Replacing Paper Towels with Crocheted Dishcloths
We have been working on eliminating the need for certain paper products from our home. We have stopped buying paper napkins and now use cloth napkins. We are also trying to stop using paper towels. I used to use paper towels for cleaning, washing dishes and wiping up spills.
It was easy to quit using paper towels for cleaning. We just started using rags instead. I even use rags for cleaning mirrors and glass and it works just fine. Switching to rags to wipe up spills was also an easy switch.
It was harder to switch for washing dishes. I like to use a fresh cloth every time I wash dishes and paper towels seemed like the easiest way to do this since I didn’t have very many dishcloths. But then I realized, it is cheaper to make or buy some new dishcloths than it is to keep buying paper towels! Why didn’t I realize that earlier?! Anyway, I found a small ball of yarn in my yarn stash and started double crocheting a new dishcloth.
It works really well! I simply wash after one use so I don’t have to worry about germs growing on it. I am looking forward to making some more. It is a great little project to work on while helping the kids with school. Now, if I could just figure out a sanitary replacement for dixie cups in the kid’s bathroom!
Reader Comments
I have a few dishclothes that I’ve crocheted and have discovered that the ones I made out of natural fibers (cotton, mostly) work much better. I have one I made out of acrylic yarn and it immediately stretched all out of shape. I found a cotton sweater at goodwill last week and I’m going to try my hand at unraveling it and remaking it into crochet dish clothes.
I love this post because I have been trying to solve this same problem myself. We use cloth napkins now for both our faces and all the spills. (But they are store bought and not very absorbent) And I also use rags for cleaning everything else. My problem is that I like to have fresh sponges. I am trying to cut back on my dollar a week habit but can’t find a substitute I am happy with. I have some of these same crocheted wash clothes that my mom made for me, but they stretch out and ‘just aren’t the same.’ I am glad its working for you and that atleast one other person in the world faces the same dilemmas as me
I love your blog and website! God Bless! ~Christie