How to Strip Kitchen Dishcloths for a Deep Clean

Do your dishcloths seem like they constantly get dirty? So dirty that even the washing machine doesn’t get the grime off? Learning how to strip kitchen dishcloths is the best way to restore your fabrics so that they last longer and actually get clean.

Everything in our kitchen works hard, but sometime I think the dish cloths and kitchen towels work the hardest of all! I recently added up my daily kitchen time and I think it comes to at least 4 hours per day. During that time, it seems like we’re constantly drying hands, drying dishes, wiping tables and counters, and scrubbing kids’ faces and fingers. The kitchen cloths are BUSY! 

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I like to use what I have until it’s thoroughly worn out, and buying new dishcloths and hand towels every few months does not sound appealing. But gosh, the dirt and grease and smells and soap scum sure build up on those fabrics quickly when you’re constantly in the kitchen! 

The bad news is that not only do those grimy cloths look and smell gross, but they can also be a breeding ground for bacteria. And sometimes, even machine washing isn’t strong enough to fully eliminate the residue.

“Stripping” dishcloths is a deep cleaning method that, well, strips the tough stains, food residues, and bad odors. It’s way cheaper than buying new dish towels is honestly super easy to do. (Every time I do it, I wonder why I don’t do it more often!)

It’s also one of the most rewarding chores you can complete. If you love the satisfaction of sweeping up a pile of dirt, wiping coffee stains off the counter, or emptying the vacuum cleaner, you will be delighted (and maybe partially disgusted) by the satisfaction of seeing the dirty water you’re left with once you’ve deep cleaned your kitchen linens.

How Do You Strip Dishcloths?

You can easily strip (deep clean) dishcloths and kitchen towels by submerging them in a large pot of water and then simmering them for 15 minutes with simple household cleaners. Baking soda and vinegar and some of the most powerful cleaning solutions, and they’re also completely safe to use. 

You’ll be amazed at what a small amount of these cheap and effective cleaning tools can do to restore your towels and cloths! 

Why Deep Clean Dishcloths?

Whether you’re scrubbing the kitchen counter, washing dishes, drying dishes, or drying hands, dishcloths are constantly picking up bacteria, grease, and dirt. And even after washing, the residues from food, grease, and detergents can linger on your cloths, creating an unpleasant smell and making your fabrics look worn and dirty.

Deep cleaning dishcloths strips the dirt and grime away. Here are a few more reasons you’ll love having deep-cleaned dishcloths:

• Removes buildup. Stripping dishcloths is an easy way to remove the buildup that doesn’t come off in a regular wash cycle.
• It’s easy! In just 20 minutes, you can strip a whole load of cleaning cloths.
• It’s satisfying. The deep cleaning process will leave you with a pot of dirty water. It’s easy to see how much gunk came off your cloths – such as satisfying task!
• Kills bacteria. Deep cleaning is especially important if you use your cloths on raw meat or eggs. (Personally, I prefer to use paper towels when cleaning up raw meat.)
• Softens and brightens. After deep cleaning, your dishcloths will not only look cleaner and brighter, but they’ll also feel softer! 

Supplies You’ll Need to Deep Clean Dishcloths

• Dirty dishcloths or hand towels (avoid mixing light and dark colors if they’re prone to bleeding)
• Baking soda (1/4 cup per pot)
• White vinegar (1/4 cup per pot)
• Large stock pot 
• Optional: laundry detergent (for post-boil washing)

Instructions

1. Add your dish rags, kitchen towels, or cloth napkins to a large stock pot. It’s important to leave enough room for the water, so don’t fill the pot more than half way with your dishcloths. Be sure to do separate batches or pots to differentiate colors if your cloths are prone to bleeding.
2. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of vinegar to the pot. 
   
3. Fill the rest of the way with water.
   
4. Bring the pot to a boil.
5. When you have boiling water, reduce heat and let your pot simmer for about 15 minutes. For best results, stir a few times while they’re simmering and make sure your towels are thoroughly unfolded.
   
6. Drain the excess water and let the rags cool some before handling. (And try not to get too grossed out by how much dirt comes off!)
   
7. If you want to get them extra clean, you can repeat the process a couple of times or more.
8. When they’re cool enough to handle, wring out the fabric and wash in the washing machine on normal cycle. 

If you want, you can also add 1/8 cup of borox and a few drops of dish soap to the pot. For dishcloths, though, I find a have the best results by keeping it simple with baking soda and vinegar! 

Why This Method Works

• Baking Soda: Acts as a natural abrasive and odor neutralizer, breaking down grease and food particles.
• Vinegar: Disinfects, dissolves mineral deposits, and softens fabrics without harsh chemicals.
• Boiling: Higher temperatures kill mold and germs, ensuring a deeper clean than regular washing and stopping the spread of potentially harmful bacteria.

More Useful Tips for Keeping Dishcloths Fresh and Clean

Here are a few more effective ways you can keep your dishcloths fresher in between deep cleans.

• Wash after heavy use: Toss cloths in the laundry immediately after cleaning up large spills.
• Avoid fabric softener: It leaves residues and tends to trap odors.
• Dry thoroughly: Hang cloths to air dry after washing to help prevent mildew.
• Use a natural surface cleaner: ​For wiping counters, use a surface cleaner made with natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals and soaps. (Here’s the recipe for my DIY kitchen surface cleaner.)
• Avoid using on raw meat. Raw meat contains harmful bacteria such as e. coli, listeria, and salmonella, which can cause food-borne illness. Consider wiping raw meat messes with an alternative method such as paper towels.
• Air dry dishes when possible. Using a drying rack to air dry dishes and cut down on kitchen towel use.

More DIY Cleaning Recipes

• Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
• DIY Kitchen Surface Cleaner
• Homemade Stain Remover for Clothing
• DIY Shampoo and Conditioner
• DIY Carpet Cleaner