Swedish dishcloths are 100% biodegradable, made entirely from natural materials: 70% cellulose from well managed forests and 30% cotton from textile industry byproducts. When they reach the end of their useful life, they decompose naturally in compost. No microplastics, no synthetic waste — just a return to the soil.
What Makes a Dishcloth Biodegradable?
A biodegradable dishcloth is one that decomposes naturally through biological processes without leaving synthetic residue. The Swedish dishcloth meets this criteria completely because of its composition:
- Cellulose (70%): Derived from wood waste from well managed forests. The wood is converted into cellulose at a pulp factory, then transformed into viscose at the dishcloth factory.
- Cotton (30%): Sourced from textile industry byproducts — repurposing waste material that would otherwise be discarded.
Both materials are organic and return to the earth through composting. This has been the case since 1949, when civil engineer Curt Lindquist invented the Swedish dishcloth in Norrkoping, Sweden.
There are only two factories in the world that manufacture the Swedish dishcloth — one in Sweden and one in Germany.
The Closed Ecological Cycle
The Swedish dishcloth is part of a closed ecological cycle that begins and ends with nature:
1. Well managed forest provides the wood waste
2. Pulp factory converts wood into cellulose
3. Dishcloth factory transforms cellulose into viscose, mixes with cotton, creates the cloth 4. Printing with water based colours — at TekoTryck, we use water-based colours blended in our own colour lab 5. Use and reuse — the cloth absorbs up to 15 times its own weight, is machine washable at 100 degrees Celsius 6. Composting — at end of life, the cloth decomposes naturally in compost
From forest to soil. The circle is closed.
Why Biodegradable Matters: Swedish Dishcloths vs Synthetic Alternatives
| Feature | Swedish Dishcloth | Synthetic Sponge/Cloth |
|---|---|---|
| Material origin | Well managed forest + cotton waste | Petroleum-based plastics |
| Biodegradable | 100% | No (or centuries) |
| Compostable | Yes | No |
| Microplastic release | None | Yes, during washing |
| End of life | Compost | Landfill |
| Absorption | 15 times its weight | Varies |
| Washable | 100 degrees C | Limited |
| Renewable material | Yes | No |
Multiple Uses, Extended Life
The biodegradable nature of Swedish dishcloths does not mean they are fragile. Before composting, a single dishcloth serves many purposes:
- Kitchen and bathroom surface cleaning
- Absorbing spills (up to 15 times its weight)
- Wiping dirty pet paws
- Cleaning bicycle seats
- Caring for houseplants
- Growing cress (as a growing medium)
- Wiping outdoor clothing instead of machine washing
Machine washable at up to 95 °C and suitable for boiling, the dishcloth can be reused many times throughout its lifespan.
About TekoTryck
TekoTryck AB was founded in 1984 in Solvesborg, Sweden. In 1994, we became the first company in the world to screen-print designs on Swedish dishcloths. Today, led by CEO Johanna Olofsson, we deliver to over 800 customers in more than 70 countries from our 2,450-square-metre facility equipped with five fully automated printing machines.
We have printed more than 15,000 unique artworks on dishcloths and have been recognised with the Di Gasell 2023 award from Dagens Industri for being among Sweden’s fastest-growing companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Swedish dishcloths biodegradable?
Yes, 100%. They are made from 70% cellulose from well managed forests and 30% cotton from textile industry byproducts. Both materials decompose naturally in compost.
Do Swedish dishcloths release microplastics?
No. Swedish dishcloths are made entirely from natural materials (cellulose and cotton) and do not release microplastics during washing or use.
How do you compost a Swedish dishcloth?
Simply place the used dishcloth in your compost. Being made from natural materials, it will decompose naturally.
Where are biodegradable Swedish dishcloths manufactured?
The base cloth is produced in Sweden and Germany. At TekoTryck in Solvesborg, Sweden, we print designs using water-based colours.
How many times can a Swedish dishcloth be reused?
Many times. The cloth is machine washable at up to 95 °C and suitable for boiling, allowing repeated use before composting.
