Sometimes the simplest crochet projects turn out to be the ones we use the most! These colorful Cleaning Spots were originally designed as reusable whiteboard erasers, but they are also handy for dishes, everyday cleaning, and bath time.
A Handy Idea for the Classroom
Several years ago, I made some Whiteboard Cloths and hung them on Command hooks beside my whiteboards. They were AMAZING! I washed them once a week, and my boards had never been cleaner.
Even my granddaughter Lucy—who was two years old at the time—liked using them to clean the board after doodling.
When my daughter needed some new whiteboard erasers for her classroom, I offered to make them. She had colorful wipe-off dots hanging around the room, including the lime green and blue dots you can see behind Lucy in the photo.
That got me thinking: What if the erasers looked like the classroom dots?
And that is how the Cleaning Spots were born!
Cleaning Spots Crochet Pattern
The free crochet pattern is available below. These round cloths work up quickly, use a relatively small amount of cotton yarn, and include a built-in loop for hanging.
Quick Project Details
- Skill level: Easy
- Finished size: Approximately 6.5″ across
- Construction: Worked in continuous rounds, then joined rounds
- Gauge: Not needed for this project
- Great for: Whiteboards, cleaning, dishes, and bath time
Materials
- Yarn: 100% cotton yarn in your favorite color
- Crochet Hook: I (5.5mm)
- Notions: Yarn needle for securing and weaving in ends
- Optional: Stitch marker
Tips Before You Begin
- Place a stitch marker in the first stitch when working in continuous rounds.
- Beginning with round 3, work in the back loops only unless instructed otherwise.
- The final rounds are worked through both loops and create the hanging loop.
- Stitch counts are shown in parentheses at the end of each step.
Directions
1. With an I hook and cotton yarn, start with a magic circle of 5 sc sts—or use your preferred method for starting a circle of 5 sc sts. Pull the circle closed and place a marker for working in the round. (5 sts)
2. Work 2sc in each st to the end of the round. (10 sts)
NOTE: Work in BLO—back loops only—for each round from this point through round 9.
3. (sc, hdc) in the next st, 2hdc in each st to the end of the round. (20 sts)
4. *hdc, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to the end of the round. (30 sts)
5. *hdc 2, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to the end of the round. (40 sts)
6. *hdc 3, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to the end of the round. (50 sts)
7. *hdc 4, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to the end of the round. (60 sts)
8. *hdc 5, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to the end of the round. (70 sts)
9. *hdc 6, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat until 7 sts remain, hdc 6, (hdc, sc) in the last st. (80 sts)
Create the Hanging Loop
10. Sl st in the next st. This is the new start of the round. Work through both loops from this point forward.
Ch 1, 2sc in the same st, sc 7, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next st, ch 7, sk 5, sc in the next st, *2sc in the next st, sc 7*, repeat to the end of the round, sl st in the first st to join. (90 sts)
11. Ch 1, 2sc in the same st, sc 9, *2sc in the next st, sc 9*, repeat to the end of the round, sl st to join. (101 sts)
12. Sl st in each st to the end of the round. Finish off and weave in all ends.
Ways to Use Your Cleaning Spots
- Hang one beside a classroom or home whiteboard.
- Use one as a colorful dishcloth or kitchen scrubber.
- Keep one in the bathroom for washing faces and hands.
- Make several in different colors to help separate cleaning jobs.
- Add a few to a teacher-appreciation or housewarming gift.
These are especially fun in bright colors, but they would also be a great little scrap-yarn project if you have partial balls of cotton yarn waiting to be used.
Welcome to Weekly Wash Wednesday!
Each Wednesday, we pull another useful cloth, scrubber, or cleaning pattern out of the Snappy Tots laundry basket. Visit Snappy Suds to find more colorful cloth patterns and practical projects.
Common Crochet Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BLO | Back loop only |
| ch | Chain |
| hdc | Half double crochet |
| sc | Single crochet |
| sk | Skip |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| st / sts | Stitch / stitches |
| * * | Repeat the instructions between the asterisks |
Share Your Cleaning Spots
I would love to see the colors you choose and how you use your finished cloths! Share your project and tag @snappytots so we can enjoy your colorful Cleaning Spots too.
Happy crocheting—and may your whiteboards, dishes, and little everyday messes be much more colorful!
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