organic cotton dish cloth

Conventional washing-up cloths, sponge scourers and dishwashing brushes are all made with plastic, which leach microplastics into the sea, when rinsed down drains. Choose plastic-free alternatives, from organic cotton dish cloths to natural scourers and compostable dish-brushes.

Read about biodegradable washing-up liquids and eco dishwasher powders. Choose unscented for pregnancy/nursing, affected medical conditions and baby/pet bowls (citrus oils are unsafe near animals).

Absorbent Organic Cotton Dish Cloths

organic cotton dish cloth

These organic cotton dish cloths are highly-absorbent, and unlike synthetic fibres, don’t release microplastics, in the washing machine. Avoid fabric conditioner, as this reduces absorbency. Sold in a variety of pretty colours.

These knitted dishcloths are very durable, designed to last a long time. Then naturally break down at end of use (cut them up and compost, or bin to naturally biodegrade). You can also use them as mini-hand towels. For cleaning, soak in warm water and a little cleaning vinegar, before laundering.

One dish cloth per pack, each one includes a hanging tag. Dyed to Oeko-tex standard, these are made fairly in India and sold in plastic-free packaging (shipped by sea). A donation from each purchase goes to Marine Conservation Society.

Biodegradable Textured Cotton Dishcloths

textured cotton dishcloths

These textured cotton dishcloths are super-stylish, sold in a pack of three (choose from cobalt, green, red or citrus). The quality and texture of the stitching, means these are great not just for washing the dishes, but for all your cleaning jobs around the house. Sold in a plastic-free box with easy-to-recycle card belly band. Machine-washable (do not tumble dry).

textured cotton dishcloths

The cotton is certified to Oeko-Tex standard, and coloured with azo-free dyes. The dishcloths are designed in London by a small woman-owned company with a strong focus on sustainability and kindness.

textured cotton dishcloths

5% of annual profits are donated to a charity that helps refugees and displaced people, during their greatest time of need. Ethically produced in Indian, and shipped to England by sea.

Pretty Compostable Swedish Dishcloths

Swedish dishcloths

Ten and Co is a small family company that sells Swedish compostable dish cloths, along with organic cotton tea towels. The dishcloths can hold 15 times their weight in liquid, and don’t release microplastics into the ocean, when you rinse them under the tap.

Swedish dishcloths

Swedish dishcloths have been around for 30 years or so. Unlike microfiber cloths that leach plastics, these are made from cellulose (wood pulp) and cotton so biodegrade after use. Designed to last for months, then just cut up and compost or bin to naturally break down.

Quick-Drying, Odourless Scrub Sponges

scrub sponges

These quick-drying scrub sponges are the zero waste alternative to green-backed nylon sponges. These can be washed again and again, then cut up to biodegrade or compost.

scrub sponge

The sponge is made from cellulose (wood pulp). And the scrubby side is made from sisal (a plant fibre) and coconut husk.

scrub sponge

The set of 6 sponges (in zero waste packaging) is made from plants, and last 3 times longer than traditional green-backed sponges. They feature dual sides for versatile cleaning, should last 2 to 3 weeks each with normal use. Safe to scrub on all cookware, just rinse after each use, and dry in a well-ventilated area.

A Bamboo Dish Brush (with sisal bristles)

bamboo dish brush

This bamboo dish brush has natural plant-based sisal bristles, as an alternative to plastic washing-up brushes that leach microplastics down sinks and into the sea. Bamboo is the world’s fastest-growing grass (industrial bamboo is not the same as fresh shoots, eaten by pandas).

Once bought, the handle lasts for life, you just buy replacement heads, and the old heads are easily recycled or composted. Sent in zero waste packaging, the elegant design is also easy to use. Just be sure to store away from water, to stop your brush biodegrading away!

Safe for all cookware, to replace the head you just unclip the old head from the handle, and replace the new head, and slide back the clip.

For normal use, expect to replace the brush head every 2 to 3 months. The metal part of the brush is galvanized to prevent rust, and you can also use these brushes for other cleaning tasks.

Washing-Up Tools Made from Coconut Fibre

coconut fibre dish brush

EcoCoconut Dish Brush is made from coir (coconut fibres) as alternative t  plastic scouring pads and bottle brushes. It’s non-scratch so okay for stubborn plates and non-stick pans, but not for plastic surfaces. Rinse after each use, and store in a dry place. You may notice some loose fibres at first, this will reduce over time.

coconut fibre scourers

The pack of two donut-shaped biodegradable scourers, are the alternative to those green-backed plastic scourers, that release microplastics down drains, once rinsed. These are safe to be used on non-stick pans, and also good to clean your cooker hob or stove top, and even safe for enamel sinks and baths.

coconut fibre bottle brushes

The bottle brush has a curled tip, for precision cleaning at the bottom of bottles, and can also be used to clean wine glasses and stainless steel flasks.

