How many dish cloths do you own? I bet it’s more than one, and they probably take up some space in your kitchen cupboard. And while dish cloths can be very useful in the kitchen, you might not know all of the smart ways to use them in your household. Here are 8 smart ways to use dish cloths in your home, and they’re sure to come in handy in lots of different scenarios!

 

Clean Fruits and Vegetables with Dish Cloths

Most fruits and vegetables are safe to eat even if they have a few spots, but if you’re concerned about bacteria on produce, simply give it a quick scrub with a plain old dish cloths. Note: If produce is particularly dirty or bruised, it’s best not to use raw produce in any way that might result in its juices coming into contact with cooked or ready-to-eat foods. A clean dishcloth can also help prevent cross-contamination of foods while you’re cooking.

While you don’t have to disinfect fruits and vegetables before eating them, they are still dirty. Cleaning your produce with a cotton dishcloth is one of the best ways to keep bacteria from getting on your food. Since it is porous, it can absorb any residual juices left behind on your food after washing it in water. It also reduces exposure time between when you wash fruits and vegetables and when you eat them, making sure that there isn’t enough time for harmful microorganisms to grow. As an added bonus, many dishcloths come pre-scented, eliminating unnecessary waste (and plastic) as you’re less likely to need individually packaged moist towels or rags. Dishcloths aren’t just great at cleaning kitchen surfaces; try using them instead of paper towels around your home and office as well. 

Clean Glasses and Mugs with Dish Cloths

Dishcloths work great for cleaning glasses and mugs because of their texture, but there are other smart ways you can use them as well. For example, you can use a dish cloth as a potholder when taking dishes out of a hot oven or as a cozy when you’re taking that morning cup of coffee on your commute. In addition, they come in handy when painting. They absorb excess paint so you don’t have to worry about dripping on whatever might be underneath. And, dishcloths also do a great job absorbing drips from outdoor plants—so gardeners find them useful too!

Dry Sponges or Scrubbers With Dish Cloths

This is probably one of the most common ways that we think about using dish cloths, and it’s true that sponges and scrubbers can be very useful. However, you might not want to use something like a sponge on glassware and china—using a wet sponge (even if it’s been wrung out thoroughly) could lead to water spots on your more delicate pieces of dinnerware. A better option for dishes you need to wash gently? Microfiber dishcloths. These are made with ultra-fine fibers that won’t scratch or leave any sort of residue when they come in contact with dishes or flatware, so they work great on just about anything in your home. 

Polish Silverware

The best way to keep silverware tarnish-free is by rubbing it with a clean dishcloth. Simply grab one corner of your dishcloth and rub it in circular motions over your tarnished silverware. (Don’t worry if your cloth looks tarnished afterward; that’s just silver metal rubbing off.) Some spoons may require extra attention, but if you get into a groove, you can polish large amounts of silverware in no time. If you do end up polishing your hands as well, fear not—just wash them under warm water. You can also rinse off dishcloths after use to prevent them from absorbing more water than they need. This simple step will reduce rust stains on dishcloths and extend their longevity. 

Wash Plastic Containers

Dishcloths can be used for washing dishes, of course, but they also work well at cleaning hard-to-reach places and small items around your home. For example, you can wash plastic containers and Tupperware in a sink with warm water and dish soap by using a dishcloth as an extra cleaning tool. You can also use them to scrub off stains from your countertops, whether you’re using homemade natural cleaners or store-bought products like bleach and ammonia. Just make sure you check your cloth regularly and replace it if it becomes worn out so that bacteria doesn’t spread throughout your kitchen. It may seem old-fashioned, but there is plenty of household uses for dishcloths that don’t involve dirty dishes!

Stain Remover

The best way to ensure your dishcloth is free of stains and odors is to wash it regularly. While many people opt for using their dishcloth only for washing dishes, there are tons of clever uses that can help you get more out of these handy cleaning tools. Here are a few tips on how you can make your dishcloths last longer and keep them smelling fresh! ​Mix lemon juice with water. This is an all-natural stain remover that doesn’t include any extra chemicals or additives. Just mix one part lemon juice with two parts water in a spray bottle! Spray on areas that need cleaning and scrub with your dishcloth before rinsing with warm water and hanging up to dry.

Dust Appliances

You probably use a dishcloth in your kitchen, but you may not realize how useful it can be outside of it. Rather than throwing them out when they get dirty, try dusting with them! There are plenty of other chores for which dishcloths make ideal tools—make sure you clean them well afterward so you don’t track any dirt back into your home. Dust Furniture Dusting is usually something that’s handled by professionals; however, if you’re looking to save some money and want to do things yourself, you should definitely invest in a good lint-free dishcloth and give your house and furniture an extra cleaning before guests arrive or on days when there’s no time for professional help. The gentle cloth will leave wood and metal surfaces shiny without scratching or leaving residue behind.

Scour Stainless Steel

When you’re in a hurry, stainless steel sinks can be tempting. They look clean and modern, but they require special care to maintain their shine. For example, you can use dish soap when washing dishes in your sink—but when using dishcloths on stainless steel, only use plain water so as not to scratch it.

 

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!