In 1949, a Swedish engineer named Curt Lindquist created a material which was made of fiber and cotton and could absorb water quickly.He turned this new material into dishcloths which have been available in Europe ever since, and now they are gaining ground in Canada.
I love microfiber cleaning cloths, but I stopped buying them when I started cutting down on plastic and things containing chemicals. I had heard that Swedish dishcloths would replace traditional towels, but I didn't see how they could be much better than my regular cotton dish towels. At that time, the company Swedish Wholesale sent me a sample pack of 10 to have a try and I am really kind of gobsmacked—they perform really well and are of great use. The ones are hard at first, but get soft once they are wet. They are made in Europe, which means they aren't exactly a local product.
The best part of dishcloths may be that they are completely biodegradable. The ones I got are made of biodegradable plantbased fiber and cotton. After innocent spills and wiping up water, I just wash mine out in the sink and squeeze them well, and then let them dry on the dish rack. But for more intensive washing, they can go into the washing machine or dishwasher.They are much less likely to give shelter to bacteria compared to traditional dishcloths because of their unique composition.
I have been using mine for about a month, and I'm curious to see how long the pack will last, but so far they have been satisfactory. I worried that they would just be something I would have to throw out at the end of their lives, but that they can be composted, which is a key factor, makes a big difference. I will report back after more time has passed, but for now I can't imagine going back to everything else.
1. Why did the author stop buying microfiber cleaning cloths?
A.They were made of chemicals. | B.Something was wrong with them. |
C.New dishcloths would be given to her. | D.She wanted to cut back on her daily expense. |
2. What does the underlined word “gobsmacked” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A.Surprised. | B.Nervous. | C.Embarrassed. | D.Disappointed. |
3. What is the author's attitude to the new dishcloths at last?
A.Uninterested. | B.Doubtful. | C.Negative. | D.Positive. |
4. What is the best title for the text?
A.Dishcloths Made in Europe | B.Giving Swedish Dishcloths a Try |
C.The Function of New Dishcloths | D.The Differences Between Two Dishcloths |