Eco-friendly cloths made of microfiber can help you use fewer chemicals for cleaning, but they’re not degradable. Other cloths are compostable but not very durable. Which eco-friendly cloth is best for you?
Read next: How to recognize eco-friendly cleaning products?
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In This Article:
Microfiber cloths
Microfiber is a type of fabric with fibers thinner than a human hair. The fibers are usually made of nylon polyesters, a non-degradable material. The fact that they are so thin enables them to get a hold on tiny-tiny pieces of dust and germs without using any cleaners, just water. Microfiber rags do great as eco-friendly bathroom cloth or as an alternative to paper towels.
Pros
🟢 Good cleaners, people love them
🟢 Reusable
🟢 Very durable
🟢 Cuts down on chemicals
🟢 Laundry machine safe
🟢 Safe for human skin
Cons
🟠 Non-biodegradable
🟠 Not made of renewable resource
🟠 Doesn’t have a clear recycling process
Conclusion: Generally speaking, we recommend out readers choosing non-degradable-reusable products over disposable-compostable products (Here’s why). Adding to that the fact that microfiber cuts down on contaminating chemicals use, we consider microfiber towels as great eco-friendly cloths alternative for cleaning.
Read next: Nano-towels microfiber cloths 2020 review
Swedish dishcloth
Swedish dishcloth, also known as Swedish sponge, cloths are very common in Scandinavian households. They are made from trees cellulose, a renewable source, plus they are toxin-free and reusable. They are very durable, compostable and can be washed either in a washing machine.
Pros
🟢 Made from a renewable source
🟢 Toxin-free
🟢 Washing machine safe
🟢 Compostable
Cons
🟠 Not durable as regular fibers
🟠 Can get pretty stiff when dry
🟠 Requires chemicals for cleaning
🟠 Reusable, but not for years
Conclusion: The Swedish dishcloth is a great solution and we really love recommending them. Their eco-friendliness can’t be argued as they are renewable and compostable, making the full cycle. If you are fine with getting a new cloth every few months you should definitely give them a try.
Bamboo eco-friendly cloths
Products made of bamboo are really popular lately, as consumers perceive them to be very eco-friendly, and for a good reason. Bamboo is a plant that grows fast (some say the fastest) and requires very little water, pesticides and fertilizers to grow. Cotton, for example, requires immense anoints of water to produce and to manufacture.
After the bamboo is collected it can transform into the bamboo-fabric using either a mechanical process or a chemical process. The chemical process, that is more broadly used, is a non-eco-friendly process that requires contaminating materials (Read more here).
Other than that people seem pretty happy with their bamboo cloths. They say it feels a little softer than cotton cloths, can absorb more water and drys faster. It’s a reusable and durable material. Unlike the microfibers, It still requires chemicals to get a surface clean.
Pros
🟢 Bamboo is a very renewable source
🟢 Reusable and durable
🟢 Drys fast
🟢 Absorb a lot of water
Cons
🟠 Contaminating Manufacturing process
🟠 Shrinks in the washing machine
🟠 Requires chemicals for cleaning
Conclusion: I would say Bamboo cloths are like the closest eco-friendly alternative to cotton cloths. You will still need to use cleaners but at least you know the process of growing the bamboo was more eco-friendly than cotton.
