In the modern kitchen, the humble dishcloth is often a hidden source of frustration. Traditional sponges and cotton cloths quickly become breeding grounds for odor-causing bacteria, leading to that tell-tale “stink” that necessitates frequent replacement and contributes to household waste. This is precisely where the Norwex Dish Cloth—specifically, the Mesh Microfiber Dish Cloth—steps in, offering a revolutionary alternative that has transformed the way countless households approach dish duty and general kitchen clean-up.
This guide will dive deep into everything you need to know about this netted powerhouse. We will explore its unique design, uncover its surprising versatility, provide a critical comparison against Norwex’s other popular offerings, and detail the simple care routine that ensures its longevity. By the end of this review, you will understand why the Norwex Dish Cloth is not just a cleaning tool, but an essential component of a truly chemical-free and efficient kitchen system. For those ready to make the switch, you can find the authentic Norwex Dish Cloths and other essential products directly through our dedicated consultant link:
Norwex Dish Cloth 2 Pack
Norwex Dish Cloth: Features, Materials, and the Magic of the Mesh
The Norwex Dish Cloth is fundamentally different from any dishcloth you have used before. It is not the soft, plush microfiber cloth Norwex is famous for—that would be the Kitchen Cloth. Instead, the Dish Cloth is a loose-woven mesh product, engineered specifically for scrubbing and quick-drying performance. This distinction is crucial to understanding its function and why it excels in areas where traditional cloths fail.
The Material: Engineered for Scrubbing and Speed
The Norwex Mesh Microfiber Dish Cloth is constructed from a unique, durable material that forms a netted, open weave. This structure is the secret to its success. Unlike dense cotton or standard microfiber, the mesh provides a gentle yet highly effective abrasive surface. This “heavy-duty clean without scratching” is its core value proposition. It allows you to tackle tough, stuck-on messes—think dried oatmeal, crusted cheese, or baked-on food—without resorting to metal scouring pads or harsh, abrasive cleansers.
The open, netted design serves two primary, game-changing functions:
Superior Scrubbing Power: The texture acts like thousands of tiny, flexible scrubbers, lifting and dislodging food particles with minimal effort. This is a key reason why many users find it indispensable for cleaning everything from delicate non-stick pans to rugged cast iron [1].
Rapid Drying: This is the feature that eliminates the notorious “stinky dishcloth” problem. The loose weave allows air to circulate freely and moisture to evaporate almost instantly. Because the cloth does not retain moisture or food particles in a dense matrix, it significantly reduces the environment necessary for odor-causing bacteria to thrive. This means your cloth stays fresh and odor-free for much longer than a traditional cloth or sponge, saving you time and money on replacements.
Product Specifications
The Norwex Dish Cloth comes in a Pack of 2 and is designed to be a long-lasting, reusable solution.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Mesh Microfiber Dish Cloths (Pack of 2) |
| Product Code | 307008 |
| Size | 45 cm x 45 cm (17.72″ × 17.72″) |
| Material | Loose-woven mesh (microfiber/nylon blend) |
| Primary Function | Scrubbing, removing stuck-on messes |
| Key Benefit | Quick-drying, anti-odor, non-scratch scrubbing |
Beyond the Dish: 10 Unexpected Uses for Your Norwex Dish Cloth
While the name suggests a singular purpose, the Norwex Dish Cloth’s unique scrubbing texture makes it an incredibly versatile tool that can replace a multitude of other cleaning products in your home. The core principle is simple: use it with a small amount of water to activate its scrubbing power, and watch stubborn messes disappear.
Here are ten ways to maximize the utility of your Norwex Dish Cloth:
Pots, Pans, and Casserole Dishes: This is its bread and butter. For baked-on food, simply wet the cloth and apply gentle pressure. The mesh lifts the residue without damaging non-stick coatings or leaving scratches on stainless steel.
Stovetop and Range Hood: Grease splatters and boiled-over food are a common kitchen challenge. The dishcloth is highly effective at cutting through grease—even without soap—when used with hot water, leaving a streak-free surface.
Microwave Interior: Food explosions in the microwave are a fact of life. Steam a bowl of water and lemon slices for a minute, then use the dishcloth to easily wipe away softened, stuck-on food from the walls and turntable.
Cleaning Root Vegetables: The gentle scrubbing action is perfect for removing dirt and soil from potatoes, carrots, and other root vegetables without bruising or peeling them unnecessarily. It’s a great way to prepare garden-fresh produce.
Beaters and Graters: Cleaning kitchen tools with small crevices is notoriously difficult. The open weave of the dishcloth easily conforms to the intricate wires of beaters and the sharp edges of graters, pushing out trapped food particles where a sponge would simply smear them.
Removing Bugs from Car Windshields: Yes, really. The same gentle-but-firm scrubbing action that works on baked-on food is ideal for removing splattered insects from car glass and headlights without scratching the finish.
