The Simple Hack That Will Help You Use Fewer Paper Towels

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If you're a fan of disposable paper towels, you may want to stop using them immediately. This is because the production of paper towels has had, and continues to have, a significantly damaging impact on the planet. The annual environmental cost of manufacturing paper towels is approximately 270 million trees and millions of gallons of water, contributing to deforestation and the depletion of crucial water resources. The production process also emits substantial greenhouse gases while, economically speaking, the average household spends around $180 annually on paper towels. 

There is a simple hack, though, that can instantly save you money while also reducing your environmental footprint. It involves ditching them completely and opting for an earth-friendly cloth alternative that can be thrown in with your regular laundry. There is no one right way to implement this hack, and you can spend as much or as little as you want on it. And, if you're handy with a sewing machine, you may not need to spend anything at all.

Replacing paper towels with cloth does take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you won't miss the disposable option. If you're sold on the idea of switching to cloth, you just need to ensure you get some made from the right material, alongside a good storage solution for them, and have a system in place for washing and restocking. Also, it's a good idea to talk to everyone in your household ahead of the switch so that they're all mentally prepared and on the same page. 

When selecting cloth towels, always make sure that they are made from an absorbent material, like cotton or microfiber. While linen can be used for cloth napkins, cloth paper towels require more absorbency. For storage, you can designate a kitchen drawer, present them in an aesthetically pleasing way, like in a decorative dish, or simply keep them tucked away in a container. It's a good idea to consider where you are currently keeping your disposable paper towels when deciding where to store your new cloth ones in order to lessen the impact of the change too. 

You may find that washing and restocking is the part that takes the most getting used to. For this hack, consider first coming up with an idea for a stylish laundry hamper for your kitchen. When your reusable paper towels need washing, as long as they aren't badly soiled with something that requires deeper soaking or stain treatments, you can just throw them in the hamper and add them to a load of laundry. 

Likewise, your cloth paper towels can be folded and put away like the rest of your laundry. Of course, investing in a set of beautiful reusable paper towels is always a good option. There's no need to spend a lot of money, or even any money at all, though. A pack of 24 microfiber cloths can be purchased for as little as $6. You can also cut up some cotton clothing and make your own reusable paper towels.