When I asked for advice on eliminating paper towels, we had already been out of paper towels for a few days. I figured it was as good a time as any to quit and, like I said earlier in the month, jumping in with both feet seems to work for me. I read through the comments and thought about the suggestions for a few days while I washed and rewashed the same three dish towels. Ashlea recommended this post on giving up paper towels, which I thought was good. I took it as a sign that Kelly from Imperfect Homemaking stores her towels in the same small drawer I have to the right of the sink.
I told the family what we were doing and that we are in Phase 1 of a multi-phase plan. As predicted, they cared not a wit.
Phase 1 is about replacing the paper towels, which I did with bar mop towels. They were the cheapest by far at 60 towels for less than $20.
I was able to fit 25 of them in the drawer to the right of the sink by folding them in half and rolling them like little cigars. It looks fussier than it was because it took me no time at all to do. The remaining towels I placed in an old basket (from Mikey’s nursery) under the sink.
Phase 2 will include hand towels for drying hands (duh) but since I was able to find a pack of 60 bar mop towels, it’s not as pressing as it was earlier this week.
We still have paper towels in our house, but we rarely use them. I think I really only use them for cleaning windows (towels leave fuzz, and I hate fuzz) and sopping up bacon grease (towels aren’t so great at that either). Towels do a better job for pretty much everything else anyway.
Now, if I get some microfiber cloths for the windows…they’ll pretty much just be bacon paper towels. And I can live with that. :-)
I’ve been doing a lot of reading on the subject, and people use paper bags or newspaper for bacon. I’m not a fan of either. Since I make my bacon in the oven I never have to use paper towels, so I’m good!
The bar mop towels are a great idea! Where did you find them?
Sam’s Club, but if you’re opposed to WalMart I’m sure Costco carries something similar.
Thanks!
Glad Kelly’s post inspired you! I hope her method works for you.
Keep me posted on how you deal with stained towels. I have done what you are doing on a smaller scale, and haven’t gotten rid of PT, but have cut way back. It seems I have a big supply of once white and now ugly stained towels. I know they are clean and bleached, but this is not the look Martha would go for. oh well. . . . . .it’s green and I guess that’s what we’re going for.
I know this doesn’t help since you already have white, but I bought some deep purple towels once and have discovered that’s a great colour as I can hardly see the stains and they don’t bother me at all.
I love love love my bar mops. They have just enough texture that they can scrub a little bit. And if you’re into simplicity: in my house, they have replaced oven mitts, dish towels and hand towels. I mean, they work perfectly well for all those things–why give yourself more laundry?
Agree with keeping it simple and multipurpose!
I bought cheapo washcloths from Target (green for kitchen) and Home Goods (blue for bathroom) for cleaning, and have lovely tea towels or hand towels for drying hands. We occasionally use paper towels, but I try to compost them whenever possible. It’s been such an easy transition, and I particularly like having a thicker barrier between you and a less-than-pleasant mess (the gunk in the sink, the mess made by the cat, the toilet etc) than paper provided.
Good for you!
For handwashing, could you buy more bar towels, or dedicate some of your current stash as hand towels. Maybe try dying them with RIT dye or something to show the difference between hand towels and paper substitutes? Those are just so inexpensive, why make life more complicated with a different style?
You know, my multi-phase plan was back when I thought I was going to have 20 bar mops. Now that I have 60 (!!!) I don’t see myself buying any other towels anytime soon, unless I want them out for decoration.
60!!! You’re all set!
I just thought of one other reason to keep a roll of paper towels stashed somewhere: broken glass. Two glasses crashed onto the kitchen tile on MONDAY and here it’s Friday and I’m still sweeping it up. This was bad…glass was in the dining room, entry and living room. (And it was my own fault. Phooey.)
Anyway, I’d rather sweep up broken glass and wipe up with a paper towel than use a cloth towel.
I have been using white washcloths for years as napkins, papertowels.
I still buy paper towels and use them literally just for cat barf. I am not going to wash cat barf out of a cloth. Just no.