We Stopped Buying Paper Towels

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“Buy Buy” paper towels

The thought of not having paper towel in the home was unimaginable. We stopped buying paper towels recently as we venture on a savings journey, which means cutting back on some things.  I had this weird obsession with paper towels, I literally used it for everything. Mess on the floor, grab the paper towel. You need to blow your nose? Here’s some paper towel. You spilt a tiny drop of milk? Use the entire roll and clean it up. The dinner plates and bowls unfortunately don’t come with covers for unfinished meals, luckily there’s paper towel for that! Can you see the obsession? You have it too, don’t you? There’s a cure for that.

We mainly stopped buying paper towels to reduce the amount of chemicals we bring into the home. I always go for a more natural approach since my boys are always trailing behind me, especially when it’s time to clean.

As easy as paper towels made my life, use it and toss it, using alternatives is just as effective for mom life. The not so easy part: my 1 year old loves dragging the towels to the floor when I hang them over the oven handle. When he’s feeling ambitious, he’ll drag them around the house a few times. and then a few more times after that. He’s the over helpful kind, I love it!

I gained a little self discipline after we stopped buying paper towels. I love that all our towels and sponges are durable, reusable, and washable. It’s a tri”ble” threat! Ha! Get it? Can I just say how authentic my mom jokes are?

Tips for paper towel alternatives

Some helpful tips in using kitchen rags and towels, and paper towel alternatives:

• Buy similar or same color cloths to make laundry easier.
• Select 1 or 2 different color cloths for specific kitchen tasks. (Blue rags are for counters, red rags are for heavy cleanups, and white rags are for hands and food care, plus small messes.)
• Get enough rags and towels to avoid frequent laundry. I have a total of about 25 pieces of cloths and paper towel alternatives to last 2 weeks at a time.
• Hold onto the used cloths throughout the week until they are soiled or gathered to much mess
• Keep used cloths in a separate container or basket away from the unused ones to avoid any confusion for the family.

Sustainable Alternatives To Paper Towels

DISCLOSURE: THE LINKS BELOW ARE AFFILATED LINKS, MEANING, AT NO COST ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, I WILL EARN A COMMISION IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND MAKE A PURCHASE.

Chambray Napkins

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Kitchen towels and dish rags may not be the best decoration for the dining table (they are in my house, ha). But there are definitely days where I show some love to the dining area and bring some elegance to the table. Chambray napkins are perfect for just that. they’re light but durable. and great for dabbing of the mouth. Get them here.

Linen and cotton bowl covers

A one size lid that fits most? Found it! Instead of using paper towel to cover bowls, try these out. Not only do they protect your food, but they are resusable and washable. They’re great use for outside the home as well. These are a great replacement for plastic wraps and paper towels. Get them here.

Huck towels

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Huck towels are made of pure cotton fabric, typically for cleaning surgical instarments because of it’s durability. So if a sturdy towel is what you need, Huck’s your guy! These low-lint cloths are ideal for cleaning glass tables, windows, cars, countertops. and the list goes on. Did I mention they were reusable? Get them here.

Organic cotton cloth

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Small but mighty. These clothes are designed with loops for added scrubbing power. These are perfect for small messes. They’re also great for drying fruits and veggies, wiping little faces and fingers, and great for drying dishes. Get them here.

Sponge cloth

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This is one of my top favorite products in my kitchen. It’s ah-may-zing! I use it to wipe down the kitchen counter and stove top. It comes in a pack of 5 but the first sponge can last for months! that’s about 15 rolls of paper towels right there! It dries very well after each use and hold up well during laundry. they are absorbent and work well for heavy spills. This is a definite must. Get them here.

Newspaper and old clothes

And then ther’s my ultimate two favorite paper towel alternatives: newspaper and old, unworn clothes. They are both free in cost, and most likely readily available in the home. I have a stash of old, stained, ripped, unworn clothes that I use when it’s time to clean the unforgiving places, aka the bathroom toilet, sink, shower, etc. Just for some added emphases, they’re free!

Napkins all day? Not judgeing

 If switching to strictly cloth is not for you, try echo-friendly paper towel options.

• 100% recycled material
• Dye free (as in, put those cute little Valentine’s day napkin prints back on the store shelf!)
• Unbleached

A question for you

What would be the biggest challenging in making the switch from buying paper towels to using cloths and other alternatives?