Every couple days I clip my sponge to the rack in the dishwasher and letter go. You still have to hang to dry, but it works slick. I imagine doing the same with a cloth would be fine. I have a bag of plastic laundy clips I use for bags and such…more economical than fancy bag clips (tip a’la mil) and never melted in the dishwasher…top rack! 
peaches and creme cotton works for me. i have taken to buying the cone size since i cranked out several washcloth/soap sets for a fund-raiser auction.
You know you can disinfect dishcloths in the microwave. Make sure they’re damp and microwave on high for a minute or two, until it gets hot and steamy. This will kill all of that smell bacteria and you don’t have to worry about bleach fading the colors. The teachers used to do this in the lounge.
Yes microwave all sponges, dishrags, etc. Items that have been washed in a washing machine come out with all sorts of bacteria that you don’t want to know about or the origin of, left over from towels and undies. A study that examined this recommended that you run an empty bleach cycle in between, to keep kitchen items uncontaminated.
I’d microwave my teatowels after coming out of the washing machine, and always microwave sponges etc. frequently to keep away that bacterial smell. Dish-washing/scrubbing brushes too. 2 minutes per item is about right (it WILL be hot when it’s finished! let it cool).
Keeping them dry will help too, I have been told that lacy dishcloths are good because the lace texture scrubs well, but the negative space/laciness means they dry very fast.
Sarah
That’s an interesting solution and for those who hate using bleach a potential boon idea!
My ex-mother in law used to use the lace doilies I crocheted for her as dish rags. She said they were ‘the best’ at cleaning pots and pans. After she told me, the silly woman couldn’t understand why I never made her another doily, she loved them so much. :??
Pragmatism vs aestheticism? 
(practical vs beauty)
OK so it should be made of COTTON yarn?
Dishcloths? Yes, as a general rule they are made of cotton because cotton is absorbent.
ArtLady made some from microspun though and I gave it a try and I do like them. They aren’t quite as absorbent as cotton, but once they’ve been washed a few times they do pretty well. They stay nicer looking, too.
100% cotton or blends?
It would be 100% because the blend material is usually water resistant.
I’m going to be making a few dishcloths over the next month (I’m thinking Mother’s Day). I’ve never made them before, so I’m wondering, how tight to knit them? Is tighter better to the durability of the dishcloth, or is that actually bad? 
Susan P.
Sorry I haven’t responded - my kids are out for spring break, which means less computer time.
I don’t use any type of dishcloth that can be washed an reused. I just hate picking up a cloth that has already been used. I either use the blue shop towels (like from Costco) that last one or two meals, or I use the thin scrubie things - blue on one side and white on the other. They are both super thin, cheap to buy, and disposible.
My husband and I totally don’t agree about dishclothes, so when it’s his week, he uses what he likes, and I use what I like!!
I need to know too! Anyone of your expert dishcloth knitters??? What 100% yarn and needle size do you recommend?
Although I am by no means an experienced knitter, I’ve knit my fair share of washcloths- about 45 to date :happydance:
I’ve used peaches n cream, sugar n cream and lionbrand cotton, and liked all of them. I prefer the lionbrand, although it’s just a tad more expensive. I’ve also found that bamboos work best with cotton as they hold on to it a bit more. washcloths are fun- there’s a ton of great patterns out there, and they are also a fabulous way to learn new stitches!
I do wash mine daily, and also use them for the bath; ultra luxurious! They make fabulous little hostess or add on gifts, especially paired with a nice bar of soap!
HTH
Heidi
I can’t wait to start my first! What size needle do you prefer, or does it vary between those 3 yarns you mentioned?
oh, and as for needle size- i use anywhere from a 5-7; depending on my mood, and whats on the other needles!
http://knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/dishcloths.php
tons of great patterns
http://knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/stitches.php
if you want to wing it yourself and just try new stitches
oops; double post!
I think this would be a great way to try all those great stitches of the week in Lion Brand’s e-newsletter. Here’s a link to their Stitch Finder. I’m knitting (in the back burner right now) a scarf where I change the stitch every 6 " or so, like a sampler.