Soap Scum in the Shower: Take your dishcloth outside the kitchen! The netting is excellent at scrubbing away the film of soap scum and mineral deposits that build up on glass shower doors and tile.
Cleaning Grout Lines: The edge of the folded dishcloth can be used to scrub stubborn dirt and grime from the grout between kitchen or bathroom tiles.
Removing Sticky Residue: For surfaces with stubborn, sticky substances—such as adhesive residue from labels or tape—the netted texture provides the necessary friction to lift the gunk without damaging the underlying material.
Wiping Down Outdoor Furniture: The durability and scrubbing power make it perfect for removing pollen, dirt, and bird droppings from patio tables and chairs before an outdoor meal.
The sheer number of applications underscores the product’s value. It replaces the need for a dedicated scrubber, a sponge, and even some specialized cleaning tools, simplifying your cleaning routine and reinforcing the Norwex philosophy of multi-purpose, sustainable products.
The Critical Comparison: Norwex Dish Cloth vs. Norwex Kitchen Cloth
One of the most frequent questions from new Norwex customers is: “What is the difference between the Norwex Dish Cloth and the Norwex Kitchen Cloth?” The confusion is understandable, but the two products are designed for entirely different, albeit complementary, purposes. Understanding this distinction is key to achieving optimal results in your kitchen.
The key distinction is function: The Norwex Mesh Microfiber Dish Cloth is a dedicated scrubber, providing the friction needed to remove stuck-on food and messes. The Norwex Microfiber Kitchen Cloth is a dedicated wiper/absorber, designed to soak up liquids, wipe down surfaces, and leverage the BacLock® technology to self-purify.
The fundamental difference lies in the material and the presence of BacLock®. The Norwex Kitchen Cloth is made of dense, high-quality Norwex Microfiber and contains the BacLock® feature—an antibacterial agent (silver microparticles) embedded in the cloth that self-purifies it within 24 hours of use. The Mesh Dish Cloth, being a netted nylon/microfiber blend, does not contain BacLock®. It stays fresh because of its rapid-drying, open-weave structure, which physically prevents bacteria from finding a moist, dense environment to multiply in.
For the best kitchen cleaning system, the two cloths work in tandem:
Use the Dish Cloth to scrub and remove all food debris from dishes, pots, and surfaces.
Use the Kitchen Cloth to absorb spills, wipe down counters, and polish surfaces to a streak-free shine.
The following table clearly outlines the differences:
| Feature | Norwex Mesh Microfiber Dish Cloth (The Scrubber) | Norwex Microfiber Kitchen Cloth (The Wiper) |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Loose-woven mesh (nylon/microfiber blend) | Dense, high-quality Norwex Microfiber |
| Primary Function | Scrubbing, removing stuck-on food | Wiping, absorbing, general surface cleaning |
| Texture | Netted, open weave, abrasive | Dense, often ribbed or diamond-textured, soft |
| BacLock® Technology | No | Yes (Silver microparticles for self-purification) |
| Odor Control Method | Rapid-drying, open-weave structure | BacLock® self-purification |
| Best For | Dishes, pots, stovetops, heavy messes | Countertops, tables, absorbing spills, general wiping |
Care and Longevity: Keeping Your Norwex Dish Cloth in Top Scrubbing Shape
The Norwex Dish Cloth is designed to be a durable, long-term replacement for disposable sponges and paper towels. To ensure you get the maximum performance and lifespan from your cloth, proper care is essential. The care instructions are simple, but they are also the source of the most common user confusion and complaint, which we will address honestly.
Daily Care: The Rinse-and-Hang Rule
The daily routine for the Norwex Dish Cloth is incredibly simple:
Rinse Thoroughly: After each use, rinse the cloth under warm running water to remove all food particles and debris. The open mesh design makes rinsing extremely easy, as food particles wash away quickly.
Hang to Dry: This is the most critical step. The cloth’s anti-odor property relies on its ability to dry rapidly. Always hang the cloth to dry completely after rinsing. Never leave it wadded up in the sink or draped over a faucet where air cannot circulate.
The Soap Dilemma: Why Less is More
One common critique of Norwex cloths is the instruction to avoid dish soap. For the Mesh Dish Cloth, this is less about damaging the cloth and more about maintaining its optimal function. Soap residue can build up in the fibers, creating a sticky film that traps food and moisture, which can then lead to odors.
If you are a person who constantly has a sink full of soapy water, you need a system to manage this. The best practice is to keep the Dish Cloth near the sink but separate from the soapy dishwater. Only wet it under the faucet with fresh water when you need to scrub. If you must use soap for a particularly greasy item, ensure you rinse the cloth extra thoroughly afterward in clean, hot water.
Deep Cleaning: Machine Washing for Longevity
The Norwex Dish Cloth is machine-washable. For a deeper clean, follow these guidelines:
Wash Frequency: Wash weekly, or as needed, when you do your regular load of Norwex microfiber.
