The Best Paper Towel Alternative. Save Money and Reduce Waste.

You’ll find a roll of paper towels in almost every kitchen in America because they’re incredibly convenient, and perfectly suited for a wide range of jobs while prepping food, or cleaning up afterward. There are few alternatives that work as well, but when you use them everyday, the amount of paper towel waste created really adds up. If you think about how many sheets your household will use over several years, and where they go after you toss them in the trash, you’ll soon begin to wonder if there’s something better out there.

Could you possibly retain convenience, and clean just as well without using a disposable piece of paper?

The answer is YES. Of course you can.

There are many alternatives available, so anyone can eliminate paper towel use by switching to something different. You’ll easily reduce waste and spend less money by switching to almost anything different, but one option stands above the rest to claim the title of the best paper towel alternative available.

The other options are still viable, and any will help you to run a more Eco-friendly household, but if you want to choose the top option, continue reading to learn more about the stuff you can use instead of paper towels, and read to the end to find out why we say that our Reusable Bamboo Towel Roll is the best alternative to paper.

Why Use Something Different?

Paper towels are made from trees. Although trees are a renewable resource technically, they take many years to grow to full size, and have to be harvested in order to manufacture paper products. You can, of course, recycle after use due to the material, but based on how they’re used, very few paper towels actually get recycled, and most of them end up in the garbage can. These tossed out pieces of paper will eventually break down in the environment, but until then, they’ll be adding to the pile at your local landfill.

Because we use so many paper towels, the amount of waste created is pretty incredible, so even a partial reduction in use can make a real difference over time. Whether you choose a disposable option made from a more sustainable material, or a washable option that you can use over and over again, you’ll be doing your part to help the environment when you stop using regular paper towels, and switch to a good alternative.

Top 3 Paper Towel Alternatives

When searching for something to use instead of regular paper towels, you’ll find many options out there, but most of them fit into just a few categories. Within each group of options there will be a range of quality and usefulness, so make sure to read reviews, and compare brands if you decide to use one of the options listed below.

If you prefer to cut out the guess work and research process, then skip these popular options and scroll down to our best option that follows. These first few alternatives are widely available, and commonly recommended, so they will solve the problem as well, but for the ultimate in affordability and effectiveness, our pick is the best.

1. Homemade unPaper Towels

Make your own paper towel alternative at home. You can easily search the internet and find helpful guides to make a variety of unpaper options. Once made they can be washed and reused, so you’ll get a lot of uses out of each one. You’ll also have a decent investment in each one, so tossing them out, even after several uses, may be a waste of money. It can be nice to not care about throwing a towel out after just a single use, and it can be annoying to wash a rag that was used to clean really yucky stuff.

You’ll be giving up the convenience of dispensing from a roll too, so you’ll need to set up a dispenser or holder as well. This option will generally cost less than using regular towels and cloths, but you will need to put in some effort and work upfront, and it may require you to have special tools or skills.

Unpaper towels, also known as reusable or cloth towels, are a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper towels. Making unpaper towels is a straightforward and fun DIY project. Here’s a simple method to create your own unpaper towels:

Materials Needed:

Cotton or flannel fabric (pre-washed and dried)
Scissors or rotary cutter
Sewing machine or needle and thread
Ruler or measuring tape
Optional: Snaps or Velcro for fastening (if you want to create snap-together rolls of towels)

Instructions:

Choose Fabric: Select soft, absorbent, and durable fabric for your unpaper towels. Cotton and flannel work well for this purpose. Consider using old towels or cotton clothing that you no longer need to upcycle and reduce waste.
Cut Fabric: Measure and cut the fabric into your desired towel size. Common sizes are around 12 inches by 12 inches, but you can make them larger or smaller based on your preference.
Optional Snaps or Velcro: If you want to create snap-together rolls of towels for easy storage and use, you can attach snaps or Velcro to the corners of the towels. This step is optional but can be useful for keeping the towels together.
Hem the Edges: Fold and sew a narrow hem on all sides of each fabric square. This will prevent fraying and give the towels a neater look.
Create a Set: Make several towels to create a complete set that will last you a while between washes.
Store and Use: Store your unpaper towels in a convenient location, such as a basket or drawer in your kitchen. Use them as you would regular paper towels for spills, cleaning, and other household tasks.
Laundering: After use, you can either hand wash the towels with soap and water or toss them into the washing machine with your regular laundry. Wash and reuse them as needed.

By making your own unpaper towels, you can significantly reduce your consumption of disposable paper towels, which helps to protect the environment and save money in the long run. They are also an attractive addition to your kitchen and can be a conversation starter for promoting sustainable practices with your family and friends.

