The Swedish dishcloth was invented in 1949 by civil engineer Curt Lindquist in Norrköping, Sweden. Today it is exported to more than 70 countries. Here is the story of how a simple kitchen cloth became a global product — and how it gained a face through screen printing.
1949: The Invention
Curt Lindquist, a civil engineer in Norrköping, was frustrated with cloths that failed to wipe surfaces dry. Using a meat grinder, he pressed cellulose, cotton and salt into a sheet that finally met his expectations. The Swedish dishcloth was born.
The material composition he established remains the standard: 70% cellulose and 30% cotton, making the cloth 100% biodegradable.
The 1950s: Two Factories, One Product
In the mid-1950s, a German manufacturer was granted a licence from Sweden to produce dishcloths. Since then, there have been only two companies in the entire world manufacturing the Swedish dishcloth — one in Sweden and one in Germany.
You can identify the origin by looking at the back of the cloth: a diamond pattern indicates German production, while a smooth back indicates Swedish production.
1984: TekoTryck Is Founded
TekoTryck AB was founded in 1984 in Sölvesborg, in the Blekinge region of Sweden. The company focused on screen printing from the start.
1994: The Dishcloth Gets a Face
In the mid-1990s, TekoTryck became the first company in the world to introduce design and profile printing on Swedish dishcloths. The first designs were printed for designer Anna Petermann, followed by Lena M Karlsson. Nisse at TekoTryck recognised the potential and went all in.
This moment transformed the dishcloth from a utilitarian household product into a design surface and message carrier.
2000-2005: Going Global
In 2000, TekoTryck launched the Japan Concept, connecting its Japan-based customer with Scandinavian designers. This laid the foundation for international collaborations.
In 2005, the first dishcloth delivery to the USA was shipped. Together with customers, TekoTryck introduced the product to North America under the phrase “The Swedish Dishcloth.” Millions of printed dishcloths have been delivered to North America since.
2018-2020: New Leadership, New Focus
In 2018, Johanna Olofsson became CEO of TekoTryck. She is the daughter of owner Nils Persson, who had owned 100% of the company since 2013.
In 2020, the company made a strategic shift: bath towels were replaced entirely by dishcloths. Since 1985, TekoTryck had printed bath towels, table runners and large formats. But with dishcloth demand rising significantly, the company invested in new dishcloth printing machines and an oven, while the oldest machinery was retired.
2021-2024: Recognition and Milestones
2021: TekoTryck won Best Blekinge Company at the regional government’s Guldeken Gala.
2022: During the Solvesborg city festival Killebom, TekoTryck organised the world’s first and largest dishcloth exhibition. By then, the company had printed more than 15,000 unique designs on dishcloths. That same year, 96,000 dishcloths were sold in 30 minutes on South Korean TV Shop.
2023: TekoTryck received the Di Gasell award from Dagens Industri, recognising it as one of Sweden’s fastest-growing companies. CEO Johanna Olofsson stated: “The Gasell award means a lot to us. It is a confirmation that we are a stable and expansive company that delivers good results with high continuity.”
2024: The company celebrated its 40th anniversary and received an AAA credit rating — the highest rating for 15 consecutive years (2009-2024). Only 2,481 out of 681,879 Swedish limited companies share this distinction.
Today: The Dishcloth Around the World
TekoTryck now delivers to over 800 customers in more than 70 countries, from a 2,450-square-metre facility in Solvesborg equipped with five fully automated printing Machines and two digital Printing machines. The company uses water-based colours blended in its own colour lab, and prints on Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified materials.
The company exhibits regularly at Ambiente in Frankfurt, PSI in Dusseldorf and The Supplierdays in the Netherlands.
In October 2025, TekoTryck and CEO Johanna Olofsson were featured on the front page of Dagens Industri in an article about exports and challenges facing Swedish companies.
Through a licensing agreement with the William Morris Society in London, TekoTryck offers over 20 classic patterns by William Morris (1834-1896) on dishcloths and kitchen towels — connecting Victorian design heritage with Swedish craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented the Swedish dishcloth?
Civil engineer Curt Lindquist in Norrkoping, Sweden, in 1949. He pressed cellulose, cotton and salt using a meat grinder to create a cloth that dried surfaces effectively.
How many companies manufacture the Swedish dishcloth?
Only two in the world — one in Sweden and one in Germany. This has been the case since the mid-1950s.
When was the first Swedish dishcloth with a customised design printed?
In 1994, when TekoTryck became the first company in the world to screen-print designs on dishcloths.
What is the Swedish dishcloth made of?
70% cellulose from well managed forests and 30% cotton from textile industry byproducts. 100% biodegradable.
How many designs has TekoTryck printed?
More than 20,000 unique artworks since 1994, for over 800 customers in 70+ countries.
