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How often do you throw out your dish rags and cleaning cloths?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
August 28, 2007 5:25pm CST
About two months ago, I got a brand new set of pink striped dish towels and since then have used them for everything. I don't use them for dishes, since I prefer to let the dishes drain, instead. However, the rags have made excellent cleaning cloths. There is even one rag assigned to random spills on the kitchen floor. And, until recently, they cleaned up very well.
However, I've noticed that my once prized dish towel/cleaning rags are getting to look a little ratty. I have tried bleaching them, but they are not looking any better. And, I am wondering if I should throw them away. I'm worried that if I throw them away I won't get another set. And, since they're just used for cleaning, what's the big deal in how they look?
Do you think it would be a good idea to throw out the old dish rags and get a new set? Or, just keep the ones I have? How often do you think that you should throw out or replace your dish rags or cleaning rags? Should they ever be replaced or simply laundered and reused?
4 people like this
15 responses
@conkeller (8)
• United States
29 Aug 07
Dish rags, sponges, and kitchen towels. I know your problem. When they get to the point to where they won't clean up in the washer anymore, I reduce the things to either the trash can (sponges) or the furniture polish rag box. When they are to soiled up with polish and dirt they then go to the trash. I learned many years ago to not buy nice looking towels for the kitchen. I go to a discount store and buy a package of approx. 12 rags for about $5.00. I still have towels and wash cloths put back from when I got married (20 years ago!) but I wont pull those out till my kids move out of the home. They are the worst on not even trying to keep nice things nice. My DH is even worse....but I love them all anyway.
2 people like this
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
29 Aug 07
Oh, that's so sweet about the wedding towels. Yes, you will definitely want to keep those tucked away for awhile. I had some really nice knick-knacks in my curio cabinet and they got broken when I got cats and a kid. So, I know better than to let either one near my precious collectibles anymore.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I use my dish rags for dishes and a separate set of rags for cleaning. I don't care how stained my cleaning rags become for I just wash them in the washing machine and reuse them over and over till they fall apart. They're for cleaning so of course they're going to be full of stains so why worry about it, right? Even my dish rags have stains but it's because of cleaning dishes. The way I solved that problem is by buying dark colored dish rags so the stains won't be easy to see. It looks so much better in the kitchen sink edge than a light colored stained dish rag does.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92745)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I use mine until they have holes in them. Then those get downgraded to dust rags. Since they are mostly seen by me, I don't feel like I need to be concerned with spending money towards brand new towels. And when I do need some, I go to the Dollar Tree. They have attractive towels and they are cheap. They may not last as long, but who cares? They're a dollar. A person can afford to buy new ones again.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
29 Aug 07
Dollar Tree and Dollar General, we shop at both of those places for necessities. Will be checking them both for cleaning rags, next time. Think I paid four dollars for three dish clothes (cleaning rags) at Walmart. Maybe that's about normal price.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
28 Aug 07
For me personally as long as they are clean not filled with holes, stink, or there isn't any bacteria on them then I keep them. When they were new I would display them over the oven rail or a hook but now I keep them in the cupboard and take them out only when I need one. They are ugly to look at but they are for cleaning so I don't really care.
1 person likes this
@lylaburns123 (4)
• United States
18 Apr 12
I have a cleaning service that comes twice a month. http://corporatecleaningtexas.com I clean the rags every time they come and in between visits, when I use the rags. I replace my rags about every six months. They get grungy really fast, and in order to have a clean house I think you need fresh cleaning supplies.
@lylaburns123 (4)
• United States
18 Apr 12
I have a cleaning service that comes twice a month. http://corporatecleaningtexas.com I clean the rags after each time they come, and throughout the time that I use them between visits. I replace my rags about every six months. They get grungy really fast, and in order to have a clean house I think you need fresh cleaning supplies.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
29 Aug 07
After a while, my dish cloths become cleaning rags, which I then throw away when they are too raggedy to easily use. Or when there are a lot of cleaning rags.
It's a set system. A cloth starts out as a dish cloth, for washing dishes. Then it becomes a cleaning rag, for counters and stovetops. Or cupboard doors. Then it becomes a bathroom rag, then it gets thrown out.
I buy different colours all of the time to keep a sort of track. Old towels get used by my husband for his bike, or for the fish tank.
@meljessxena (2315)
• Australia
29 Aug 07
i usually change my washing up cloths about every 3 or so days, and then the ones i use around the house i change about once a month, unless if wash them and reuse them for longer. i think if your cloths are looking ratty well then maybe better if you go get another set.
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
25 Sep 07
I have tons of cleaning rags and dishcloths-- I usually take the dish clothes that are looking ratty and make them into cleaning rags. When I do this- I buy new dish clothes- so it’s a constant cycle. I throw them in the washer after every use- I don’t care what they look like- they are only cleaning rags. As long as they do the job of cleaning- when they start to get thin or holey- I toss them.
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
29 Aug 07
I use any of my dish towels for rags once they get stained and tattered . I do use mine for my dishes but when I get new one's these become my rags . I basically keep my rags until they are of no more use though as they are only a rag anyway and I am not particular about how they look as they are just for quick spills or things around the house that need cleaning . Once they are washed I know they are clean even if they don't look the best and I don't bother exchanging them until they are of no more use for anything because they are full of holes . I don't see why you would have to throw them away as once they are washed they will work just as well again .
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I don't throw out my rags and cloths until there are holes in them! lol! I laugh, but I am serious. Why throw something away if it is still usable. I recycle just about everything I can, until it's pretty well used up. Of course, I paint a lot and even ratty, stained rags come in handy for that!
@nokia6233 (937)
• India
29 Aug 07
well i usually keep them until they either get worn out or get unusable by getting much stains and odour with them....
i think a few times they can be washed and reused but more than that is not recommended and must be replaced..
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
29 Aug 07
About every 2 to 3 months for dishes and sensitive cleaning situation rags. I usually have the rags downgraded to other heavy duty tasks. I also have a set of very reusable rags that I launder and they have served me well.
