Every now and then, a question lands in our inbox that makes us cringe: 
“Is it okay to put my Ecovask cloths in the dishwasher?”

On the surface, it sounds clever: pop your cloths into the dishwasher, press a button, and voilà, two jobs done at once. In fact, other brands recommend it, and it even popped up on 7 Sharp a few weeks ago.

But here’s the thing: just because it’s convenient (and on TV) doesn’t mean it’s good for your cloths. We’re calling it - dishwashers and dishcloths are a hard no. They’re like oil and water - put together, but never really mixing.

Why? Three words: bacteria hotels, detergent cocktails, and soggy cloth soup. Let’s break it down.

 

1. A Steam Room for Bacteria 

Here’s the first problem: dishwashers often finish their cycle and then sit closed for hours – if not overnight. Unfortunately, those conditions are basically a day spa for bacteria and mildew when it comes to your dishcloth. This is why that funky smell shows up so quickly.

 

2. Dishwater Soup 

During a dishwasher cycle, your cloth isn’t bathing in hot, pristine water. It’s marinating in a broth of dirty dishwater, food scraps, and grease. Eew.

Because cloths are absorbent, they will actually soak up some of this lovely dishwater mix. So instead of coming out sparkling fresh, they’ve basically taken on some of the mess they were supposed to get rid of. Not exactly the hygiene upgrade we’re after.

 

3. Chemical Cocktail 

Dishwasher detergents are packed with strong alkalis, bleaching agents, enzymes, and rinse aids that do wonders on plates. But on a soft, absorbent cotton cloth? Not so great.

Those chemicals can soak into the fibres and linger there. Then what happens? You wipe down your benchtops, maybe even the table where your kids eat, with a cloth that’s carrying traces of toxic chemicals. Not ideal.

4. Wrong Tool for the Job

Here’s the truth: dishwashers are brilliant at blasting solid items with water jets. But when it comes to fabrics? They’re all splash and no scrub. Without the proper agitation of a washing machine, fibres don’t release all their dirt, oils, or bacteria.

So your cloth may look cleaner, but on a microscopic level, it’s not as hygienic as it should be.

 

The Right Way to Wash Your Cloths

Okay, so if the dishwasher is out, what’s in? Here’s the Ecovask routine:

• Change daily: Pop a fresh cloth into rotation every day or two.
• Hang to dry: Rinse, wring, and hang somewhere to dry. We love the Happy Sinks Dishcloth Holder or Wunderbar.
• Machine wash hot: A proper hot wash (between 40° to 60°C).
• Optional pre-soak: For an extra boost, soak in cold water with a splash of white vinegar before washing. Vinegar is a natural bacteria-buster.
• Dry thoroughly: Whether it’s air-drying in sunshine or a quick tumble, make sure your cloths are properly dry before folding them away. Never store a wet/damp dishcloth in a drawer or cupboard.

 

Why This Matters (Beyond the Smell)

Your cloth is often the first responder to spills and splatters, keeping it hygienic really does matter.

Plus, caring for your cloths the right way means they’ll last longer. Ecovask cloths are designed to stand the test of time - but only if they’re treated kindly. The dishwasher, sadly, is not a kind place for textiles.

 

Final Wipe-Down

So, should you wash your cloths in the dishwasher? In our opinion: NO. Your dishwasher has enough on its plate (literally). Let your washing machine do the laundry, give your cloths a proper dry, and rotate them often.

It’s a small shift that makes your kitchen cleaner, fresher, and - let’s be honest - a much nicer place to be.

After all, a cloth that smells like sunshine beats a cloth that smells like “last night’s dinner party” any day.