As a former paper towel addict, I can attest to the fact that it is possible to give up paper towels. We have been on the same roll of paper towels for over a year now. Giving up paper towels is good for the environment and for your wallet. Only recently have I started using them again to make Homemade Hand Sanitizing Wipes; although, my plan is to try to use reusable cloths cut from old t-shirts for my next batch.
Going cold turkey may sound impossible but it’s a lot easier than you think. Here is my list of paper towel alternatives:
- A large stack of washcloths
That’s it. I use washcloths for everything – washing dishes, cleaning countertops, cleaning bathroom sinks and toilets, dusting, wiping hands and faces, removing makeup and more. I have cheap, standard washcloths for the cleaning stuff and I use those thin, soft, baby washcloths (gifts from a baby shower) for removing makeup or cleaning faces. I even cut up old towels to make my own washcloths.
I have heard some concerns about the washcloths collecting germs and bacteria. That is why I wash them frequently – as in after every use, which is something that you can’t do with sponges. So after I wipe down the kitchen counters, I throw it in the wash. I never reuse a washcloth after cleaning the toilet or something equally germy. And I just put the cloths in with my towels and sheets so I don’t have to run them in a separate load.
Washcloths have an abrasive surface that paper towels and sponges don’t have so they actually clean more effectively. And even the cheap ones last way longer than a sponge. I have been using the same set for 11 years!
The best part about using wash cloths for cleaning is that I don’t have to spend any more money on paper towels. We used to go through a roll of paper towels at least every week. Now I’m saving over $86 per year!
If you really really care about the environment, you can choose organic cotton washcloths. Otherwise, plain old cotton wash cloths will do the job.
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