How long do you use your dish cloths an wash cloths?

[dyna]

Not between washings but do you replace them every few months once a year or when they wear out?

I've always been poor enough that I've pretty much had to use my dish cloths an wash cloths till they wore out. I do pretty much use them one day then throw them in the laundry. With dish cloths I usually use a very old cloth or paper towel when cleaning up anything greasy or very nasty, dishes are rinsed before using. Countertop is cleaned with vinegar an water an an old rag before dishcloth touches where meat has been etc.

DD says NO matter what all dish cloths an was cloths need to be replaced at least once a year. Of course she is also from the generation that uses baby wipes to clean babys bum after BM an I was from generation that baby wipes like throw away diapers was only for when out. At home it was cloth diapers an an old baby wash cloth had better ones for their little faces an baths.

 

[okeydokey]

We use them until they are no longer in good shape. I see no reason to throw out a perfectly good anything just because it's a year old.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Some of our dishcloths and washcloths date from before our marriage (20 years)! We use them until there's a hole (or two...), and then we use them for cleaning the floor or bathroom.

If you have a washing machine, there's no reason AT ALL to replace them annually.

ETA: We don't wash them daily, though -- we use them for a week or so. If you rinse them out after use, and then spread them out to dry rapidly, they don't start to stink for a while!

 

[RachaelA]

I'm 25 and I don't know a single person my age that throws out wash/dish cloths every year. You use them until they are old, holey, and gross. We are using the ones we got for our wedding shower almost 2 years ago and I'm sure we will be using them 20 years from now (we got a lot! )

(And I don't believe in disposable diapers and wipes. I think they are bad for the environment and unnecessary. When I have children, they'll be in cloth diapers and we'll use reusable wipes.)

The younger generation is more wasteful then the older generations with a lot of things, but I wouldn't say its with wash/dish cloths...

 

[karemore]

We use wash clothes that are probably 20 years old. We have some that came from Germany that are even older than that. They are mixed right in with the newer ones (that are at least 8 years old!) Eventually they will make it into the rag bin for cleaning, but as long as they don't have holes I don't see any reason to stop using them.

Dish clothes get much more action and more grime because I usually end up cleaning the counter/stove with one at the end of the day before tossing it into the wash. They get downgraded to rags after a year or two simply because they wear out/get dingy sooner. I don't use the calendar to determine when to replace, I base it on how dingy or worn out something becomes.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

What magically happens on day 366 that makes them no longer usable?

We use them til they are too holey and then they are delegated to the rag bag for use in the garage.

 

[mamaLori05]

I'm 30 and have never heard of throwing out wash cloths/dish towels at one year. We are using the same ones we got 8 years ago at our wedding. I also wash them after every use. If they get stained, look old, get holes, etc... then I retire them to my cleaning rags.

 

[mrspaha]

I keep them until they are literally falling apart. When they get to the somewhat holey and raggedy state, I put them aside in the bathroom and use them w/almost straight bleach to set into the corners of the bathtub where the caulk is getting blackish -- after setting there with the strong bleach solution they're ready for the garbage. I would say overall that my dishrags last several years, maybe around 5 years. I do have several at various stages of use.

 

[Melindarella]

LOL - I have some wash cloths and dish towels that are so tattered and frayed that I have to use scissors to trim the fringe that now hangs from the edges.

They are washed regularly, and I have a feeling that eventually they are going to disintegrate in the washing machine, but I just can't see throwing them away when they still serve a purpose.

 

[leight]

very timely thread- I just said to dh that since he just got a new tv because its tax time that I want to replace the dish towels! Actually he was able to get the new tv because the one upstairs in the kids' tv room is on its way out-its nearly 18yrs old so we moved our bedroom tv up there and upgraded to an LED HDTV. Gotta admit the quality is amazing!

But most of my dish towels have holes simply because my 2 yr old golden would counter surf and grab them. Half the time they weren't out of the cabinet more than 10mins before they were in the wash. SHe's just getting away from this so its time to replace them. I can't wait-it is so embarrassing to have them so horrible when guest saw them but it didn't make sense until she outgrew this phase. We can also now paint the kitchen and hang window treatments (she was locked in the kitchen during the day with babygates) so I can buy new dishtowels that coordinate! I'll probably save alot on paper towels too since very often I used them to dry dishes.

 

[MissBritt]

I'm 25 and I use dish rags until they are paper thin or look like swiss cheese and washcloths until they are stained or torn.

