Between wiping down counter tops, cleaning up spills, drying your hands, or even using them as napkins while eating, you probably go through way more paper towels than you think. It’s pretty easy to go through an entire roll in a week’s time, with that money going right down the drain.
Then you grab another, and another. Before you know it, you’re creating tons of waste and literally throwing money in the trash.
If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and zero waste way to clean up kitchen messes, then reusable paper towels are one of those swaps that once you switch, you will never want to go back! It’s simple and easy to introduce into your cleaning routine.
So, if you’re wondering a little bit more about how to make the switch to reusable paper towels, we’ll answer all your questions here!
What are Reusable Paper Towels
Sometimes called “unpaper towels,” reusable paper towels are durable, washable cloths designed to replace traditional rip and use paper towels made from tree fibers. They work much like the disposable version you're used to, except you can toss them in the wash and use them again!
Unlike traditional paper towels that get thrown away after one use, reusable paper towels are an eco-friendly kitchen towel alternative, made from durable fabrics like cotton that can handle repeated washing. You can use them to wipe up spills, clean countertops, dry dishes, and tackle plenty of other household messes.
They can be rolled up on a wooden paper towel holder and kept in your kitchen, so they’re just as convenient as traditional paper towels.
Why Make the Switch to Reusable Paper Towels
There are many types of eco-friendly paper towels, ranging from rolls made from recycled paper or alternative fibers, but many of them are still designed to be thrown away after each use. This can be more eco-friendly, but anything you use once and throw away isn’t sustainable, and doesn’t help you save money or reduce waste.
That’s where ZWS Essentials Reusable Paper Towels come in. These reusable paper towels are meant to be reused over and over, and are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. They come in packs of 12 or 24, so you can choose which one fits best for your family size and lifestyle. Each towel measures 10 by 10 inches, making them a convenient size for everyday kitchen tasks like drying your hands or cleaning up messes.
They come in several color options, including earth tones, greyscale, white, and a fun lemon print, so you can choose something that looks right at home in your kitchen! This is a great way to add a pop of color to your home, without that boring white paper towel roll sticking out like a sore thumb.
And if you love the convenience of grabbing a towel straight from the roll, you're in luck! These organic cotton kitchen towels can be easily stored on a wooden paper towel holder, just like the disposable version! They’re a great way to show some personality in your kitchen while still being super functional and sustainable.
A Simple Way to Reduce Everyday Kitchen Waste
Swapping to reusable paper towels helps reduce the number of single-use products heading into your trash can. Instead of throwing away a handful of paper towels every time you clean, you can rinse or wash your reusable cotton towel and use it again.
It's a particularly easy change if you're already trying to reduce waste and be more eco-friendly in other areas of your kitchen.
Other easy swaps to reduce your kitchen waste:
- Compostable trash bags instead of traditional plastic
- Biodegradable scrubbers and sponges instead of standard sponges
-
Wax wraps instead of plastic tupperware
Save Money on Disposable Paper Towels
Paper towels might not seem like a major household expense, but buying roll after roll can add up over time.
Reusable towels require a larger initial purchase, but you aren't constantly restocking them. A quality set of cotton towels can last through repeated washing, saving you money compared with regularly purchasing disposable rolls.
Of course, how much you save depends on how frequently you use paper towels, how long your reusable towels last, and the cost of washing them.
But not having to add another package of paper towels to your grocery list every week? That’s a good swap for both your wallet, and the environment.
A Versatile Swap for Sustainable Everyday Cleaning
Reusable paper towels aren't just for wiping down kitchen counters.
You can use them for plenty of household tasks, including:
- Cleaning up water and beverage spills
- Drying your hands
- Wiping down appliances
- Dusting furniture and shelves
- Drying clean dishes and utensils
- Cleaning mirrors and other household surfaces
For particularly greasy messes, raw meat juices, or other contamination concerns, use the appropriate cleaning solution, and wash the cloth immediately in hot water afterward. You may still prefer a disposable option for certain extra messy tasks like pet accidents or potentially hazardous liquids, and that's okay!
The goal is to replace as many unnecessary single-use towels as you reasonably can, not make your cleaning routine more complicated.
How to Use Reusable Paper Towels
Making the switch and implementing reusable paper towels into your kitchen is pretty straightforward, but there are a few tricks that can help make these cotton dish towels feel just as convenient as the disposable ones you're used to.
Start With Your Everyday Kitchen Tasks
If you've never used reusable paper towels before, start small.
Try replacing disposable towels when drying your hands, wiping down the kitchen table, or cleaning up water around the sink. These are easy tasks that don't usually leave your towels especially dirty.
Once you're comfortable with the swap, start using them for more of your everyday cleaning.
You also don’t have to only use them once and wash them immediately. If you’re simply cleaning up some water spills or drying your hands, you can continue to use the same towel the same day by letting it air dry before grabbing it again for another similar task.
ZWS Essentials Reusable Paper Towels are made from ultra-absorbent organic cotton, which actually becomes even more absorbent with continued washing. You can also rinse and wring out a towel before wiping to help it absorb liquids more effectively.
