My Favorite Cleaning Cloths
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When this post was first written several years ago, I had a favorite set of cleaning cloths that were a bit unusual but worked really well. I was using cloth diapers! They were absorbent and a nice size for cleaning. I first read about them in a book called Speed Cleaning (first published in 1991 and updated in 2005) and that convinced me to give the cloth diapers a try. I stuck with them for quite a few years and they truly lasted a long time.
But after a while they did start showing some wear and tear. I didn’t really mind that they were a little dingy looking (as in the picture below from when I first shared this idea), but they also started getting holes and were pretty raggedy in general so I decided to make a change.
Instead of buying new diapers, I decided to sew my own new set of cleaning cloths. They were a success and I’ve been using them happily for several years now and they’re still going strong!
There’s no need to stress about sewing these homemade cleaning cloths either. You’re only going to use them for cleaning dirty things so they don’t have to be perfect. I made mine from terry cloth in a 12″x15″ size which has worked out great. You might find that they become just a little lumpier after a few years of going through the wash, but that’s really no problem at all and they clean just as well as ever.
So if you’re enjoying using homemade cleaners, you just might be the type of person who will like to make and use these homemade cleaning cloths too. You can find the complete instructions here: How To Sew Your Own Cleaning Cloths.
And if you’re not a sewer, you could try the diaper cleaning cloth strategy instead. My experience was that they worked great and held up well for several years. If you can’t find cloth cloth diapers at your local store, you can order something like this 10 pack of cloth diapers from Amazon.
Thank you. I’m going to order a package, but I would appreciate hearing all the ways you use diaper cloths to clean, and how you wash them. For instance, do you use them for dusting with oil-based furniture cleaners? If so, how do you clean them?
Because I use my homemade cleaners for so much of my cleaning, this type of cleaning cloth could always just be tossed in my washer and dryer. If I was ever using some questionable/oily cleaner, I would usually then just use paper toweling.
Hi Bev,
My favorite cleaning cloths are my husband’s worn t-shirts (white undershirts). I cut them up into smaller pieces–sleeves each in one piece; front and back sections into 2 each–and use them over and over. They wash well and are very soft. The sleeve sections make great applicator cloths. No problems with unraveling or fraying. Love ’em!
Norma
I’ve used worn t-shirts too, and you’re right! They’re soft and can be used on almost any surface – and they’re free!
Hi Again,
I was wondering where you could direct me to purchasing some cloth baby diapers…. 🙂
Thanks!
I don’t know if you are near a Walmart (most of us are nowdays), but you should be able to buy them there. They are not on the aisle with the disposable diapers however. They are usually on the aisle with the baby receiving blankets and onsies and things like that. Gerber makes a 10 pack of cloth diapers which Walmart sells for about $12. Some of the other stores like Target might have them too. You usually have to keep looking around the baby department by some of the other baby products.
You should also be able to buy cloth diapers on Amazon if you can’t locate them at any stores near you.
Diapers are great, I agree! I am currently loving my rags made out of an old flannel sheet.
As a "professional" who runs a cleaning service I agree! Diapers are the cloth of choice for MANY jobs.I do use microfiber and yes, they require special care and detergent. Since it is how I make a living I think they are worth the trouble but for a single family home…not so much.As always, love your post!
I wasn't surprised at all when you said cloth diapers! They get used at our house too 🙂