The $2 Cleaning Tool Paper Towel Addicts Need to Try

Many of us strive to reduce our use of cleaning products that end up in the garbage can and sometimes seem to soak up more money than filth. But paper towels are hard to give up. They’re cheap, they’re absorbent, and — as much as we despise the waste of one-use disposables — paper towels don’t sit around wet and growing bacteria. But there is one cleaning tool that could entice even die-hard paper towel lovers to reach for something else instead.

Sponge cloths are made of a biodegradable and durable mixture of cellulose, cotton, and mirabilite — a mineral salt that is washed out during the manufacturing process. The resulting cloth is extremely absorbent and so, so strong. It can absorb 20 times its weight in liquid, but easily wrings nearly bone dry, minimizing bacteria and mildew growth. And it’s machine-washable up to 300 times — which means that a single sponge cloth can replace up to 15 rolls of paper towels.

Sponge cloths can be used all over the home, including on sinks, stainless steel appliances, granite, glass, mirrors, TVs, computer screens, shower doors, bathtubs, natural stone, toilets, faucets and other fixtures, and more. They pick up hair and makeup as well as other dirt, dust, and grime. Sponge cloths can be used on all sorts of surfaces — including natural stone and glass — without leaving any scratches.

You can use pretty much any cleaning product with a sponge cloth, including dish soap, disinfectant, or your favorite household cleaner.

To keep your sponge cloth clean, microwave it for 30 seconds to sterilize it, or toss it in the top rack of the dishwasher or in the washing machine.

Among many happy customers who feel as if they’ve hit rag/cleaning cloth gold, some thrilled Amazon sponge cloth owners have this to say:

“I am a perpetual user of paper towels, especially in the kitchen. I have had the same roll of paper towel in the kitchen for over a week now. This is unheard of. This product does exactly what it says it will … I do not believe I have bought another product from Amazon that I have been as pleased with. It is the perfect size, it is highly absorbent, it cleans up spills, I can then rinse it out and it has no order or smell like a used sponge or kitchen cloth. It has saved me from buying additional rolls of paper towels. This product is truly amazing.” — kboogie

“Perfect product for every clean home! If you are a cleaning freak, this product is just right for your counters.” — Y@$H

“It sure is magic, no smell! this is the best sponge and paper towel replacement. i like it so much send it to my kids too.” — Judy J. Yellukapally

Would you stretch your paper towel roll even further by giving these a whirl? I just one-clicked them myself.

This post was updated on February 14, 2019.