How often do you change your dishcloth?

8 years ago

Our international colleagues are currently running a poll, revealing some interesting cultural habits. In Denmark most people change their dishcloths every day! What about you - how often do you change yours? We won't judge!

South Philly Row House · More Info

Once a day

Every other day

Once a week

Once a month

Can't remember last time I changed it

Featured Answer

Laraine Clarke

8 years ago

I'm determined not to get neurotic about this. Yes care is needed, but we are not dying like flies are we? In fact there is a school of thought that suggests we are becoming over sanitised to our detriment. Balance is good.

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Comments (30)

Laraine Clarke
8 years ago
I pop it in he white wash once a week and soak it for 20 minutes in a bleach solution daily.
hutchsl
8 years ago
I change it every time i finish tidying the kitchen, and wiping around ( sometimes 3 or 4 cloths daily) I once went on a food hygiene course :) Scares you for life! then they all go in a 90 wash (around 3 times a week) ........i have a lot of cloths :)
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cocolori
8 years ago
There isn't an option for 'when it starts to look or smell a bit manky' which is probably about once every 2 weeks. On the other hand I do use really hot washing water - if it's not scalding and I can wash up without waiting 5 mins for it to cool a bit then it isn't proper washing up.
User
8 years ago
Soak it in a weak disinfectant overnight. Easy.
medalyer
8 years ago
I change my dishcloths at least twice a day. I once read that there was more bateria on dishcloths than toilet bowels.
User
8 years ago
That's true netschwester! If we over clean we cannot build up tolerance which is why soap and water is favoured over anti-bacterial sprays. I wonder what we all mean by dish cloths? I use a dishwasher so my cloth is actually a 'Spontex' sponge. I use different ones for different surfaces (of course!) I don't want an upset tummy!
S H
8 years ago
I keep some washing powder in a small ceramic (white company) ex candle holder with lid. Everynight I put a little hot water with some powder in the washing up bowl and soak my dishcloth, they stay white and don't ever smell. One of my mother's tips.
littleminky
8 years ago
I have been on advanced hygiene course, but am of an age where I think we do overclean with sanitisers etc. Having said that i put my dishcloths in a solution of bleach and liquid detergent overnight almost every night and throw them when they are no longer white or start disintegrating. I do rinse them thoroughly in the morning as I tend to get bleach spots on my clothes if I don't. We are very rarely ill in my house.
mandobaggins
8 years ago
I change my cloth at least once a day, and when I'm baking or entertaining then I change it loads more - then I may get through 4 or 5 cloths. We are very very rarely ill in our family - my kids are healthy and i can't remember the last time we had a germ or bug in our house. Maybe it's due to washing my dishcloths?! I was genuinely shocked to see that some people obviously don't change their cloths very often! It has completely grossed me out!
Daisyone
8 years ago
I put mine in the wash with other stuff once a week. If the cloth is very discoloured or I've used it for something very messy, I soak in a weak bleach solution but this isn't very often. I can't remember the last time any member of the household got anything like gastro-enteritis (hope that isn't famous last words!).
Anne-Marie McDermott
8 years ago
Never use one. I have a dishwasher and anything that doesn't go in that drip dries on a rack on the draining board. If I need something urgently, I dry with kitchen roll. I think kitchen towels are riddled with germs, but its just my opinion, as I am very finicky about everything in my kitchen. Perhaps things would be different if I have a couple of kids and I was always washing and having to dry things in a hurry :)
User
8 years ago
Are we talking cloths or tea towels? Something may have got lost in translation!
teenytinyhouse
8 years ago
I use microfibre cloths for surfaces, dishcloths etc. I deliberately bought mixed colours, so I know which one is being used for what. I use them, let them dry and put them in the laundry basket. They then all get popped in the hot wash with the towels. Reusable is so much more environmentally friendly, especially as they don't really affect the load size in the washer (not using more water/detergent than I would anyway)
Gabby
8 years ago
Considering there are food particles on dishcloths and that bacteria and mold feed on these, I think it's prudent to change them every day. I liken it to leaving food out-to rot if left long enough.....and I make sure they are not buried in the wash before they have dried; that would increase the microbial count significantly and contaminate the surrounding items. When I'm ready to do wash, I microwave them on high (soaking wet in a bowl) then throw them in a hot wash in a lingerie bag. Same process for sponges.
User
8 years ago
Our homes are not operating theatres! Clean yes but some suggestions are a bit OTT methinks. Good night all, I'm off to disinfect stuff.
PRO
Anne Curtis Interior Design
8 years ago
Mine doesn't get 'changed' very often but it's in very hot soapy water each day and most days it is sprayed with a white vinegar/water solution to wipe down surfaces so I consider it being 'disinfected' daily but without using nasty toxic bleach. We also are a tummy-bug free family so must be doing something right!
Irina
8 years ago
most people commenting here are paranoic. When I had my second child I started washing my hands with anti-bacterial soap every hour or even frequently. I ended up with skin problems and allergy. Because too much hygiene kills good bacteria and our protective capabilities. Our body can't recognise bad or good things as it haven't met them. Why we have so many allergy in children nowdays... And if you go to Egypt for holiday you will have upset stomach for sure. So relax, no need to soak a sponge every night in vineger ))) you use dish detergent for every plate, it is enough for home (as home is not a restaurant), it kills bacteria on your sponge.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Hello Emmeline,

