You can’t get through everyday activities and household chores without spilling, spattering, or dropping something that’ll need cleaning up. When that happens, chances are you’ll reach for some paper towels or tear some off a roll.
But let’s pause for a minute and think of all the waste we are generating in the name of convenience.
According to a study, the US is the largest consumer of paper towels globally, accounting for nearly half of the $12 billion spent on paper towels.
And from the looks of it, our paper towel consumption is increasing from 321.87 million Americans in 2020 to 331.16 million in 2024. Thankfully, there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives to paper towels that can help kick this habit away for good.
In this blog, we share 15 reusable and planet-friendly paper towels alternatives.
Table of Contents
- 15 Practical and Convenient Paper Towel Substitutes
- 1. Swedish Dishcloth
- 2. Reusable Organic Cotton Cloth Towels
- 3. Newspaper
- 4. Beeswax Wraps
- 5. Scrub Sponges
- 6. Microfiber Cloths
- 7. 100% Recycled Paper Towels
- 8. Bamboo Paper Towels
- 9. Bamboo Dish Cloth
- 10. Linen Bread Bags
- 11. Compostable Flannel Cotton “Notpaper” Towels
- 12. Flour Sack Kitchen Towels
- 13. Reusable Cloth Bowl Covers
- 14. Unpaper Towels
- 15. Tear Away Paperless Paper Towels
- How to Wash Your Paper Towel Alternatives
- Final Thoughts
15 Practical and Convenient Paper Towel Substitutes
1. Swedish Dishcloth
When it comes to moping up spills and wiping down countertops, Swedish Dishcloth is all the rage. And for good reason. They’re spun from organic cotton and biodegradable cellulose, which helps them absorb up to 20 times their weight.
Plus, you can run them in the dishwasher or toss them into the washing after full cleanings. You can just as easily rinse them off in the sink. It’s estimated that a single Swedish dishcloth can replace about 17 paper towel rolls.
Here’s a pack of 5 colorful dishcloths to warm up to the idea of them replacing your paper towels. The best part? Not only do these dishcloths hold up well for about 50 uses, but they can also be composted at the end of life!
2. Reusable Organic Cotton Cloth Towels
Cotton has been a kitchen staple for as long as one can remember. Its highly absorbent, soft, fast-drying, and durable properties make it perfect for drying dishes (including fine china), mopping up spills, and cleaning countertops.
Our plaid kitchen towels are made from 100% organic cotton fabric and available in a host of eye-catching patterns such as plaid, windowpane, and striped.
If you don’t already own cotton kitchen towels, a pack of 6 of these would be a great place to start. They come with a hanging loop to set them up on a towel rack or door knob once you’re done with the chores.
Unlike paper towels and some of its alternatives, these kitchen towels can be washed and reused again and again. It won’t be long before they become your trusty kitchen workhorse!
3. Newspaper
Here’s a budget-friendly alternative to paper towels: newspapers. Instead of throwing old newspapers in the trash, use them to remove streaks and smudges from glass surfaces.
They tend to be more absorbent than paper towels as they are designed to soak up ink. This makes them perfect for wiping down glass windows and mirrors spotless.
They’re also readily available in most homes. And their generous size acts like a paper towel roll, allowing you to tear off just as much as you need.
4. Beeswax Wraps
More and more homes are switching to beeswax wraps to pack lunches and cover leftovers. As the name hints, these zero-waste wraps are typically made of organic cotton coated with food-grade beeswax.
Some of them even contain plant oils and tree resin. Their ultra-thin construction and high breathability keep food fresh for a long, making them an excellent alternative to paper towels and plastic clingfilms.
We use them for everything from wrapping snacks to food prepping to storing leftovers. Unlike single-use paper towels, beeswax wraps are washable and easy to reuse.
5. Scrub Sponges
Scrub sponges are another budget-friendly alternative to paper towels that are easily available in every home. In fact, paper towels are no match for these sponges when it comes to absorbency and durability.
If using a Scotch-Brite scrub sponge for other chores than cleaning dishes feels a bit odd, grab this pack of pop-up sponges. Made from absorbent and soft organic cellulose, Norpro natural sponges make cleaning kitchen appliances, cookware, and tableware a breeze.
Don’t be alarmed if you see them flat, thin, and compressed on arrival. You can make them ready for the job by immersing them in water and watching them expand to their full size.
6. Microfiber Cloths
Absorbency, reusability, and durability - these microfiber cloths fare high on every parameter! The fact that they can absorb about 7 times their weight is a testament to their impressive cleaning prowess.
You can use them to wipe down delicate surfaces, remove grease from the microwave, and dry pots and pans. What’s great is that they do all this without leaving behind scratches, streaks, or lint.
Stick them in the washer when they’re fully soiled and watch them come out smelling fresh and looking new. If you’re looking for recommendations, we think this pack of 12 microfiber cleaning cloths by Mr.SIGA will make a great addition to your kitchen cleaning arsenal.
7. 100% Recycled Paper Towels
Granted that this isn’t exactly a reusable option, but these paper towels surpass regular paper towels in environmental friendliness simply because they are 100% recycled paper fibers.
They’re also free of toxic dyes and fragrances and whitened without chlorine. So, if you absolutely must buy paper towels to clean up spills and splatters, opt for these recycled paper towels.
You can further lower your carbon footprint by composting them instead of tossing them into the trash bin. We also love the plastic-free packaging these paper towels come in, which is fully compostable.
