We Compared Microfiber Cloths to Swedish Dishcloths in an Epic Cleaning Showdown

Swedish dishcloths are made of a blend of cellulose (the kind that makes up a sponge) and cotton. According to Wettex, a brand that makes Swedish dishcloths, they were created in the 1950s, when an engineer named Curt Lindquist flattened a sponge in a meat grinder before mixing it with cotton. Swedish dishcloths are firm when you first get them, like a sponge; they must be wet to use like a paper towel or microfiber cloth, and remain stiff and textured when dry. Swedish dishcloths can be washed in the dishwasher or laundered in a washing machine. One Swedish dishcloth typically lasts a couple of months with proper care.

Microfiber cloths are made of very small synthetic fibers that are 200 times smaller than a human hair. This tiny size makes them more absorbent and effective at removing germs. And that sticky quality that makes the microfiber cling to my dry fingers? That actually means the microfiber is good quality. Microfiber cloths are positively charged, just like how your hair is positively charged when you rub a balloon on it, so they are adept at attracting negatively charged dust and other particles. Ideally, you’ll launder microfiber cloths separately from the rest of your laundry, as that positive charge will attract dust, lint, and hair to your microfiber cloths. They should last a year or two with proper care. Oh, and P.S., if you have a dusty computer screen, smudged TV, or dirty glasses, a microfiber cloth is a great tool for getting them clean (no spray required).

I performed four tests comparing two brands of Swedish dishcloths to two brands of microfiber cloths. I chose two types of each to ensure that results were at least somewhat comparable across the product category rather than particular to a brand. I used microfiber cloths from Mr. Siga and Fixsmith and Swedish dishcloths from Superscandi and Swedish Wholesale. I wet each Swedish dishcloth and wrung it out so that it was damp before use, as instructed on the packaging.

In the first test, I dipped my fingers in canola oil and rubbed my oily fingers on four panes of the window of my backdoor. I sprayed one pane with two sprays of Windex, then cleaned a single pane. I repeated this four times—one for each cloth.

In the second test, I used painter’s tape to separate my front stormdoor, which is a single pane of glass, into four segments. I did this on the front and the back of the glass. I then sprayed with Windex before cleaning with fresh cloths. This was a very, very dusty door because—to be honest, and I’m sorry—I haven’t cleaned it since our home renovation finished in late spring 2023. The interior was also smeared with my toddler’s drool, as he has recently become obsessed with pressing his face to the glass and making out with his reflection.

In the third test, I separated my gray quartz countertop into four quadrants before smearing each with oil. I sprayed one quadrant with two sprays of Method All-Purpose Cleaner, then wiped with a cloth. 

In the fourth test, I squirted sugary, vinegar-based sriracha on each quadrant, sprayed with Method, and wiped clean. 

In the window tests, the winner was clearly, without contest, microfiber cloths. The damp Swedish dishcloths left water spots and streaks on the glass. The effect was less obvious on my gray quartz countertops, but if I looked closely (as I imagine my husband doing after I’ve cleaned the kitchen with paper towels), I could see streaks from both types of cloths, although I really, really had to squint to see streaks from the microfiber. Both the microfiber and the Swedish dishcloths performed well at absorbing the sriracha. 

If you, like me, would primarily use microfiber or Swedish dishcloths for cleaning surfaces like countertops, mirrors, and windows, microfiber is the evident winner, at least so far as it comes to cleaning. 

Angela: 0. Husband: 1. I will attempt to pivot to microfiber once I’ve finished with the mega package of paper towels in my basement.