through the dryer with everything else. After the next tamalada, a fresh cloth and a hot rinse will deal with the masa; for what to do with the tamales themselves, read what tamales are, and if you need a steamer, see our tamale steamer guide. If you would rather leave the cooking to someone else, see the menu and call to order.