Dirty cloth storage

[TwoDrifters2]

Possibly the most boring post ever written, however…

I was just wondering what others do with their cleaning cloths after using them, and before there are enough for a full washing load.

For example, when you’ve cleaned the bathroom, and you’re left with a wet, dirty cloth. Where does that go?

Or after having wiped down all the kitchen surfaces last thing in the evening. Where does that cloth get put?!

I don’t like putting them in the wash together with bedlinen or clothing, so I usually wait until I have enough cloths for a load and then I can put them on a fairly hot wash.

But where do they go in the meantime? Does anyone else have this issue and have they come up with any original or creative ideas?!

I used to use a drawstring bag which would get wet and dirty, and then I washed it together with the cloths. But it was an eyesore in the kitchen.

I realise this is utterly a non issue and there are bigger things in the world to worry about. But every time I use a cloth, I face this conundrum, and it niggles at me.

Please someone tell me they have a good solution!

They go in with the regular laundry, or in a heap in front of the washing machine

Won't help you as you don't like washing them with other things but I just throw it in the washing machine. They all get washed in soap together anyway.

Do you have outside space? I put I sed dirty stinky cloths on the outside tap then add them to a load as I remember.

We have washing machine and tumble dryer stacked. Ontop is a plastic tub where all cleaning cloths, dirty tea towels etc go until ready to wash

Probably not a good answer for you, but I just hang them to dry somewhere (radiator/over the tap/towel rail) then put them in the washer ready for the next time it gets loaded and switched on.

I just give them a rinse and chuck them in the washing machine to go in the next wash.

I put them in the washing machine, along with tea towels and anything else small that needs washing but it too small for a full load. When I get to my normal load they all go in together. I strip wash them in the sink sometimes too.

For just kitchen side cloths, in immediately with whatever other regular laundry needs doing. For proper bathroom cleaning cloths, in a bucket waiting for enough dirty wash stuff to warrant a proper dirty wash eg with kids underpants or grubby towels etc - I put them all through with a pre wash and antibac vanish etc

In the washing machine and they just get washed with the next load.

I put them in a plastic basket under the sink in the utility room.

@Thortful I have the cloth heap of shame at times too

@Etinox Outside might be a plan. @Caspianberg I also like the tub idea!

And to everyone else who puts them in with other loads, maybe I need to just do that more often! It’s because usually I wash most things at 40° but dirty cloths I wash at a higher temperature, so I never mix the loads. But maybe I should!

Maybe get yourself a lidded bucket and use something like napisan in it so they don't fester

Myself I put them in a normal wash usually a dark wash, but then I have given them a good wash out by hand first - so long as its hot soapy water should be fine

I have a pile of cloths by the machine then put them in when I do a white wash as I do that on a hot wash

Hot wash with towels .

I'm the exact same op, I put all cloths together for a hot wash so end up with them in a washable bag next to the washing machine, but if people looked inside theyd get a shock! I definitely feel I need to use the hotter wash with them though so couldn't put them in with other stuff

@CallieOpie @Mamette A plastic tub/basket/bucket seems to be the way forward!

@stayathomer I knew I wouldn’t be the only one!

Thanks everybody. I am now perusing lidded buckets online

I put them in the washing machine if it's empty ready for when I next do a load or if it's full they go on the floor next to it!

I didn't like the horrible damp / mouldy smell caused by leaving them in a bucket so now we have a very small airing rail that clips on to our utility room radiator and I leave them there to dry. Then I put them in with the right colour wash as it goes on. I do this with all the flannels we seem to go through wiping down the baby after she eats too... sooooo many

My step mum and gran would clean sink and then leave the cloth soaking in dilute bleach solution overnight in the sink so I assume very seldom actually washed? I always thought that seemed a good idea but I never seem to have an empty sink!

@linerforlife Airing them first is probably a good idea if I can find some space!

@SwayingInTime Yes - whoever has an empty sink?!

I use a small ventilated basket near washing machine, as good for cloths to dry to prevent festering.

I often use vinegar or other chemicals when cleaning, so don't want to soak in a different one and potentially cause a dangerous reaction.

I then wash at 60 with other white towels and cloths - when enough for a load.

I also wash in dilute bleach in the sink, I don't leave them that long though, maybe half an hour, rinse and just hang on line, rain or shine until they dry and then reuse as they are only cleaning cloths, not dishcloths, so not near food

I have loads and loads of microfibres I use only for the kitchen under the sink. I also have a plastic basket I keep the dirty used ones in and put them on every evenint after cleaning the kitchen.