Well I don't do a lot of hand washing.. So I use a sponge on occasion. It is kept as dry as possible between uses to prevent bacteria. I really prefer the dishwasher.. When it's full it goes on and if not things wait, as it's a slimline it doesn't take too long to fill.... : ))
murphyrubia
8 years ago
I change the cloth at the kitchen sink between 3 & 5 times each day. It is commonly known to be the harborer of a variety of 'charming' bacteria, so in the interests of good health and hygiene I replace it often.
I run my cloth through the dishwasher if it's running to extend its life. I rinse it in cold water however as soon as I take it out of the dishwasher to retard new bacteria proliferating in the warm cloth!

The trick to cleanliness at the sink and safety on your surfaces is having a sizeable stash of cloths
163 hrd
8 years ago
The mind boggles...
Heather Welsh
8 years ago
How different we all are in our household routines! I can't imagine how I would ever use a cloth enough to change it 5 times a day. We have a dishwasher for most dishes & bin the sponge used for hand washing what's left after a week. Cloth for wiping surfaces gets replaced & stuck in the wash every week or so...
embletoni
8 years ago
At least daily here. I changed to washable cloths (flannels) specifically so I could do this: it's very expensive to change a store bought cloth every day. I also change the tea towel and kitchen hand towel daily. They absolutely need it as well. The tea towel gets soaked several times/day.

It does depend on how large the household is and how much time is spent in the house though. If it's a single person or couple who both work outside the home, eat dinner out a lot etc, a weekly change is no big deal. I'm at home every day, with friends and family passing through all the time, so the kitchen is very heavily used.
Jan Johnson
8 years ago
I use a chux cloth and it goes into the wash daily, then i know it is done so start the day with a clean one.
PRO
Ovolo Construction
8 years ago
when it smells
Angela
8 years ago
I use disposable wipes so use several a day. I think dishcloths are unhygienic and I dislike seeing them sitting around the sink area. Same goes for floorcloths use wipe and then throw away !
Sue Bowden
7 years ago
Daily..I open mine out on the top rack of the dishwasher & stick it through the wash.
Darcy Burke
7 years ago
Daily. It is an absolute must. Bacteria builds up in cloths and they must be changed daily. I can't see why people change them like every week or even more it is actually wrong to do this. Also they are so cheap to buy there is no reason not to wash them daily.
Jules Mc
2 years ago
Lingerie harness??? 🤭
Sue S
2 years ago
I change dishcloths and tea-towels every day, washing up sponges and hand towels every about twice a week, or more often if well-used. Dishcloths go in a bucket with stain remover and detergent, then they and everything else go in a hot wash with towels approx once per week. If not, they get stinky and disgusting.

How often do you change your dishcloth?

Laraine Clarke

Comments (30)

Laraine Clarke

hutchsl

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