Keep Your Reusable Towels Within Reach
Here's one thing that can make or break any kind of zero-waste, eco-friendly swap: convenience.
If your reusable towels are tucked away in a drawer while a roll of disposable paper towels sits right next to the sink, which one do you think you're going to reach for?
Keeping your reusable towels somewhere visible and accessible makes it much easier to remember to use them.
You can stack them in a basket or fold them in a drawer, but we recommend doing the same as you would with your disposable paper towels: store the roll on the countertop with a paper towel holder.
The ZWS Reusable Paper Towels come on a traditional cardboard tube, just like you’re used to! They’re also super clingy, so they roll up easily after washing. Just roll up your reusable paper towels directly on the ZWS Essentials Wooden Paper Towel Holder, or around the cardboard tube.
Simply slide a prepared roll onto the wooden dowel, or roll the towels directly onto it before returning it to the base.
It's a practical option if you like the familiar look and convenience of a traditional paper towel roll. The wooden holder also offers a simple, plastic-free addition to your kitchen countertop.
Just remember that the holder and towels are sold separately. However, unlike disposable paper towels…once you buy them, you’re set!
How to Wash and Care for Reusable Paper Towels
You don't need a special laundry routine to keep your reusable paper towels clean and ready to use again and again. You most likely already wash a load or two of kitchen linens a week, like cotton dish towels, cheesecloth, or aprons: so all you need to do is throw these in too!
How often you need to wash them will depend on how many you have, and how much you’ve used them throughout the week.
How to Wash Reusable Paper Towels
ZWS Essentials Reusable Paper Towels can be machine washed in warm or cold water with similar colors, and you should not use with bleach. If you’re looking to make sustainable, plastic-free swaps all around your home, you should definitely look into a plant-based laundry detergent like Dropps. You can then tumble dry on low heat, or air dry for an even more sustainable option.
The towels you will receive aren't prewashed, so we recommend washing them first, and when you do, you may notice a little shrinkage after the first wash. This is normal, and actually will enhance their absorption!
For everyday cleaning, you can generally add them to your regular laundry. Towels used for heavily soiled or potentially contaminated messes should generally be washed separately using an appropriate cleaning cycle.
Pro Tip: Have a System for Used Towels
One of the biggest adjustments when swapping to reusable paper towels is figuring out what to do with them after they're dirty.
For lightly used towels, a quick rinse may be enough before hanging them to dry and using again soon after.
We recommend just collecting all of your kitchen linens in a basket or hamper throughout the week, and throwing them all together in one load. However, you should avoid tossing soaking wet towels into a closed container where they'll sit for days. Let them dry before adding them to your laundry pile, or wash them promptly.
Having enough towels on hand also makes a difference. While one batch is in the laundry, you'll still have clean ones ready for the next spill.
How Long do Reusable Paper Towels Last
Unlike disposable paper towels, which last for a single cleaning task, reusable cotton towels are designed to handle repeated use.
Their lifespan depends on how frequently you use them, what you're cleaning, and how well you care for the fabric.
Reusable paper towels are designed to be reused for years with proper care. When they're no longer in good enough condition for your everyday kitchen tasks, you can give them a second life as cleaning rags.
And once they're completely worn out, the cotton material can be cut into smaller pieces and composted, provided it hasn't been contaminated with substances unsuitable for composting. As always, be sure to check your local composting regulations!
Reusable Paper Towels vs. Cotton Dish Towels: What's the Difference?
You might be wondering why you need reusable paper towels when you already have a stack of cotton dish towels sitting in your kitchen drawer.
Both are reusable fabric alternatives to disposable paper towels, and there's plenty of overlap in how you can use them.
Traditional cotton dish towels are often larger and work well for drying dishes, covering bread dough, handling clean kitchenware, and drying your hands. A lot of people also like having designated linens for certain tasks.
Reusable paper towels tend to be smaller, making them especially convenient for quick spills, wiping counters, and everyday cleaning tasks where you might normally grab a single paper towel.
Many reusable paper towels are also designed to roll together, so you can keep them on a holder instead of digging through a drawer every time you need one.
You might also want to look into a kind of happy medium, like Swedish Dish Cloths, which are another great reusable kitchen swap.
More Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Kitchen
Once you start replacing disposable paper towels, you might notice a few other kitchen products that could use a sustainable upgrade.
Consider swapping disposable sponges for washable dishcloths, choosing reusable food storage containers instead of single-use plastic bags, or using refillable cleaning products to cut down on packaging.
You can also take a closer look at the ingredients in your dish soap, surface cleaners, and other products you use regularly.
Make Reusable Paper Towels Part of your Day
If you've been looking for an easy way to cut down on disposable products in your kitchen, reusable paper towels are a great place to start.
They can handle most of the same everyday cleaning tasks as traditional paper towels, with the added benefit of being washable and reusable. Plus, with organic cotton options like ZWS Essentials Reusable Paper Towels and a wooden paper towel holder to keep them handy, making the switch doesn't have to mean changing the way your kitchen is organized.
Keep a few within reach, toss them in the laundry when they're dirty, and grab a clean one the next time there's a spill. Before long, you’ll wonder why you ever purchased the disposable versions in the first place!
