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AIBU

Husband doesn’t understand the whole dishcloth/cleaning rag thing!

(115 Posts)
Sago Wed 30-Jul-25 17:41:16

We recently moved home and we have got rid of masses of stuff and bought lots of lovely shiny new things.
However some things cannot be replaced.

I have a huge kitchen drawer with a basket of probably 30 dishcloths and another of cleaning rags.
The cleaning rags are pure linen tea towels that are old and worn, they polish like magic, the dishcloths are proper Lancashire dishcloths, I think some of these have been with me 40+ years.

They work brilliantly are not made in China and I love them.

My husband cannot understand my attachment and bought me some new dishcloths (yes been thoroughly spoilt I know!)they are Chinese rubbish so have been relegated to the utility room.

He thinks I am mad……I think I am perfectly sane.

AIBU?

Paperbackwriter Thu 31-Jul-25 17:04:49

SueDonim

So do I Rosiesmaw. She is even more exacting about her cleaning implements than I am! She has a whole schedule pinned up on the inside of the cleaning cupboard door. 🤣🤣

OH gives our cleaner his worn-out tee shirts. She cuts them up and uses them for cleaning. Me, I like J cloths and kitchen roll.

Allira Thu 31-Jul-25 17:13:47

AuntieE

Worn out socks are just the thing for cleaning brass, as you can throw them out after using them.

And old socks for putting polish on shoes!

I don't like the open weave dishcloths much.

TillyWhiz Thu 31-Jul-25 17:18:41

🤣😂

Allira Thu 31-Jul-25 17:19:15

TillyWhiz

🤣😂

You can't wring them out!! 😁

castlecook Thu 31-Jul-25 17:43:20

I sometimes dust with items en route to the washing machine.

Mt61 Thu 31-Jul-25 17:46:36

Thanks Sago will take a look 👍🏻

Oreo Thu 31-Jul-25 19:40:33

David49

Personal attachment to Lancashire dishcloths is new to me.

😂
It’s something I’ve never come across anyway.

Maggieanne Thu 31-Jul-25 20:59:01

Ooh, just read about linen tea towels and it brought to mind the Irish Linen Shop in Birmingham city centre, it looked so old-fashioned but I bet it held many treasures inside, sorry slightly off topic, I bet Kate1948? (is that correct) would remember it!

Maggieanne Thu 31-Jul-25 21:01:00

Sago

I may ask him for some of these for Christmas..

I would love to say I’m joking………

www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwjo_e2mheeOAxWpmFAGHYOZLsEYACICCAEQIhoCZGc&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6P3tpoXnjgMVqZhQBh2DmS7BEAQYASABEgJezvD_BwE&cce=1&sig=AOD64_01UqebQlr2CHubk7UbiDB3cNRkIg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiLvOmmheeOAxWacUEAHcsTCFgQ5bgDKAB6BAgGEAs&adurl=

HOW MUCH!!!

WithNobsOnIt Thu 31-Jul-25 21:50:51

SueDonim

I have a hierarchy of cleaning cloths, all in my head. Woe betide anyone who messes with it! grin

When I was about 40 I was rushed into hospital with acute appendicitis. I asked my Dh to go home and pack a bag for me, including a towel, soap and a face cloth. I discovered when I opened it, post-op, that he’d given me a dish cloth instead of a face flannel! He claimed he couldn’t tell the difference. confused

That is the best laugh l've had all day.
That's men for you Sue.

Think yourself lucky he bring you a used wet nappy.

Sago Fri 01-Aug-25 06:50:19

Maggieanne

Sago

I may ask him for some of these for Christmas..

I would love to say I’m joking………

www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwjo_e2mheeOAxWpmFAGHYOZLsEYACICCAEQIhoCZGc&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6P3tpoXnjgMVqZhQBh2DmS7BEAQYASABEgJezvD_BwE&cce=1&sig=AOD64_01UqebQlr2CHubk7UbiDB3cNRkIg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiLvOmmheeOAxWacUEAHcsTCFgQ5bgDKAB6BAgGEAs&adurl=

HOW MUCH!!!

I know, I am tempted to show my husband, he will probably buy them😳.
For those that couldn’t be bothered to click the link I have posted a screenshot.

loopyloo Fri 01-Aug-25 07:11:44

I share a kitchen with my daughter.
She uses tea towels and hand towels as the same thing but washes them frequently whereas I have separate ones. We have a dishwasher so very little washed by hand.
I have kitchen surface cloths and then heavier duty cloths. But they are modern things. Will try these traditional ones.
It's a minefield. I'm always looking for a better way that's more efficient and hygienic.

