The manufacturing of Swedish dishcloths also requires energy, although the cloths are more durable. Traditionally, they’re made of a combination of cellulose—the cell wall of plants (including trees)—and cotton, according to Jenna Davis, director of brand marketing for If You Care. They’re about half the size of a paper towel sheet, and they initially feel soft and squishy, like a sponge. Once washed, they stiffen up a bit but remain flexible. Each one is about as thick as a loose stack of six paper towels and has ridged patterns embedded in the material for scrubbing power. This kind of cloth was invented by Swedish engineer Curt Lindquist in 1949, which is how they came to be known as Swedish dishcloths, according to Wettex.
