The Costco Find Shoppers Are Grabbing To Cut Back On Paper Towel Use (& If It's Worth It)

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Many consumers are trying to cut back on their paper towel use, and for good reason. During the COVID-19 pandemic, paper products became an impulse panic-buy for many consumers, and the subsequent scarcity caused by that panic-buying forced many to look for alternatives. Plus, paper towels are non-recyclable paper waste, meaning they are prone to clogging landfills — making them less than eco-friendly.

Costco's paper towels in particular have been declining in quality, with consumers panning them for being much thinner and less absorbent than they used to be. Fortunately, Costco has recently added a new product to its shelves that serves as the perfect alternative to wasteful, poorly made paper towels. The Not-A-Paper Towel product at Costco is a reusable dishcloth that falls somewhere between kitchen towel and paper towel. As of June 2025, it is listed for $10.99 in store or $15.99 online (shipping and handling included) for a 12-pack of four colorful designs.

You can wet them to polish surfaces and wipe up spills, or use them dry to dust. Each cloth is absorbent enough to use several times and can be thrown into the washing machine or dishwasher to be sanitized and used again. They can be a worthwhile investment for anyone trying to cut out or cut back on single-use paper towels.

Costco's Kirkland paper towels are one of the cheapest paper towel options out there, and they have risen to around $2 a roll (the online price for a 12-pack is $23.99). According to Statista, in 2020, 45 million Americans used eight or more rolls per month. If your household is within this range, even with this cheap option, you could still be paying at least $16 a month on paper towels. Not-A-Paper Towels are reusable and long-lasting. Even if you throw one out after only a week of use, a 12-pack will still last you around three months. Using these in lieu of paper towels will save you money and help save the planet all at once.

Costco's Not-A-Paper Towels are made of a mix of polyester and polyamide, and they feel more like cloth than paper. They are similar to the Swedish dishcloths at Costco but can withstand a tumble dryer, and their soft texture makes them better for polishing glass. Reviewers on TikTok and Instagram say they are absorbent and clean well. The company that makes them is woman-owned, and the towels are incredibly cute! There are four different packages to choose from, with four different designs per package.

Unlike paper towels, which are unsightly and often hidden in cabinets, you can proudly display Not-A-Paper Towels. This Aoravvik napkin holder would be a cute way to display them on your kitchen counter within easy reach.

Although Costco's Not-A-Paper Towels are made entirely from second-hand fibers, they are synthetic and not biodegradable or compostable. Swedish dishcloths are a greener choice since they are made of organic materials including wood pulp and cotton. Also, most Swedish dishcloth brands, such as HOMEXCEL Swedish dishcloths are cheaper than the Not-A-Paper Towels; however, they aren't as multifunctional. Of course, to go completely zero-waste, the best option would be an infinitely reusable towel made of biodegradable materials, such as this Wild & Stone organic cotton dish cloth.

There are also some messes for which you may want to stick with traditional one-use paper towels over a reusable option. According to the USDA, you should clean raw meat spills with a disposable paper towel or disinfectant wipe. If you do plan to use a cloth-like substance such as a dish towel or Not-A-Paper Towel, you need to sanitize it on extremely high heat afterwards.

But even if you still use paper towels for bacteria-laden clean-ups, turning to Costco's Not-A-Paper Towels for everything else will ease the strain on your wallet and the environment. And at $10.99 for 12, there's nothing stopping you from trying them out for yourself.