Grandma2002 Fri 01-Aug-25 08:48:56

I have an old washing up bowl full of old face flannels, worn out towels, cut up cotton vests, etc. for drying off washed down surfaces, mopping up spills, etc. When a repair man saw my hoard he asked if I could spare a few as he never has enough old cleaning cloths in his van. I felt very generous and gave him half my supply so that now I am able to add to my store!

justwokeup Fri 01-Aug-25 12:43:49

My husband cannot understand my attachment and bought me some new dishcloths (yes been thoroughly spoilt I know!)they are Chinese rubbish so have been relegated to the utility room.

Why do men try to change what they don’t understand? DH wants to lop trees all year round to keep them tidy!

I’m trying very hard to avoid Chinese rubbish in my house. It’s practically impossible. Just bought some white dusters from Lakeland, the jury is out atm, I might need another few years to decide if I like them.

Kate1949 Fri 01-Aug-25 12:55:00

Yes Maggieanne I remember that lovely shop.

Grandma70s Fri 01-Aug-25 13:12:44

What an extraordinary thread 😀

I can’t say I have ever given any thought to these matters. I do know that I don’t have any dishcloths.

Maggieanne Fri 01-Aug-25 14:14:58

Kate1949

Yes Maggieanne I remember that lovely shop.

I thought you might, haven't been to the city centre in years, last time I couldn't recognise it at all, and so many young women with pushchairs!, All the shops we loved have gone.

JamesandJon33 Fri 01-Aug-25 14:24:01

Talking of Chinese stuff, anyone know where I can buy good wooden spoons.
Went to a large dept store today….not a one. All plastic

sazz1 Fri 01-Aug-25 14:52:53

I'm sure husbands have a mental block about cleaning materials. I was in hospital recently and ill for around 3 weeks altogether. Now much better I was going to mop the floors yesterday but DH assured me he had done it regularly while I was ill.
Turns out he meant dropping a single floor wipe on the floor and moving it about a bit with his foot lol. All done now with mop bucket and disinfectant lol

Jaxjacky Fri 01-Aug-25 15:24:13

Grandma70s

What an extraordinary thread 😀

I can’t say I have ever given any thought to these matters. I do know that I don’t have any dishcloths.

I’m with you Grandma70
JamesandJon John Lewis, Robert Dyas, IKEA and of course Amazon seem to stock them.

butterandjam Fri 01-Aug-25 15:29:32

JamesandJon33

Talking of Chinese stuff, anyone know where I can buy good wooden spoons.
Went to a large dept store today….not a one. All plastic

I have a collection of wooden spoons, many different woods, something I seek out in markets on world travels.

Scribbles Fri 01-Aug-25 17:13:32

JamesandJon33

Talking of Chinese stuff, anyone know where I can buy good wooden spoons.
Went to a large dept store today….not a one. All plastic

Have a look at ProCook - if there isn't a store near you, you can order online.

JoyBloggs Fri 01-Aug-25 18:19:26

sazz1

I'm sure husbands have a mental block about cleaning materials. I was in hospital recently and ill for around 3 weeks altogether. Now much better I was going to mop the floors yesterday but DH assured me he had done it regularly while I was ill.
Turns out he meant dropping a single floor wipe on the floor and moving it about a bit with his foot lol. All done now with mop bucket and disinfectant lol

sazz1
This reminded me of 2 amusing floor-washing tales...

When I was in hospital after having one of the DCs the lady in the opposite bed interrogated her husband about the kitchen floor and it turned out he had washed it... but with fabric conditioner!

A TV series starring the wonderful Thora Hird had a sketch involving her in hospital wanting to know if her DH had washed the kitchen floor. He had mopped it but she then wanted to know which bucket he'd used. When he told her she was horrified... he'd used the 'outside' bucket instead of the 'inside' bucket!
shock

Mt61 Sat 02-Aug-25 00:04:45

JamesandJon33

Talking of Chinese stuff, anyone know where I can buy good wooden spoons.
Went to a large dept store today….not a one. All plastic

Tkmaxx, or homesense have an array of wooden spoons

Granmarderby10 Sat 02-Aug-25 00:45:02

Maggieanne I agree about town/city centres being unrecognisable, ours has almost nothing in it that I want or need because so many shops have closed even the amazing old library is now no more. Instead a horrid little place stuck in the corner of the expensively refurbed Council House. But it does have nice loos!

I am curious to know though Maggieanne what is wrong with young women with pushchairs!🤔