 

[juliebean]

I don't believe there is any reason for throwing out dishcloths after a year either...

I am taking microbiology right now though - and you would not believe what is growing on sponges and dishcloths... We all cultured our kitchen sponge from home - no more sponges for me... They should really be only used for a few hours and then go into the laundry to be cleaned with bleach and hot water. If you cannot do this, microwaving a wet cloth/sponge can also kill bacteria - but be very careful - can go very badly if not wet enough! Once bacteria from food, countertops, air or sink are on a wet, porous surface like a rag or sponge, it immediately begins to have multiplying bacterial populations. I just get a new one out in the morning, at lunch and another before dinner. They are so small it doesn't really make a difference in the amount of laundry in a week.

 

[scard192]

I use both until they look ratty and then they become cleaning rags until they fall apart. I never buy paper towels for cleaning, just use my old washcloths and dish cloths.

 

[dfchelbay]

I'm 25 and I don't know a single person my age that throws out wash/dish cloths every year. You use them until they are old, holey, and gross. We are using the ones we got for our wedding shower almost 2 years ago and I'm sure we will be using them 20 years from now (we got a lot! )

(And I don't believe in disposable diapers and wipes. I think they are bad for the environment and unnecessary. When I have children, they'll be in cloth diapers and we'll use reusable wipes.)

The younger generation is more wasteful then the older generations with a lot of things, but I wouldn't say its with wash/dish cloths...

It's so nice to see someone your age that thinks this way...so refreshing. Wish more of the youngsters felt like this.

 

[Marionnette]

Old dish clothes and towels become my cleaning rags when they outlive their purpose in the kitchen. I also keep a pile of old bath towels for drying the dogs off when the weather is nasty.

Even if I can't use them, I don't throw them away. A lot of animal shelters can use the old towels for cleaning the crates or making bedding.

 

[IUTBAM]

We have categories :

Bathroom washclothes - washed after each use (obviously), and replaced when they start feeling "thin" (gotta have a nice washcloth when taking a shower, KWIM?). I just bought a bunch of new bathroom washcloths from Kohl's (12 for $3.99, plus 30% off), so I took all my old bathroom washclothes to the kitchen for use.

Kitchen washcloths - We get out a new kitchen washcloth every day. If I am working with raw meat and clean up with it, and I toss it in the wash and get a new one out right away. Otherwise, we get a clean one out each morning. I leave the old one draped over my sink at the end of thet day, and when I pick it up the next morning, it's dry, but it's stiff and doesn't smell fresh, so I would not want to use it again. I only replace them when they are falling apart, and (as noted above), I use thin bathroom washclothes as kitchen washclothes until they are falling apart.

Kitchen "cup towels" (that's what my mom called them) - Get a new one out each day, and I am currently using cup towels that are anywhere from 4-6 years old. I don't buy new ones until I have no old ones left, and I toss them when they are falliing apart.

Oh, and I'm 48, lol.

 

[Leshaface]

I'm 25 and I don't know a single person my age that throws out wash/dish cloths every year. You use them until they are old, holey, and gross. We are using the ones we got for our wedding shower almost 2 years ago and I'm sure we will be using them 20 years from now (we got a lot! )

(And I don't believe in disposable diapers and wipes. I think they are bad for the environment and unnecessary. When I have children, they'll be in cloth diapers and we'll use reusable wipes.)

The younger generation is more wasteful then the older generations with a lot of things, but I wouldn't say its with wash/dish cloths...

I'm in completely agree!

We got some dishclothes from our wedding shower too (5 years ago) and am STILL using them! Nothing gets tossed until they are completely unusable.

We are soooo alike! I want to use cloth diapers on my children (whenever that will be ) but DH hates the idea...so as soon as I convince him we'll save money and be eco friendly he'll give in!

 

[dyna]

I thought DD was just lookin for another way to waste money by replacing wash cloths an dish cloths annually. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

My old ones end up being cleaning cloths too pretty much works for whole house.

 

[MissBritt]

If she's intent on tossing hers annually, tell her to toss them your way... they'll be like new!

 

[RachaelA]

I'm in completely agree!

We got some dishclothes from our wedding shower too (5 years ago) and am STILL using them! Nothing gets tossed until they are completely unusable.

We are soooo alike! I want to use cloth diapers on my children (whenever that will be ) but DH hates the idea...so as soon as I convince him we'll save money and be eco friendly he'll give in!

He'll have to give in when he sees how much money you'll save! Plus cloth diapers are super cute (as well as being great for the environment!)!