Flip the towel inside out and iron along the edges.Now, you can sew the hole closed. Be sure to get as close to the edge as possible. Those only used as dish towels will likely last much longer than one used for dirty jobs like washing a car or pairing with your eco-friendly mop. These dishcloths were my introduction to reusable paper towels. I used them with just plain water or a natural cleaning spray to give my kitchen surfaces a good wipe-down after dinner. I realize that probably sounds like a lot, BUT the reason we have so many is so we don’t have to run new loads of laundry all the time (which saves a little bit on water usage as well). Somewhere in between a sponge and a rag, these cloth-like paper towels are highly absorbent and last long enough to replace about 17 rolls of regular paper towels.

Marley’s Monsters’ reusable paper towels are made from 100% cotton flannel that gets more absorbent over time and can be used on any paper towel roll due to the flannel’s ability to cling together. Bamboo reusable paper towels are tree-free, biodegradable, compostable, and sustainable. The bamboo plant is a sustainable paper source that many of the most eco-friendly paper producers have switched to. Also, bamboo has proven itself to be a much more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wood products. Sustainable and ethical practices: These dishcloths come from 100% biodegradable materials. It’s a mixture of 70% cellulose and 30% cotton.

Sponges

Made from a 100% biodegradable mixture of wood pulp cellulose and cotton, Papaya towels absorb up to 15 times their own weight. I use old rags, t-shirts, etc. with vinegar/coconut oil to clean and polish furniture. No sprays in this house with respiratory problems. Then toss in wash with other rags. No problem. Some reusable paper towels come with a loop for hanging so you can store them on a hook somewhere handy. This is also helpful for air-drying in between uses. The United States loves their single-use paper towels—so much so that their usage far exceeds that of the rest of the world. Additionally, you don't have to go and spend at the zero waste store to reduce wasteful paper towels around the home. If you have clean and unsoiled scrap fabric, reuse it instead of paper towels.

Every little bit helps! So, if you can switch to the reusable paper towels instead, that is a helpful choice for the environment.And, before someone jumps on me for killing trees, I do use Swedish dish cloths. A fresh one daily. I have 10 so I only need to toss them in with my laundry once a week when I wash towels (as I do those in hot water to kill bacteria). I do have some paper towels for some cleanups but I do buy those made from recycled paper. So, when we sit down to eat a meal, we each have our own reusable paper towel to use (and I usually share mine with our kiddo). The best fabric for reusable paper towels are those that absorb the most liquid, which is why cotton (ideally organic cotton) and wood pulp cellulose are popular options. I mean, it didn’t seem like it would be that hard. BUT at the same time, paper towels are so convenient and we really used them out of habit for pretty much everything from cleaning and spills to wiping down Hayes’ face after meals.

I think they just don’t hold up as well to being washed over and over again? But the sewn ones are still being used, for sure. But then I got to thinking, what if you don’t have any dishcloths handy already (or you only have a couple) to make the switch easier. And that’s how these DIY reusable paper towels came about. As you might infer, they offer a massive selection of zero and low waste living goodies in just about any category you can think of—from pets to a wedding registry service. AndI keep all of mytowels in a drawer in the kitchen, so they’re super easy to grab but aren’t in plain sight taking up space on the counter. From a distance, the reusable paper towel from If You Care looks like traditional paper towels. On closer inspection, you’ll find something quite different.

How to Make Reusable Paper Towels (Sewn version)

It certainly takes time adjusting to something you're not accustomed to, but it will become easier with time—and Mother Nature will thank you. To make the transition as seamless as possible, get in the habit of washing and drying your towel in the sink or dishwasher shortly after you use it, so you don't need to go reaching into the hamper for a dirty one. Having multiple non-paper towels on hand at all times will guarantee you aren't left without when there's a mess to clean.

It saves money to use scraps and cuts down on the waste you are creating by reusing something you already have. Not only that, but turning tree pulp into something soft and absorbing is a water and chemical-intensive process . ZWS Essentials says theirs should last for 200 washes, which should easily put it around the year mark, even if you’re washing regularly. Eco Lovely Designs’ reusable cloth paper towels come in a choice of beautiful prints. Made from 100% cotton flannelette, they cling together to be stored on a roll.

Dish Towels

Each 2.65” by 9.5” sheet can absorb up to 16 times its weight in water, lasts for about a week of regular use, and can then be tossed in your home indoor compost bin. Unbleached baking paper and baking cups followed and today they offer a range of eco kitchen and household products made with natural or recycled materials and vegetable-based dyes. Absolutely–as long as you’re taking the proper care to wash and dry them so that no mold or bacteria can build up within the fibers. Once cooled, trim the corners so that they lay flat when you flip the towel inside out.Flip the towel inside out and iron along the edges. 5. Fold in and complete with hemming tape. So, if you’re able to continue using the same reusable paper towels like these for at least a year, that is what you can expect to save. And in some cases, even more, if you were a heavy paper towel user. How long do reusable paper towels last?