Heavy duty cleaning cloths

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A little over a year ago, I made a holder for un-paper towels. While I love them and use them daily, I found I need a sturdier cloth for some jobs. The un-paper towels are perfect for any job where paper towels would do the trick but even though they're cloth instead of paper, something a little heartier is called for when it comes to more significant cleaning jobs.

Inspired by this post, I decided to make my own.

Basic tutorial: Illustrated from left to right above.

I used half a yard of terry cloth and half a yard of plaid flannel cut into pieces for twelve cleaning cloths. I have small hands and the finished cloths are approximately 6"x8" but could be made any size. 

1.) Cut your pieces, lay them together, and stitch around the edge making sure to leave a gap of at least a couple inches in the center of one side. Leaving the gap in the center makes it easier to fold the edges under before top stitching.

2.) Trim edges close to stitching. I used pinking shears but trimming 1/8" to 1/4" from edge would work just as well. It's easier to see the gap in the seam.

3.) Flip inside out. Using your finger on the inside, push the corners taught. Fold the loose edges in at the gap. It helps to pull outward on the side seams and the gap edges will want to follow the rest of the seam.

4.) Top stitch all the way around, including over the open gap. 

5.) Repeat and enjoy! 

These are sturdy, machine washable, and feel good in my hands. 

In many areas of life I find that I enjoy the work I do to a much greater degree if I enjoy the tools and materials with which I am working. In a culture of disposables, things need not be wonderful. If they get the job done we then throw them out. 

At our house, we strive to have fewer things with more purposes. If something is going to be used countless times over the years, I want it to be beautiful, to feel good, and to add to our lives by ease and breadth of use. I think these will do just fine!