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

My husband is a fervent hater of paper towels, less because they’re bad for the environment than because he believes they leave streaks when I use them to clean countertops. His apparently steak-free solution? Microfiber cloths. These synthetic rags spill from my kitchen towel drawer in a neon-colored wave and unpleasantly cling to my frequently dry fingertips. As much as my husband despises paper towels, I feel the same about microfiber cloths, and yet I feel determined, for the sake of my conscience, at least, to put aside the paper towels in lieu of a slightly more sustainable alternative. 

Could Swedish dishcloths be the answer to this marital beef? I decided to put it to the test. Read on to learn if I’ve convinced my husband to ditch his fervent love affair with microfiber—or if I must get over the sensory displeasure I experience using microfiber and admit they’re all-in-all the better cleaning tool.