Detergent: Use a Norwex-approved detergent, such as the Ultra Power Plusâ„¢ Laundry Detergent, or a free-and-clear detergent that contains no fillers.
What to AVOID: Never use bleach, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets. Bleach can damage the fibers, while fabric softeners and dryer sheets clog the mesh, reducing its scrubbing efficiency and quick-drying ability.
Drying: Air dry or tumble dry on a low heat setting.
By adhering to these simple care steps, your Norwex Dish Cloth will remain your go-to scrubber for years, providing consistent, powerful, and odor-free cleaning.
The Environmental and Health Impact: A Sustainable Kitchen Swap
Beyond its superior performance, the Norwex Dish Cloth aligns perfectly with the goal of creating a more sustainable and healthier home. For consumers increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint and exposure to household chemicals, this product represents a significant, positive change.
Reducing Chemical Exposure
The primary benefit of the Norwex system is the ability to clean effectively using only water. For the Mesh Dish Cloth, this means you can scrub away grease and stuck-on food without the need for chemical-laden dish soaps or abrasive cleansers. By eliminating these products, you reduce the chemical load in your kitchen, which is especially important for households with children, pets, or individuals with sensitivities. This chemical-free approach is central to the Safe Haven movement that Norwex promotes.
Eliminating Waste and Saving Money
The Norwex Dish Cloth is a long-term investment that dramatically reduces waste. Consider the lifespan of a traditional sponge, which must be discarded frequently due to odor and breakdown, or the constant consumption of paper towels for scrubbing and wiping.
| Product Type | Lifespan | Waste Generated | Cost Over 5 Years (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Sponge | 1-2 Weeks | High (Frequent disposal) | $50 - $100 |
| Paper Towels (for scrubbing) | Single Use | Very High | $150 - $300 |
| Norwex Dish Cloth (Pack of 2) | 2+ Years | Very Low (Minimal replacement) | $22.99 (Initial cost) |
Addressing the Competition: How the Norwex Dish Cloth Stacks Up
To truly claim the title of “King of Kitchen Clean-Up,” the Norwex Dish Cloth must be evaluated against its most common kitchen rivals: the traditional sponge, the cotton dishcloth, and the increasingly popular Swedish dishcloth.
Norwex Dish Cloth vs. The Traditional Sponge
The sponge is the most common competitor, and it is also the most problematic. Sponges are highly absorbent and have a dense, porous structure that is a perfect habitat for bacteria. They are notorious for retaining food particles and moisture, leading to rapid odor development and the need for frequent sanitization or disposal. The Norwex Dish Cloth’s netted, non-absorbent structure is the direct antithesis of the sponge. It simply does not hold water or food in the same way, making it inherently more hygienic and odor-resistant.
Norwex Dish Cloth vs. Cotton Dishcloth
Cotton cloths are better than sponges but still suffer from slow drying times and high absorbency, which can lead to odors. Furthermore, cotton lacks the necessary abrasive texture for effective scrubbing of baked-on messes, often requiring more elbow grease or the addition of chemical scouring powders. The Norwex Dish Cloth provides the scrubbing power of a scouring pad with the flexibility of a cloth, all while drying in a fraction of the time.
Norwex Dish Cloth vs. Swedish Dishcloth
Swedish dishcloths are a great eco-friendly alternative, being highly absorbent and compostable. However, they are designed for wiping and absorbing, not heavy-duty scrubbing. Their soft, paper-like texture is not suitable for removing hardened food residue from pots and pans. The Norwex Dish Cloth fills this gap perfectly, acting as the dedicated scrubber that complements the absorbent nature of the Swedish cloth.
In every comparison, the Norwex Dish Cloth carves out a niche as the superior, long-lasting, and hygienic scrubbing solution. Its unique netted design is the key differentiator that allows it to outperform competitors in the critical area of removing stuck-on, challenging messes without scratching.
Final Verdict and Your Next Step to a Cleaner Kitchen
The Norwex Mesh Microfiber Dish Cloth is more than just a cleaning tool; it is a fundamental shift in how you maintain hygiene and efficiency in your kitchen. By leveraging a unique, quick-drying netted material, it solves the age-old problem of the stinky, bacteria-ridden dishcloth. It offers powerful, non-scratch scrubbing for a wide array of kitchen messes and beyond, all while supporting a chemical-free, sustainable lifestyle.
While it is important to remember the proper care—rinse well, hang to dry, and avoid fabric softeners—the minor adjustment to your routine is a small price to pay for the massive benefits in hygiene, durability, and environmental responsibility. For the ultimate kitchen clean, we highly recommend pairing the Dish Cloth (the scrubber) with the Norwex Kitchen Cloth (the wiper) to create a comprehensive, two-step system.
If you are ready to experience the difference and upgrade your kitchen cleaning routine, you can purchase the authentic Norwex Mesh Microfiber Dish Cloths (Pack of 2) directly through Norwex through the link below.
