13 responses to “My journey away from paper towels”

1. 

   jpkittie November 17th, 2008 at 08:24

   that sounds fantastic! I have tried in the past & have failed…. I really just enjoy the paper towels — maybe I should keep trying

2. 

   frugal dreamer November 17th, 2008 at 09:45

   I too have stopped using paper towels. I use newspaper to wash mirrors and windows - you’d be very surprised just how well they work!

3. 

   Saver Queen November 17th, 2008 at 12:03

   Frugal Dreamer - I have heard of using newspaper but never knew if it really worked or not! Thanks for sharing the tip!

4. 

   sharon rose November 17th, 2008 at 13:59

   Hi there-a great tip and well done for putting these pretty ones back into use!!

5. 

   Yukongrrrl November 17th, 2008 at 14:31

   Don’t forget that those rags have an environmental cost too (water, detergent) - especially if you wash them in hot water. The environmental cost of paper towels can be reduced if you buy 100% recycled paper towel and if you have a municipal compost that accepts paper products

6. 

   Saver Queen November 17th, 2008 at 14:35

   Thanks Yukongrrl - good points!

7. 

   Dianna November 17th, 2008 at 14:52

   Hi - just last month I found some unused pretty colourful napkins and thought the same thing - start using them instead of paper napkins. We still use recycled paper towels at times for spills etc. but every little bit helps!

8. 

   Cara November 17th, 2008 at 16:12

   Great ideas, any ideas on where to find some pretty napkins for really cheap? I can’t say that I currently own any but I do use rags to clean and towels to dry hands! I still use paper towels for spills…

9. 

   Chetan November 17th, 2008 at 23:08

   Using washcloths instead of paper towels is a great idea (not to mention cost effective). My wife and I hit on a great idea to make it work - we have a ton of paper towels stored away, but never brought any out.

   Out of sight, out of mind, they say - it worked. Whenever I reached out my hand to the paper towel dispenser, it felt weird to find it empty. My hand then automatically reached for the washcloth/mop instead. We must have saved a bundle over the last few months.

10. 

    Saver Queen November 17th, 2008 at 23:20

    It just occurred to me to add one tip I forgot to mention. I read this in a Canadian Living magazine. Take your washcloths that you will use for cleaning and sew a thread along the side so that you can easily differentiate these cloths from the ones you use while bathing.

11. 

    Dianna November 18th, 2008 at 14:33

    Another point - I switched back to faceclothes with facial cleanser instead of those disposable one-time use makeup remover clothes.

12. 

    Andrea November 20th, 2008 at 23:56

    I use newspaper for mirrors and bathroom mirrors-they’re streak-free unlike papertowels that sometimes “smear” and then you waste more time trying to get out the smear marks. There’s no ink transferred to the mirrors, weird but true.
    Papertowels really do seem like a waste of money sometimes, but I do use them to clean the toilet-as they are thrown out one-time use only.

13. 

    Kristine November 21st, 2008 at 11:03

    We haven’t used papertowels for years but last week my Mother-in-Law sent me to buy some. Yikes!!! I couldn’t believe the prices. We cut up everything for rags - socks with holes, old bedsheets, clothes, you name it, we use them. Used dryer sheets are good to use as well because they pick up dust. Because we have so many rags (which we use regularly), if we use one for a particularly yucky clean up, we don’t feel too bad if we have to throw one away. Using newspaper and vinegar is really the best glass cleaner ever!!
    Oh and you can make your own napkins if you sew- I went to the “ends” bin at the fabric store and bought some very nice cotton that I made into pretty napkins using a bright coloured thread. I paired these with a few little goodies and gave them as a gift. As well, thrift stores usually have them.