These Sponge-Like Dishcloths Are a Genius, Waste-Free Alternative to Paper Towels

When you need to clean up a spill or wipe down the kitchen table after dinner, what do you reach for first? Paper towels are an obvious choice, but there's actually a more affordable, less-wasteful alternative than your go-to bulk pack: Swedish dishcloths, also known as reusable paper towels.

Patented in 1949 by Swedish civil engineer Curt Lindquist under the brand name Wettex, reusable paper towels are typically made of a cellulose-and-cotton blend, and they're meant to be dampened, squeezed out, and used to sop up spills or clean up crumbs, just as a regular paper towel would. They're slightly spongier than paper towels when wet, but they feel just like paper when dry.

These quick-drying cloths come in all sorts of colors and patterns, and many brands claim that they can be used for a few months before throwing away or composting. (As a general rule of thumb, don't compost anything that's been used with a chemical cleaning spray.)

While they're not meant to be used on soiled areas, you can use reusable paper towels with all-purpose cleaners on glass, tabletops, countertop surfaces, floors, and elsewhere — buying multiple patterned designs can help you designate them for cleaning separate areas in the home.

The best reusable paper towels are absorbent, quick-drying, and come in cost-efficient multi-packs. We chose these six best reusable paper towels based on these criteria and their positive user reviews.