Household cleaning can be a pretty tedious and monotonous activity so I always look for simple, inexpensive ways of making everyday chores a little more pleasant. I spotted these pretty Sarah Smith cleaning cloths in Sainsbury's and thought they would make a change from boring plain cloths.

I purchased a pack of ten multi-purpose eco-cloths for well under £2 which I think is excellent value, especially as these cloths are not only bright and attractive to look at but are also incredibly practical and long-lasting. The designs on the cloths are really colourful, contemporary and eye catching, making a real difference from most bland cleaning accessories. Mine have really bold flower designs which I feel are vaguely reminiscent of some of Cath Kidston's designs, being bright, floral and feminine. The cloths don't necessarily make me enjoy cleaning any more but they do look pretty which is probably as much as I can hope for.

The cloths are thick and absorbent enough to be used damp for various jobs around the kitchen and bathroom. I generally use them to clean around the bath and sink, in conjunction with some decent anti-bacterial spray. The cloths retain just enough water and cleaning product to clean thoroughly without dripping water everywhere, but stay moist enough for the job in hand. The fabric also dries very quickly between uses too.

Being multi-purpose, I also find these ideal to use as colourful dusters as the fabric used is slightly textured and ideal for wiping over my mantelpiece and television etc. I find that dust and dirt clings to the textured surface surprisingly well which prevents the dust from simply being dispersed elsewhere in the room.

The cloths are machine washable which is much more environmentally friendly than using disposable cloths or wipes. They are even made from 50 percent recycled polyester and use 'eco-printing' (certified free from substances harmful to humans and the environment), making these a product that any 'green' consumer can use with a clear conscience. It is recommended that the cloths are washed at 40 degrees, which is the temperature I tend to use for all of my laundry although a higher temperature might seem more hygienic, depending on what purpose they have been used for.

I've owned this set of cloths for several months and the surface of the fabric is now bobbling after repeated machine washing but the cloths haven't shrunk or torn at all. They don't look quite as pretty and bright as they were when I originally purchased them, admittedly, but they are far more pleasant to use and look at than boring old grey cloths and they are a very versatile product to use around the home.

I haven't tried any other Sarah Smith products but there are a range of different cleaning cloths and dusters from the same range stocked by Sainsburys and Waitrose. I think these are very practical as well as being a very pretty product so I am happy to recommend them. I will probably re-purchase these in the future as an economical and eco-friendly alternative to disposable cleaning wipes.