A Pack of Eco-Friendly Sponge Scourers

eco scourer

These eco-friendly sponge scourers are the zero waste alternative to green nylon scouring pads. Made from natural plant loofah (one side) and cellulose wood pulp, these are perfect to wash dishes, and can also be used on pots and pans.

eco scourer

Sewed together with cotton. Each sponge should last at least 4 weeks. Then just cut up and compost, or bin to naturally break down. Sold in zero waste packaging.

eco scourer

You can also buy pop-up sponges that are sent flat through the letterbox, then magically pop up to life as full-size sponges, when you put them under running water.

eco scourer

The copper scourers can be endlessly recycled, and ideal for removing tough stains. Sold in in a pack of 3, in cardboard packaging.

Fair Trade Gloves (in cardboard packaging)

Seep rubber gloves

SEEP Rubber Gloves are ideal for all your household cleaning jobs. The difference is that these ones are sold in cardboard packaging, instead of plastic. Sold in a pack of 3, they are flexible enough to do work while wearing them, and the soft lining adds an extra layer of comfort, for extended use without causing discomfort or irritation.

Seep rubber gloves

Plastic-free, these gloves are made from natural rubber and cotton-flock lining. Certified biodegradable, they also have textured pattern on the finger tips, for better grip.

Seep rubber gloves

Made in Sri Lanka, choose from 3 sizes (small, medium or large). The latex is sourced from trees using ‘rubber tapping’ that does not harm the tree, and carbon footprint is offset through a partnership with a reforestation charity.

A Stainless Steel Washing-Up Bowl

stainless steel washing up bowl

This stainless steel washing-up bowl is more expensive than a plastic one, but has a 15-year guarantee and won’t go mouldy, attract grease or rust. It fits modern, butler or farmhouse-style sinks, with a 10-litre capacity.

Recycled Plastic Washing-Up Accessories

reborn washing up bowl

Reborn is a fabulous company that makes a quality range of kitchen ware items, all made from discarded plastic and stainless steel. Designed to last years, everything is made from local waste, and made in a factory in Wiltshire.

reborn sink set

The range (sold in many colours and sizes) includes:

A washing-up bowl that is easy to drain and strain, with handles and a useful pouring spout. The 9 litre capacity is suitable for most sinks, with large carry handles for easy lifting and legs to elevate the bowl for easy draining. The plug can also be set to strain water with food particles. You can even use the pour spout, to water your plants.

reborn draining rack

The large draining rack takes up to 10 plates, with sloping ribs so water drains back into the sink. Plus the cutlery basket also has drain holes. You can remove the metal rack and cutlery pot for more space. Also in a compact size for 6 dinner plates, glasses and cups.

reborn cutlery tray

The easy-to-clean sink tidy fits your eco-friendly detergent and sponge in one side, with the sloping design letting soapy water flow through. Plus there is an integrated rail to hand damp dishcloths.

reborn cutlery drainer

Even the cutlery drainer has a knife-safety draining slot, plus a integrated draining spout with saucer.

There is a kitchen roll holder with ribs at the base to keep your recycled or reusable kitchen rolls in place, and it’s easy to grab due to the unique design. Finally there is a holder for your cooking utensils, again easy to clean and use.

How to Dry Your Dishes, Naturally

organic cotton tea towels

These organic cotton tea towels are good for the planet, as organic cotton is far better to grow for water, wildlife and farmers. In a variety of colours, the towels are sold in sets of 2. The herringbone weave design, means they are very durable and absorbent.

organic cotton tea towels

Unlike synthetic fibres, you can throw these tea towels in the washing machine, where they won’t release microfibres that go out to the ocean. Line-dry (if you use a tumble dryer, avoid fabric conditioner as this reduces absorbency). To remove smells, just soak the tea towels in warm water and a little cleaning vinegar, before laundering.

organic cotton tea towels

dish-drying cabinet

You can leave dishes to dry in the or a better idea from Finland is a dish-drying cabinet. Around since the 40s, this is made of wire and dowels, and lets dishes drip-dry into the sink.

organic cotton hand towel

The organic cotton hand towels are in similar colours, ideal if you prefer one of each in the kitchen. These are sold in 3 colours, and have a handy tag, for hanging up.

Similar Posts