The Eco-Friendly Paper Towel Alternative That's Chemical-Free

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There's a lot you can do with a rag around your home when it comes to cleaning and dusting, but sometimes, you just need a paper towel. They are good for quick messes or picking up unsavory things. However, even with simple hacks that will help you use fewer paper towels, you can end up going through them fast. Thankfully, if you're not quite ready to get rid of these disposable wipes, there is a more environmentally-friendly solution that involves bamboo.

Bamboo is fast-growing, biodegradable, doesn't need much water, and is easily renewable. Bamboo paper towels also break down a lot faster and are compostable, so you don't have to worry about paper towels lying around in a landfill for years. They aren't the only thing that can be made from this material to be more environmentally-conscious, either, as there are plenty of bamboo products to make the switch to a more sustainable home that you can try out.

The paper towels are usually chemical-free, like the Caboo Tree Free Paper Towels on Amazon. To get shiny white rolls, most companies have to use bleach. And that's just one of several chemicals you can come across while using disposable rags. With many bamboo alternatives, though, these treatments and additives are thankfully not much of a problem. 

Bamboo paper towels have a few other benefits too. For example, they are antibacterial. If you are someone who just quickly wipes an area with a paper towel and then throws it away, this may not be such a big deal. However, if you use them to dry your hands and then leave the used towel on the counter in case you need to wipe down something later, this could come in handy. They can build up bacteria, especially if they don't dry out fully, but bamboo paper towels help negate this somewhat. 

Additionally, these more eco-friendly rolls are pretty absorbent. Bamboo naturally absorbs water, and the fibers in the roll make each one durable. This means that if you can't get the spill up with one round, you can just gently wring out the one you are using and go again. Some companies even claim that if you fully rinse out and let the paper towel dry, the bamboo towels can be reused a few times. 

Plus, these can still function as paper towels. The reusable cloths are nice, but sometimes they just don't fit the task. You can still quickly wipe and toss with bamboo paper towels, if that's what you need in a given situation. This also means you can do things like try out the paper towel hacks that make cleaning in the kitchen a breeze.