Part sponge, part dishcloth, these Swedish cleaner-uppers are indispensable. They are stiff sheets ($5.99 to $7.50), about 6 by 8 inches, in dozens of bright and whimsical designs. When wet, they soften and can hold 15 times their weight in liquid, according to Mark Bretheim of Cose Nuove, the importer of Swedish Dishcloths. No need for paper towels. Made with a blend of cellulose and cotton, the eco-friendly cloths are a staple in Scandinavian kitchens for wiping countertops, stainless steel, and glass, streak-free, with only water and no chemical cleaners. They dry quickly, too. Clean them in the dishwasher or washing machine. Even with continual use, they barely look worn. Bretheim designs many of the patterns and says, “The cloths get tons of fan mail.’’ Available at Black Ink Boston, 101 Charles St., Boston, 617-723-3883, and Black Ink Cambridge, 5 Brattle St., Cambridge, 866-497-1221, www.blackinkboston.com/store; Kitchen Outfitters, Acton Woods Plaza, 342 Great Road, Acton, 978-263-1955, www.kitchen-outfitters.com; Savoir Faire Home, 23 Barnard St., Andover, 978-409-6188, www.savoirfairehome.com.ANN TRIEGER KURLAND

Ann Trieger Kurland can be reached at atrieger@comcast.net.