Towels & Cloths

For environmental impact, yes significantly. Microfibre cloths shed synthetic plastic microfibres with every wash, which pass through wastewater treatment systems and enter waterways and ocean food chains. Nawrap cloths are made from natural cellulose and cotton fibres that biodegrade completely at end of life and do not release microplastics.

Nawrap cloths are highly durable and typically last six months to a year of regular use with proper care. They can be washed in the dishwasher or washing machine. When new they feel stiff, but soften significantly after the first wash. They are more absorbent and durable than conventional dish cloths.

The most effective home sanitising method is to wet the cloth and microwave for 60 to 90 seconds, or machine wash on a hot cycle. Nawrap cellulose cloths can also be washed in the dishwasher, which reaches temperatures that kill most bacteria. Replace cloths when they develop persistent odours that do not resolve after washing.

Reusable cloth alternatives include Nawrap cellulose cloths, cotton dish cloths, and unpaper towels (reusable cotton flannel squares). These handle all the tasks paper towels are typically used for: wiping benches, drying hands, cleaning spills, and draining fried food. A set of 10 to 15 unpaper towels handles a week's worth of kitchen use before washing.

All dish cloths can harbour bacteria if left damp and unwashed. The key is to rinse thoroughly after use, wring out as much moisture as possible, and hang to dry between uses. Wash regularly — every two to three days for daily-use cloths. Natural fibre cloths that dry quickly between uses accumulate bacteria more slowly than synthetic sponges, which stay damp for longer.