Add Cheer with Sustainable Swedish Sponge Cloths and Patented Greeting Clards®

Add Cheer to Chores with Eco-Conscious Products for Sustainable Living

After many years of designing witty T-shirts, tote bags, and other creative merchandise, Carla Scholz sought to find a new outlet for her passion that combined fun, practicality, and sustainability. Her journey led her to develop products that not only serve everyday needs but also promote environmentally friendly practices. In 2017, Scholz decided to channel her creativity into creating innovative solutions aligned with her growing interest in green living, aiming to make eco-conscious choices more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

One of her flagship innovations is the eco-friendly Soak iT Up Swedish sponge cloths, which are designed to replace traditional paper towels. These cloths, made from compostable cotton and cellulose, are capable of performing the same tasks as approximately 1,500 paper towels, significantly reducing waste and environmental impact. Their vibrant colors resist staining, and their cheerful designs add a touch of fun to daily chores, transforming routine cleaning into a more engaging and sustainable activity. This approach helps bring a sense of joy and positivity to eco-friendly living, encouraging more people to make greener choices.

"Dishcloths might not seem like a typical gift, but I love them because they're incredibly useful," explains Deb Brown, a gift expert at touchyourclientsheart.com. "People use them every day, and they often think of the giver whenever they reach for one. They’re a thoughtful way to add cheer to everyday routines."

According to reports from paperlessproject.com, Americans consume over 13 billion pounds of paper towels each year. If each person committed to using just one less roll annually, it could save approximately 544,000 trees. Such impactful statistics highlight the importance of switching to eco-friendly alternatives like Soak iT Up Swedish sponge cloths, which not only serve as practical cleaning tools but also contribute to conserving our planet’s resources. These products embody a simple yet powerful way to add cheer to chores while supporting sustainable living.

This awareness motivated Scholz to rethink her own paper usage habits and develop a fun, functional alternative that aligns with her values. Her products are designed to make environmental responsibility easy and appealing. "The next time you reach for a paper towel, ask yourself if you really need to use one," she advises. By making small adjustments, consumers can significantly reduce their ecological footprint without sacrificing convenience or effectiveness.

Scholz's mother, Ruth, who is 97 years old, is a big fan of these products. "They're practical and make great gifts," she says. "My friends are initially puzzled, but once they try them, they can't stop raving about how easy and cheerful they are to use." Her endorsement underscores the universal appeal and practicality of the products, making eco-conscious choices accessible to all generations.

Soak iT Up Clards®: Patent Granted!

The idea for Clards—greetings that transform into reusable cleaning cloths—came to Scholz after discovering Swedish dishcloths. She envisioned a product that could serve as a greeting and a cleaning tool simultaneously, turning a simple message into a delightful, eco-friendly gift. After several years of development, perseverance, and a bit of luck, Clards were born, with a patent granted to protect the innovative concept.

Clards are more than just greeting cards; they are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper-based greetings that often end up in the trash. These versatile items serve as a fun, practical gift that adds cheer to any occasion while promoting sustainability. Their unique design allows them to be reused repeatedly, reducing waste and fostering a more mindful approach to gifting. By combining the warmth of a greeting with the usefulness of a cleaning cloth, Clards exemplify how small changes can lead to a more sustainable lifestyle.

"Clards are the reason I started Soak iT Up," Scholz explains. "The development of Soak iT Up Cloths helped me establish vendor relationships, refine manufacturing processes, and determine the most effective designs for Clards. Securing a patent was a crucial step that allowed us to protect and grow this innovative product line." For more information, visit CLARDS.com.

Why Soak iT Up?

Soak iT Up Cloths and Clards transform practical Swedish sponge cloths into clever, fun gifts and greetings that add cheer to everyday routines. These products embody a commitment to making sustainable living simple and enjoyable, encouraging consumers to reduce waste while adding a touch of personality to their chores.

Our mission is to make it easy for everyone to use less, with products that feel good to give and even better to receive. Designed in the United States and manufactured both domestically and in Sweden, our eco-friendly Swedish sponge cloths are made with minimal supplies and inks, reducing environmental impact during production. The bright, cheerful designs not only add personality but also resist staining, maintaining their appearance through repeated use.

These versatile cloths have hundreds of uses—from cleaning dishes and surfaces to wiping up spills and even gardening. Their fast air-drying capability minimizes bacterial growth and odors, making them more hygienic than traditional sponges. They can be washed over 200 times in dishwashers or washing machines and sanitized in microwaves or boiling water, ensuring long-lasting durability. When worn out, they can be composted or chopped up to help retain moisture in your garden soil, closing the loop on sustainability.

We take eco-consciousness further by using minimal, recycled paper packaging that seals with the mailing label, reducing waste and plastic use. Our commitment to eco-friendly practices ensures that every aspect of our products supports a greener future while adding cheer to your chores.

GIVING

Soak it Up is proud to be a Minnesota Public Radio sustaining member. Contributions from sales support organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation, A Time for Trees.org, GiveWell.org, and others, helping promote environmental awareness and sustainability initiatives. This support aligns with the mission to add cheer to daily life through eco-conscious products that make a difference, both at home and in the community.