8. Bamboo Paper Towels
If you’re not quite there yet vis a vis cutting back on paper towels, bamboo paper towels are an alternative worth exploring. For starters, with bamboo, you don’t have to worry about deforestation.
It is, after all, one of the fastest-growing plants and, therefore, an easily renewable resource. As a kitchen towel, bamboo is soft, super absorbent, and effective at scrubbing the cooktop or wiping the microwave.
While they aren’t reusable like some of the other options on this list, bamboo paper towels are free of scents, dyes, and harsh chemicals and can be easily composted after use.
9. Bamboo Dish Cloth
When it comes to supporting an eco-conscious lifestyle, bamboo is making quite a name for itself. Take these 2-ply thick bamboo-based dishcloths, for example.
They far surpass paper in reusability, absorbency, and clean-up abilities. They are so soft that you don’t have to worry about your delicate glassware and fine china ending up with pesky scratches.
The Whiffkitch’s bamboo cleaning cloths feature a sturdy trim that helps it hold its shape wash after wash.
10. Linen Bread Bags
Avoid the temptation of reaching for your paper towels to cover your bread or snacks by bringing home these reusable bread bags.
Our paper and plastic-free linen bread bags are made from 100% cotton linen - a fabric that allows for just the right amount of airflow to preserve freshness and prevent the bread from softening.
We’ve designed them with a convenient drawstring closure and made them roomy enough to accommodate loaves and artisanal breads of various shapes and sizes. All in all, it is a far superior and planet-friendly option to single-use paper towels.
11. Compostable Flannel Cotton “Notpaper” Towels
As far as sustainability goes, Earthly’s “notpaper” towels check all the boxes. Their compostable flannel cotton construction gives them absorbency and softness that are ideal for kitchen duties.
You can get them in packs of 10 or 24 towels wrapped in pre-rolled, eco-friendly, and recyclable packaging. Their attention-grabbing patterns and size make them versatile enough to be used as tea towels or cloth napkins.
Avoid washing them in the dishwasher or washing them by hand. Instead, toss them in the washing machine for a deeper cleaning.
12. Flour Sack Kitchen Towels
Flour sack towels have been helping people get through their household chores since the 1800s. Back then, they were in the form of tightly woven sacks made from scraps of cotton and used to package and transport grains and flour.
Slowly, these sacks made their way into kitchens, often replacing kitchen towels, tea towels, and cleaning cloths.
Now, flour sack kitchen towels are seen in many zero-waste kitchens in place of disposable paper towels.
Our flour sack towels are true all-rounders. Besides cleaning, you can use these during cheese making, for straining nut milk, as a napkin, and as a baby’s burp cloth. Flour sack towels are simply that versatile!
13. Reusable Cloth Bowl Covers
Many people rely on paper towels to cover their food and keep it safe from dust and airborne pollutants. If you’re one of them, we’ve got an excellent option for you.
Our cloth bowl covers are made from 100% unbleached and dye-free flax linen and come in a variety of patterns you can mix and match. Their elastic edge hugs the bowl tight, securing contents and protecting it from contaminants.
These cloth bowl covers are compatible with glass, metal, ceramic, and wood bowls. Be sure to take them along with you on picnics, camping, and get-togethers for a fresh and healthy meal.
14. Unpaper Towels
Marley’s Monsters Unpaper towels are hugely popular paper towel substitutes made from pure cotton flannel - a fabric that gets more absorbent with every wash.
We love how they’ve kept the dimensions similar to standard paper towels to make the transition easier. You have the option of buying them in packs of 6, 12, or a roll of 24. Although these are single-ply towels, their carefully sewn edges work well to prevent fraying.
15. Tear Away Paperless Paper Towels
This one is for those who don’t want to give up on their paper towel rolls just yet. Fantasticlean’s kitchen towel roll is tearable, making it as close to the actual paper towel roll as it can get!
The microfiber material is soft, highly absorbent, and quick drying, helping you get rid of smudges and residue without leaving lint or streaks on dishes and surfaces.
While microfiber towels are reusable, the fabric in itself is not biodegradable and tends to shed tiny fibers during washing that can end up polluting the waterways. A better alternative? Organic cotton kitchen towels.
How to Wash Your Paper Towel Alternatives
Kitchen towels need frequent cleaning so they don’t end up becoming thriving hubs of bacteria and mold. Here are some tips to keep them clean and always smelling fresh.
- Collect the soiled kitchen towels you’ve used during the toss and toss them in the washing machine set to a gentle cycle. Avoid washing them with the rest of your laundry for hygiene reasons.
- For dishcloths that are natural and plant-based, like organic cotton, it’s best to steer clear of heavy-duty laundry detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners. The chemicals in these products can end up damaging the natural fibers.
- While air drying is the best way to dry your kitchen towels if you absolutely must run them through a dryer, then opt for the lowest heat setting. Toss in wool dryer balls to quicken the drying and preserve the natural fibers.
- With all the washing, dusting, wiping, and scrubbing they go through, chances are they’ll end up smelling bad. A proven hack to tackle the dingy, smelly, stained dishcloths is to immerse them in a concoction of baking soda, water, and vinegar.
Final Thoughts
With these reusable, tree-free, washable, and compostable options, there’s no more excuse to still use those wasteful paper towels. We hope our quick rundown of paper towel substitutes will help you choose the one that works best for you.