Is There a Good Alternative to Paper Towels?
Did you know that the United States is number one country in paper towel consumption?(source). Americans invest their money into items that are convenient, which includes many disposable items such as paper towels. According to the source above, global spending on paper towels was approximately $12 Million, and the United States took credit for $5.7 Million. That is a LOT of paper towels.
I've had a love-hate relationship with paper towels. They seem to be necessary when cleaning, but they are hard to use without wasting them. If you try and use a minimal amount, your hand ends up getting dirty when cleaning. I have questioned for years if paper towels were even necessary. Couldn't we use something else? Is there an alternative that proves to be equally as convenient that won't leave me scowling as I stare at our laundry room disappointed that we are out of paper towels, but I desperately need to clean a spill on the floor?
I knew there had to be a solution that worked for our family. I tried being creative and using items around the house; old socks with holes, shirts my toddler had outgrown, dish towels that got raggedy and stained. These proved to be okay solutions. It wasn't until I volunteered with our paintball team (Walk on Warriors) at the Daytona Speedway that I truly fell in love with using microfiber cloths.
Microfiber Cloths
I used to cringe when I thought of microfiber. I fall victim to dry feet and dry hands (which is why I clean and do dishes with rubber gloves!), and microfiber is that material that feels like it sticks to your dry skin 😬. However, these cloths are very common in the cleaning industry.
Car detailers use them to dry your car and to clean the windshield. They also work well for buffing other things, such as your mirrors and appliances. Restaurant workers and bartenders use them to wipe up messes and dry glasses.
Why are Microfiber Cloths a Good Substitute for Paper Towels?
Better for the Environment
Paper towels are a contributor to deforestation. According to this source, 17 trees and 20,000 gallons of water are needed to make one ton of paper towels. These handy little rectangles do not get recycled, and end up in the landfill with all of the other trash. As they decompose, they produce methane gas. To summarize, paper towels contribute to a TON of environmental issues, including global warming, water pollution, and deforestation. The source above also mentions that there is 3,000 pounds of paper towel WASTE every single day in the United States. Every. Single. Day.
Using a microfiber cloth allows you to clean up your mess, toss the cloth in the washing machine and prepare to use it again. A pack of these cloths could last you a year, or longer!
Cost Effective
Let's break down the cost of paper towels. Reviewed.com states that Bounty Select 2-Ply were rated the best paper towel brand of 2020. Let's take a look at the cost and estimate usage.
- Walmart sells this brand for $4.64 for two rolls of paper towels. Let's say your household uses 1 roll per week. Let's do the math.
- Your monthly cost would be $9.28 (before tax!)
- Your annual cost would be $111.36 (before tax!)
Microfiber cloths are cheap.....very cheap. You can get a 2 pack at Walmart with your grocery pick-up order for $0.98. You can find them at any of the mainstream stores in your community. They are everywhere, and they are CHEAP. If you buy them in bult, they are even cheaper. I tend to snag a few at Walmart in our orders as mentioned above. I also have gotten the at Dollar General. I find the most cost effective approach is to get them in bulk on Amazon or at Sam's Club. You can get 30-50 cloths for less than $20. This can last you a long time, and you won't need to stress about a last-minute Target run for a roll of paper towels.
**I will list a few places you can get microfiber cloths for a great price below**
Performance
In my experience, microfiber cloths are far more absorbent than paper towels. I am THAT person that despises getting my hands dirty when I have to wipe up a spill or mess, but also get instant guilt when I use too many paper towels. It was always a lose-lose situation for me. Switching to microfiber cloths eliminated this problem for me. I can clean virtually anything without a hassle. I can wash the mess off the cloth in the sink, and allow it to dry for further use. If it were too dirty to reuse, I add it immediately to the laundry and grab another from my stash.
Availability
Paper towels were one of many items that became sparse during the lockdowns. I saw two people fighting in Target over who got to have the last pack. When they became available in other places, people were stooping low and opening the package and stealing a roll out of the bag in order to get one for themselves.
I had started my microfiber stash before the lockdowns began in March and April of 2020, thankfully. I continued ordering more as needed, but had enough for us to get by with what cleaning needs we had. We never had to worry that we didn't have paper towels to clean anything during the lockdown, and haven't had a worry since!
Where Can You Find Microfiber Cloths?
Disclaimer: None of the links below are affiliate links. I am simply providing you with places you can get the cloths for a great deal!
Walmart
Amazon
Sam's Club
Dollar General
How to Store Microfiber Cloths
I keep my cloths in two places; under the kitchen sink, and in a basket in our linen closet. After multiple attempts at finding the best place to store them, I found this method works best for us. I always keep a clean cloth (or two) under the sink with my cleaning products. When a cloth is used, but gets rinsed and can be reused, I allow it to dry draped over the sink, and store it back under the counter. If I use a cloth just for spray, I store the cloth with my spray. The rest of the cloths get folded or rolled and placed in a basket, ready to go for the next cleaning adventure.
I keep a ton of stuff in that little basket under the sink. It comes in handy! I store the cloths in the front so I can easily grab one or store it away. Notice my handy-dandy rubber gloves, and of course my tub of Pink Stuff (if you haven't seen my post on this miracle product, click here!)
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