The Best Dish Cloths for Every Kitchen (and Budget!)

Hate fingerprints or hard water spots showing up on your freshly washed glasses? Snag this set of cleaning pads ASAP. “The best part? These things can go right in the washer,” contributor Stella writes. “That means I never have to worry about mysterious bacteria brewing in their spongy interior or accidental food stains soaking into the microfiber.”

Swedish dish cloths seem to have exploded onto the kitchen scene in the past few years, and for good reason: They’re perfect for wiping down any surface. “Sustainability and durability aside, the dishcloths are also a major bang for your buck,” contributor Sholeen writes. “Once they smell a bit funky, you can toss them in the dishwasher or washing machine, and they’re ready for round two! (No more wasting money replacing paper towels or sponges every month.)”

You can’t beat the cuteness factor of these absorbent Swedish dish cloths, which come in a variety of fun prints. “Watching them come to life is almost like a magic trick,” former Groceries Editor Lauren Masur writes. “Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to clean. Just throw them in the dishwasher or in the washing machine and they’ll be good as new again.”

These Swish Cloths are good for up to six months of use, then all you have to do is toss them in the compost. “Made with 30 percent cotton fibers and 70 percent cellulose fibers, these swish cloths claim to wick up 20 times their weight in liquids — and they definitely delivered,” contributor L. Daniela writes. “Using a damp microfiber cloth might require up to three wipes to clear away any residual cleaner or soap suds, but these swish cloths did the job with just one wipe.”

These 100% cotton waffle weave dish cloths are the perfect, no-nonsense addition to your kitchen. They’re understated workhorses that’ll pay for themselves in saved paper towels in no time. “Buying these waffle weave dish cloths is a no-brainer,” Nikol writes. “The only hard decision you’ll have to make is which of the 15 cute color options you like the most.”

For tea towel lovers, you can’t go wrong with this Etsy find. The towels are made with a special weave pattern for superior absorbency and durability, and they’re gorgeous, to boot. “Their material isn’t particularly thick or plush, but rather lightweight and ultra-absorbent,” Nikol writes. “These dishrags might be pretty, but that doesn’t mean they’re impractical.”

If you’re looking for fashion-meets-function, look no further than these printed towels from Geometry. “I’m no longer worried about my kitchen storage being used up by bulky linens,” Best List Editor Britt writes. “Even after washing them on laundry day, the towels retained their shape, color, and feel — unlike similar towels I’ve used in the past. They look great, dry quickly, and don’t take up a ton of room.”

For something that's just as stylish as it is durable, these Coyuchi waffle towels are perfect. "The first time you use and wash these towels, this smooth weave design 'puckers' into a tight, high-performance waffle texture that absorbs water better than most other kitchen towels out there," Sarah wrote after trying them. "Essentially, these towels gain sponge-like absorbency, minus the drips that come with a regular kitchen sponge." And although the towels might seem pricey at first glance, keep in mind that you actually get six towels in one set.