Swedish Dishcloth (SG60 Collection) Earth Friendly Biodegradable Super Absorbent Multi-Purpose Cleaning White Sponge Cloth

The SG60 Collection.

 

We love arts and heritage. We love stories that transcend the fabric of our existence. That is why we create, nurture and reflect.

 

As Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday this year, we decided to create a collection that fully reflects our heritage and racial harmony with 4 unique prints in distinctive colors. The SG60 Collection showcases our culturally diversified society through the lens of retrospective art and history. The 4 design prints are called (in order from left to right in the listing): Azulejos, Girih, Kalka and Shòu.

 

The word azulejo is a singular term derived from the Arabic word "zellij" meaning "polished stone" where the original idea was to imitate Byzantine and Roman mosaics. 

A brief history of inter-marriages between European settlers and locals gave rise to the Eurasians' vibrant amalgamation of Western and Eastern traditions in Singapore. Most if not all of the azulejos or the "peranakan tiles" you've seen in Singapore have been inspired by the Portuguese or Spanish colonists and traders that settled in Southeast Asia.

The color selection of blue and white for the azulejos on our sponge cloths are intentional. Since the early days of international trade, the europeans have been fascinated with the elegance and fine touch of Chinese porcelain. As porcelain was difficult to manufacture because it used an ingredient (Kaolin) that didn’t exist in Europe at the time, porcelain became an object of luxury due to its rarity and a symbol of wealth. During the 17th century, in an attempt to copy it, the Dutch began making tiles in the same blue and white tones as Chinese porcelain. The tiles pleased the Portuguese so much that massive imports were ordered from the Netherlands to decorate the Portuguese buildings and till this day, plenty of azulejos can still be found in a nice blue and white glaze.

 

Classical girih patterns (as seen in Persian or Ottoman architecture) are rare in Singapore’s context, Muslim architecture and fashion design are found to adopt geometric principles which are central to girih; symmetry, repetition, and sacred geometry. From the intricate geometric artwork on the domes, arches and, interior walls of the Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan) to the geometric motifs found on the wood carvings and perforated screens at the Malay Heritage Centre. These designs reflect the broader Islamic artistic vocabulary shared with girih patterns, emphasizing symmetry and mathematical precision.

Our color selection of green holds a certain significance to Muslim culture. Green color in Islam is often used to symbolize hope, prosperity, and eternity. Green is symbolic of the Prophet Muhammad, spiritual growth, and the beauty of nature. It is associated with the lush gardens of Jannah in the Holy Quran and is often used in Islamic flags and emblems.

 

In Indian culture, the paisley pattern, known as "Kalka", symbolizes life, eternity, and resilience, stemming from a blend of floral and cypress tree motifs, with the cypress tree representing immortality and the floral elements representing life and fertility.

The motif’s adaptability to symmetry, repetition, and flowing lines aligned with India’s love for intricate, organic patterns in art and textiles was the main reason why we wanted to feature this amazing pattern on our sponge cloths. Because the paisley’s journey from Persia to India exemplifies "cultural osmosis", where foreign elements are absorbed, reinterpreted, and immortalized through local genius. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to bridge diverse traditions, embody spiritual ideals, and adapt to changing times, making it a timeless symbol of India’s artistic and cultural pluralism.

The saffron color of our paisley pattern also holds a fair amount of significance in Indian culture. Saffron is a symbol of purity and renunciation of material life. Hence, saffron robes are worn by Hindu ascetics and is thus the most sacred color in Hinduism.

These iconic religious and cultural representations further reflect a concept which truly mirrors the SG60 Collection and also celebrates the beauty of a culturally diversified Singapore.

 

The character "寿" (shòu) means longevity and is frequently represented in a circular form, which symbolizes unity, wholeness, and eternity, reflecting the cyclical nature of life.

 

The Swedish dishcloth was invented in 1949 by Swedish engineer Curt Lindquist. He discovered that a mixture of natural wood cellulose and cotton fibers can absorb an incredible 15 times its own weight.

 

Today, this dishcloth is widely used to replace paper towels and synthetic dishcloths as it is able to breakdown naturally without harming our environment.

 

By the way, it has many names, some may call it  "sponge dish cloth" or "cellulose dish cloth", "kitchen sponge cloth", "European dishcloth" or "Swedish sponge", but we just like to call it "sponge cloth". Whatever name it is called, it is an essential cleaning tool for any modern and sustainable home.

 

Widely used to replace paper towels and synthetic dishcloths, statistics have shown that almost every home in Sweden stocks this wonderful dishcloths. We know that paper towels are convenient to use, but they’re not eco-friendly. Since they can’t be recycled, about 6 million pounds of paper towels end up in landfills each year. Global paper towel production also requires an estimated 110 million trees and 130 billion gallons of water to produce, it is simply not the way forward.

 

Additionally, kitchen sponges made from polyurethane and polyester are generally not recyclable because they contain a large quantity of petroleum-based materials which makes their recycling impossible.

 

By choosing sustainable alternatives like our sponge cloth, you are helping to solve the plastic crisis and reduce carbon emissions. By replacing your synthetic kitchen sponges and reducing paper towel usage with our plant-based sponge cloths, you not only save money, but also help manage waste and pollution.

 

These simple, smart, and pretty sponge cloths are made of 70% wood cellulose and 30% recycled cotton fiber. They are like a cross between a paper towel and a sponge, and they can do anything a sponge can do and most of the things a paper towel can do. You can soak up spills, wash and dry the dishes, use them like coasters, and clean most surfaces without leaving any lint behind.

 

Wash and let them dry after your clean up session. They dry fast and actually hardens thus preventing bacteria build up and unwanted smells.

 

Sponge cloths are biodegradable and compostable. This means when they reach the end of their life span (usually 9-12 months), if disposed of properly in a recycle bin, it can decompose quickly once it reaches a landfill. In a compost environment, it is capable of disintegrating quickly leaving no toxicity in the soil.

 

Key Benefits:
• Wash and dry dishes
• Wipe down countertops
• Clean your appliances
• Soak spills and clean messes
• Clean glasses and windows without leaving streaks and lint behind
• Wash car interior and exterior
• Cleans almost any surface

 

Product Features:
• 1 dishcloth can absorb water 15 times its own weight
• Ripple and diamond surface enhances its capability in picking up dirt and dust
• 1 dishcloth = 17 rolls of paper towels
• 70% wood pulp cellulose and 30% recycled cotton
• Compostable and biodegradable

 

 Material:
• Wood pulp cellulose
• Recycled cotton fiber

 

Product Specifications:
• Material is manufactured in Germany
• Printed & packed in China
• Size per dishcloth: 190mm x 170mm x 2mm
• Weight: 0.07kg

 

Package includes:
(a) 01 x Asanoha pattern sponge cloth OR
(b) 01 x Kikkou pattern sponge cloth OR
(c) 01 x Shippo pattern cloth cloth OR
(d) 01 x Seigaiha pattern sponge cloth

 

User Instructions:
Don't be alarmed when it hardens, it is in its normal state. If there's a spill, simply lay it on top of the spill and soak it up. If you need to wipe stains and dirt, simply dampen and soften it with water, add a little cleaning agent and you are ready to go!

 

Care instructions:
Washing your sponge cloth is easy. You can just rinse it out and let it air dry, or simply toss it into the washing machine or dishwasher. Since they are made of a mix of cellulose and cotton, they will shrink when exposed to high temperatures. Just be sure to turn off the drying cycle.

 

*Due to light and screen settings on different devices, colour of the product may look slightly different from the picture. All measurements are approximate and may vary slightly.