2. Regular Cleaning Cloths and Towels

A regular towel will dry better than a paper one, and a regular cleaning cloth will clean better too. The downside to these options is convenience and cost. You’ll spend way more for a cleaning cloth or towel when compared to a roll of paper towels, but that’s because they are made from a more sturdy material, and because they are totally washable and reusable.

It won’t be as easy to keep them on your counter for use when you need them, and you won’t want to toss one out, no matter what you wipe up, so you’ll always have to launder after use, no matter how yucky it gets.

It’s nice to have a roll or paper towels at your fingertips when there is a spill or small mess, and it can be way less convenient to have to dig in a drawer or cupboard to find the tool you need.

Using regular cleaning cloths as an alternative to paper towels is definitely effective, but it will be way less convenient. This option will allow you to switch to a reusable product instead of a disposable one, but it’ll be tough to place them in a spot with quick access, and you’ll need to wash it thoroughly if you clean up something yucky.

3. Disposable Bamboo Towels

Paper towels made from bamboo are superior to ones made from trees. The cost is pretty similar, and the look and feel of the end product is very similar as well. When you clean, wipe or dry with them, they’ll work just like paper, but bamboo grows way faster, so it’s a much more environmentally friendly choice.

Bamboo rolls can be more difficult to find locally, but more and more stores are starting to carry this option. You’ll retain the same level of convenience as a traditional roll, but you’ll be able to toss them out with way less worry. When you switch to this option, you’ll still be using a disposable product, so the waste reduction will not be the best, but when compared to regular paper, it’s a much better choice.

Bamboo renews faster than trees, and paper products made from it biodegrade faster than those made from regular tree-based paper. Although you won’t be able to wash and reuse each sheet, it will still be a more Eco-fiendly choice than regular paper towels.

The Best Paper Towel Alternative

When you combine the best parts of the alternatives above, you end up with our best option: A roll of towels made from bamboo, where each sheet is washable and reusable.

Nothing to sew, so special racks or hooks to set up, and no worries if you feel like tossing a sheet in the garbage because you cleaned up something yucky.

Bamboo towel roll. Use instead of paper.

Super soft, extra absorbent, and great at cleaning. Our Bamboo Paper Towels are slightly thicker than a regular paper towel, and a single roll can last 6 months or more, even with regular use. You can pop the roll onto any paper towel holder you have now, so they’ll be conveniently located for regular, everyday use.

Just rip off a sheet whenever you need to wipe or dry, then toss it in the laundry when you finish, instead of throwing it away. The affordable roll is very economical, so you can throw out a sheet whenever you need to, but thanks to the thick and sturdy material, you can also wash each towel 100 times to use it over and over again.

Replace up to 286 rolls of regular paper towels with one roll of this alternative!

When you get it, the roll will look just like a regular roll of regular paper towels. The sheets are about the same size, and they come in a perforated roll, so you can dispense them from any holder you already have. Although they look the same, the bamboo cloths will not feel like the paper ones you are used to. They will be softer and thicker in comparison. Wipe gentle surfaces without worry of scratching, or absorb more liquid in a single swipe. Our Reusable Bamboo Towels can be used anywhere you use traditional paper ones, but thanks to the soft viscose material, you can also use them on delicate surfaces without worry of lint or abrasion.

Soak Up Spills

When you switch to our paper towel alternative you’ll be able to soak up larger spills. The non-woven, viscose material can soak up many times it’s own weight in liquid, so it acts more like a shammy or sponge cloth when compared to regular paper towels.

Low cost paper options will just push liquid across your counter or floor, and you usually have to invest in expensive options to get a roll that’s truly absorbent. Thanks to the thick material that our bamboo cloths are made from, you’ll be able to suck up tons of moisture to quickly clean any spill or mess. Once soaked up, the moisture will remain locked into the cloth to prevent dripping.

Clean Tough Messes

You can’t use a regular paper towel to wash dishes because they won’t do a good job cleaning, and they’ll shrink or disintegrate once saturated with water. Ours are sturdy enough to handle this job and so much more. They won’t fall apart when they get wet, and the material will scrub free stubborn grime.

Use one just like a regular dish rag to clean pots and pans without any worry of scratching. Grab another one to dry each dish thoroughly, and leave it without spots or streaks. When cleaning or wiping up messes in your kitchen, there is no better option.

Super soft and extra strong, our alternative towels can do everything a regular paper one can do, but they can also do way more. Thanks to the improved strength and softness, you can tackle a wide range of jobs that you wouldn’t even attempt with paper.

Support heavy fruits while rinsing them clean, or clean delicate surfaces that might be ruined with harsher options. You’ll never harm any surface, and you’ll always leave the material super clean, and free or spots or streaks.

