Clean your home, yourself and your conscience!
Welcome to The Thing in the Square
Swedish Dishcloth Range
What is a Swedish dishcloth?
In 1949, the Swedish engineer Curt Linquist wanted to create a dishcloth that dried quickly but was very absorbent like a sponge. He put a sponge in a meat grinder, flattened it out and mixed it with cotton.
The newly developed cloth or ‘Swedish dishcloth’ (as it is commonly known) was the perfect blend of a sponge and a paper towel. It soon became the essential multi-purpose cleaning cloth in Sweden, as it was a durable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional cleaning cloths.
These compostable cloths are taken for granted in Sweden as a natural part of everyday life and have been used in virtually every Swedish home for over 70 years.
Cloth Benefits
Our cloths are made from 70% cellulose from FSC-certified forest,
30% waste cotton and water-based, eco-friendly inks.
By choosing one of our compostable cloths you’re helping to:
1. Reduce the amount of plastic waste going to landfill
2. Prevent microplastics and microfibres polluting waterways and oceans
3. Promote the use of biodegradable, plant-based, sustainable materials
4. Save money by using durable, reusable, washable cloths
5. Reduce your environmental impact
6. Keep your home cleaner by using a cloth that is naturally anti-bacterial
7. Encourage others to make eco-friendly swaps
And who knows, maybe the unique design on your cloth might even encourage unwilling members of your household to do a bit of cleaning?!
Cloth Uses
One cloth - endless uses!
KITCHEN - washing dishes, mopping up spills, wiping down surfaces and cabinets, cleaning kitchen appliances, under a mixing bowl (to create slip resistance and catch any spills).
BATHROOM - mirrors, shower doors, sink areas, fixtures, wall and floor tiles, showering and bathing, wiping sticky fingers and faces, removing make-up.
GENERAL CLEANING - damp dusting, wiping up pet hairs on soft furnishings, cleaning doors, washing windows and mirrors, cleaning stairs and banisters.
SPORTS - cleaning sports equipment, drying wet bicycle seats (tuck in under saddle once dry), hiking (great for drying picnic tables), wiping dog paws, camping trips.
CAR - quickly remove dust, dirt and smudges from your car’s interior surfaces, cleaning windows, gently scrub away bugs or bird droppings from your car exterior.
OUTDOOR - garden furniture, BBQ areas.
OFFICE - wipe down your desk, computer and surfaces.
Cloth Care
Our cloths last between 6 - 12 months, often longer, depending on use.
WASHING OPTIONS
1. Washing machine - wash at 30°C or 40°C to save energy. Cloths can be safely washed up to 90°C.
2. Dishwasher - place your cloth on the top rack and wash with the rest of your dishes.
3. Boil - carefully submerge your cloth in a pot of boiling water and leave for about 5 minutes. Drain the water and catch your hot cloth in a colander. Rinse the cloth with cold water so it is cold enough to wring out.
DRYING OPTIONS
1. Hang up to dry or over the tap.
2. Lay flat on the draining board, in a sunny spot or over your dish drying rack.
CARE TIPS
1. Rinse well, wring out and air dry between uses.
2. Use vinegar and water to help remove stains.
3. Using bleach may affect the printed designs
4. Be careful cleaning cheese graters or other sharp items - they may tear the cloth.
5. Avoid tumble drying as it can damage the natural fibres.
Customer Reviews
Took some away on a recent holiday in our campervan. I used one for general cleaning up in the van and another one for showering. They dried so quickly after use, felt really nice to the touch and were super absorbent. Love the designs and bonus that they're also compostable!
Took some away on a recent holiday in our campervan. I used one for general cleaning up in the van and another one for showering. They dried so quickly after use, felt really nice to the touch and were super absorbent. Love the designs and bonus that they're also compostable!
I can honestly say that these cloths are the best I have ever had. I use them to clean surfaces in the kitchen, and they clean even the toughest greasy stains. With other cloths, they spread the grease around. These clean incredibly well!
I can honestly say that these cloths are the best I have ever had. I use them to clean surfaces in the kitchen, and they clean even the toughest greasy stains. With other cloths, they spread the grease around. These clean incredibly well!
I'm so impressed with my new cloths. They're the perfect size! I always find supermarket ones too big. These are much easier to use. I love them!
I'm so impressed with my new cloths. They're the perfect size! I always find supermarket ones too big. These are much easier to use. I love them!
Delivery & Returns
Useful information about delivery and returns
DELIVERY
- Orders are shipped with An Post.
- Delivery times vary depending on your delivery address and the time of the day you place your order.
- We are currently only shipping within Ireland but please contact us, if you're interested in shipping outside of Ireland.
- For shipping slightly larger orders, we like to reuse packaging whenever possible.
RETURNS/REPLACEMENTS
- We hope that you love your new dishcloth! If not, we can offer a full refund or exchange, as long as it is returned to us undamaged, in its original condition and within 14 days of receiving your order.
- Please note, that postage costs cannot be refunded. We would recommend that you get a proof of postage receipt for any items which you post back to us. A refund can only be issued once we have received the returned item, in a resaleable condition.
- To make a return, please email us at info@thethinginthesquare.ie
- To request a replacement, please email detailed photos of the damaged product to info@thethinginthesquare.ie
About Us
Clean your home, yourself and your conscience!
We are a small business based in Kildare and have always loved design, colour, patterns and homewares. From modern pieces to vintage finds, we just love browsing homewares, flea markets and charity shops.
Inspired by a trip to Germany (too many years ago!), where we were introduced to reusable cotton bags and household recycling, we have always made a conscious effort to be environmentally responsible.
We grew up using Swedish dishcloths for cleaning up around the house. Little did we know then, that we would end up combining our interest in homewares and the environment, by getting our designs printed on these versatile cleaning cloths.
One important thing to know about Swedish dishcloths is that they’re not just for dishes! From cleaning kitchen counters to dusty plants (and yes, even humans!), these cloths are the ultimate household essential. Plus, they're made from 100% biodegradable and sustainable materials, meaning they can be composted at home after use, leaving no trace behind.
In a world inundated with plastic-based cleaning products, making the switch to our biodegradable, colourful cloths is a great way to help minimise the pollution of our waterways with microplastics and clean your conscience, as well as your home!
Contact Us
Our online business is based in Kildare. We also have some local stockists. If you have any queries, please contact us at the email address below.
Contact Info