13 Paper Towel Hacks That Make Cleaning In The Kitchen A Breeze

Oh, the paper towel. It's the unsung hero of modern kitchens. Ever since the 19th century, it's been our best ally for soaking up spills, wiping hands mid-recipe, and tackling tough cleaning jobs. You might think that you know everything there is to know about paper towels, but what if that wasn't true? What if we told you, actually, that there are many paper towel hacks that can make cleaning your kitchen feel like a walk in the park? Whether it's grease, dust, or grime buildup, there's very little a simple sheet of paper towel can't clean.

The paper towel has many secrets that you've been missing out on, including its ability to soak up bacon grease, clean appliances, and make stained plastic containers look brand new. In some cases, you might be missing out on these clever ways to use paper towels because, out of habit, you tend to reach for a sponge or cloth instead. In other cases, it's by pairing a paper towel with something else, like a fork or a mop, that you'll be able to clean the deepest nooks and crannies of your kitchen.

While there are many other simple paper towel hacks that you can try at home, like germinating plants or making ice packs, the ones below are specifically for keeping your kitchen clean. Instead of buying fancy new cleaning supplies, chemical solutions, or complicated brushes, a humble paper towel might do the trick in these situations. It's likely you already have what you need at home to try these easy and affordable hacks, so why not? In most cases, there's no need to empty an entire roll of paper towels either; just one or two pieces are all you need.

You know the awkward little space between your kitchen counter and your stovetop? Cooking oils, food spills, and bacteria love to lodge themselves in there. And oftentimes, when you're cleaning the counter with a sponge or cloth, a simple wipe isn't enough to really dislodge the grime built up in that tight corner. Instead, grab a fork and cover it with a sheet of paper towel. Then, run the fork along the side of the stovetop. The fork will scrape the grime off, while the piece of paper towel will collect it.

If you have a panini or sandwich grill, you're probably familiar with the nasty residue that every meal leaves behind. Because this is an appliance that directly comes in contact with your food, it's best to avoid using chemical cleaners. Instead, grab a few sheets of paper towels, soak them in water, and place them in the sandwich grill. Then, turn the machine on, as if you were cooking a panini. The water will heat up to melt the grease and food residue, which will be absorbed by the paper towel.

Bakers know that getting sticky dough off wood is tricky. Sponges tend to slide over the sticky dough, not really removing it effectively, while steel wool can work but ends up full of dough and is hard to clean afterwards. Instead, use a wet paper towel! This effectively grabs onto the dough, and when you're done, you can just toss it in the trash. Whether you're cleaning a bowl or a board, it's an effective and headache-free way to make cleaning after baking a whole lot easier.

If you've ever tried to clean the top of your kitchen cabinets, you've probably had the uncomfortable realization that dust doesn't mix well with cooking oils and fumes: It turns into a sticky layer that's a nightmare to remove. To deal with it, put paper towels on top of your kitchen cabinets, and thank us later. We're not talking about wiping it off, but rather covering the entire top of the cabinet with a protective layer of paper towels instead, and replacing it every few months. In this case, defense is the best offense.

So let's say you've spilled ketchup on the kitchen counter. Your first instinct is probably to grab a paper towel, and you're not wrong. But instead of wiping it off and making a big mess, place a sheet of paper towel next to the spill. Cover the paper towel with a cutting board, leaving just enough of it sticking out for you to grab. Holding the cutting board at an angle, Slowly push it and the paper towel towards the spill while pulling the paper towel back toward you, and perfectly remove it from the counter.

If bacon wasn't so delicious, we probably wouldn't cook it so often, simply because of the mess it leaves behind every single time. If you've ever tried to cook bacon in a microwave, chances are you didn't do it twice. But actually, if you line the plate with a paper towel, place the bacon on it, and add another paper towel layer on top of the bacon, you'll be just fine. Instead of spraying all over the microwave, the grease will be caught in the paper towels, which you can toss in the garbage.

If you prefer to cook bacon in a pan rather than the microwave, paper towels are your friend, too. A few pieces of paper towels allow you to properly discard bacon fat and save your pipes. Sure, many people try to dump it in an empty tin can when they can, but what if you have none? Instead, let the bacon grease cool off slightly (but not harden) and soak it up with a handful of paper towels. Once all the grease is absorbed, toss the paper towel in the trash.

Can openers are tricky to clean because they've got that tiny blade that's tough to reach. While a sponge might not effectively get in there and dislodge any food residue, a paper towel can. All you need to do is use the can opener on a folded-up sheet of paper towel, as you would with a can. Turn the knob to make it move forward, picking up grime along the way. You can also use this hack to remove rust from the mechanism simply by soaking the can opener in white vinegar for about 30 minutes beforehand.

Clear plastic Tupperware containers have a major downside: they stain. Use it once with pasta sauce, and you'll have a red container until the end of time. Unless, of course, you try this clever paper towel hack. Fill the container with some dish soap, warm water, and a handful of paper towel sheets. Close the Tupperware tightly, and start shaking. Do this for at least two minutes before emptying and rinsing the container, which should now be a bit clearer. It's always best to tackle stains as soon as possible, but this will at least give it a refresh.

Flat mops like IKEA's PEPPRIG or the Swiffer Sweeper are great, but they do require you to continuously purchase disposable pads. If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative, try paper towels. Use a few attached sheets of paper towels instead of a disposable pad. You can use it dry to pick up dust or to wipe a spill or mud. You can also spray the paper towels with a bit of cleaning solution before attaching them to the mop to give your floor a proper shine.

Sure, a flat mop and paper towel combo is perfect for floors, but what about windows? Use the same approach as with floors: attach a section of paper towels to the flat mop. But instead of using it on the floor, use it to wipe the upper section of your kitchen windows, which get full of grease and are hard to reach. To make this hack more efficient, spray the paper towels with some window cleaning solution beforehand, and voila. This also works great for tall and hard-to-reach windows, like skylights.

After cooking a big bowl of pasta, not everyone wants to spend hours doing the dishes. Luckily, paper towels can help clean pots more easily. Take your dirty pot, fill it with an inch of water, dish soap, and a handful of paper towel sheets. Then, close the lid and hold it on tightly with your thumbs while shaking the pot around. After a minute or so, open the lid, toss the paper towel into the trash, and empty out the water. Now all you need to do is rinse, and your pot is sparkly clean.

Paper towels are a great way to prevent tea leaves and food particles from going down the drain. This is especially useful if, like most people, you don't want to clog your drain. To do this, lay a sheet of paper towel over the drain in your sink. Dump whatever you're cleaning out, like your teapot, French press, or cereal bowl. The paper towel will hold the solid particles, while the liquid will seep through and go down the drain. Afterwards, you can fold the paper towel over and throw it out.