Product Features

Full Roll – Get 20 XL Sheets.
Each towel measures 12″ x 12″.
Totally washable and reusable.
Made from 100% Organic Bamboo.
100% Biodegradable. 100% Recyclable.

Why They Work So Well

Super Strong Material

Much more like a cloth than paper versions, reusable bamboo towels will not tear or rip under normal use. The stretchy material is much stronger than paper, so you can use them to scrub away stubborn dirt, hold heavy fruit while rinsing, or soak up tons of liquid without them falling apart.

Extra Absorbent In Comparison

Thanks to the non-woven, viscose material, these cloths can absorb an incredible amount of moisture. This makes them great fro drying dishes, wiping counters, or drying spills. Large capillaries will suck up liquid and hold it without dripping.

Very Versatile Performance

Reusable bamboo towels can be used for any job that traditional ones are used for, but they can also be used for stuff that paper wouldn’t work on. An all-around cleaning cloth and utility towel, but also useful as an alternative to disposable mopping sheets and more. Use them inside or out, and in any room of your home.

Incredibly Durable Bamboo Construction

Don’t worry about the cloth falling apart as you wipe, or disintegrating as you scrub. These bamboo cloths are way more durable than disposable paper ones, so you’ll be able to do more with them. Clean tough stuff, rinse heavy stuff, or scrub stubborn grime.

Highly Effective For All Jobs

Increased cleaning power and absorption ability allow these to perform way better than paper versions. One swipe and you’ll see that these dominate paper towels for cleaning ability, and they will never leave behind lint or cause any damage.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable

Each sheet can be used over and over again, so you’ll create less waste while cleaning. Trees grow slowly in comparison to bamboo and each one needs to be replanted after harvest. The rayon material derived from bamboo is way more sustainable than paper made from trees.

Save Money When You Switch

When you don’t throw out each sheet after using it once, the savings will start to add up. Over time you can save a significant amount of money when you switch to this paper towel alternative

Super Soft To The Touch

You’ll notice the softness right away. When compared to some stiff and scratchy paper versions, these bamboo towels will be way more plush in comparison. Use to clean your glasses, or wipe a babies face without worry of damage or harm.

Totally Washable and Reusable

Use each sheet 100 times, or toss it out after just one use. You be the judge. For yucky jobs, you can dispose without worry, but for regular use, you can just wash the cloth for use again later. Simply hand wash, or place them in your washing machine for cleaning.

Top 10 Reasons To Stop Using Regular Paper Towels

There are several compelling reasons to stop using paper towels and switch to more sustainable alternatives like cloth towels or unpaper towels:

Environmental Impact: Paper towel production contributes to deforestation, as trees are cut down to make pulp for paper products. By reducing paper towel usage, we can help conserve forests and protect wildlife habitats.
Waste Generation: Disposable paper towels contribute to significant waste generation. They end up in landfills where they take a long time to decompose, adding to the global waste problem.
Energy and Water Consumption: The production of paper towels requires a significant amount of energy and water. By using fewer paper towels, we can conserve these valuable resources.
Carbon Footprint: The manufacturing and transportation of paper towels result in greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting down on paper towel usage can help reduce our carbon footprint and combat climate change.
Cost Savings: Reusable cloth towels or unpaper towels are more cost-effective in the long run. While the initial investment may be higher, they can be used repeatedly, saving money over time compared to buying disposable paper towels regularly.
Chemicals and Bleaching: Paper towels are often treated with chemicals and bleaching agents, which can be harmful to the environment and may irritate sensitive skin.
Sustainable Alternatives: There are many sustainable alternatives available, such as cloth towels made from organic cotton or bamboo, which are more Eco-friendly and healthier options for cleaning and drying.
Absorbency and Effectiveness: Cloth towels or unpaper towels can be just as absorbent and effective as paper towels for most household tasks, making them a viable replacement.
Personal Health: Some people might have allergies or sensitivities to the chemicals present in paper towels. Switching to natural and reusable alternatives can be beneficial for personal health.
Set a Positive Example: By adopting sustainable practices like using cloth towels, you set a positive example for others and encourage a shift towards more Eco-friendly habits in your community.

Making the switch from disposable paper towels to reusable cloth towels or unpaper towels is a simple yet impactful step that can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyle. It’s an easy way to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimize our ecological footprint on the planet.

Stop using so many paper towels, but don’t waste time, money and effort with inferior alternatives either. Our Bamboo Paper Towel Roll is one of the best alternatives to regular paper towels available. Once you get them you’ll instantly save money, but you’ll also reduce waste and improve your ability to get things clean or dry.