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In 2018, Americans used so many paper towels and tissues that the EPA estimated it led to 3.8 million tons of waste. That’s a whole lot of garbage going into our already packed landfills, not to mention a whole lot of money down the drain. But that’s exactly why so many people are now making the switch to reusable paper towels and not looking back.
According to cleaning expert Becky Rapinchuk, founder of Clean Mama, most people who try paper towel alternatives can see right away how much better they are for the environment. Instead of reaching for single-use options to wipe up spills and clean their home, they’re reaching for sustainable items like Swedish dishcloths. And when they begin to see the money they’re saving in the process, it suddenly becomes a no-brainer.
Full disclosure: I recently made the switch to reusable paper towels myself, after years of using single-use ones for just about everything. I admit, I was skeptical at first, and assumed they would feel “dirty” or inefficient; but after several months of using them, I can honestly say they’ve defied my expectations.
That said, not all reusable paper towels are created equal. So, if you’re thinking of making the switch yourself, consider our list of the best reusable paper towels on the market before you officially hit “Add to cart.”
(Concerned about air quality in your home? Here are 6 air purifiers that can help.)
Our picks for the best reusable paper towels
• Best reusable paper towels overall: FEBU
• Best reusable paper towels for value: Earthly
• Best Swedish dishcloth: SuperScandi
• Best bamboo reusable paper towel: Ecozoi
• Best reusable paper towel splurge: Papaya
The best paper towel alternatives
Check out our picks for the best paper towel alternatives that are great for your wallet and the environment.
Best reusable paper towels overall: FEBU Swedish Dishcloths
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON
Buy it now on Amazon
Why we like it: These Swedish dishcloths are what made me a convert in the first place. Not wanting to overspend on something I wasn’t sure if I’d even like, I combed through Amazon for affordable options with lots of positive reviews. My other completely frivolous criteria? They had to look cute in my kitchen if they were going to become a staple.
Luckily, these reusable paper towels from FEBU (which stands for “For Earth by Us”) checked all those boxes and more. They come five to a pack and have close to 5,000 positive reviews from shoppers who said they “work wonders,” “never smell,” and have already saved them a ton on paper towels. Plus, they come in 16 different patterns to appeal to a variety of styles (I have the Watercolor Floral).
Best of all, each dishcloth replaces 17 paper towel rolls and can be washed up to 50 times. They’re also 100 percent compostable, so you don’t have to feel guilty when you eventually do have to toss them, making this set an all-around great pick.
Keep in mind: While most customers were happy with FEBU’s absorbency, a few said they found others to be better with heavy spills. Still, this 5-pack is a great place to start if you’re giving them a try for the first time.
Product details: Towel size: 8” x 7” | Number in pack: 5 | Material: 30 percent cotton, 70 percent cellulose | How to care for it: Wet, rinse, and wring out in between uses. Can withstand up to 50 washes in the dishwasher for a full cleaning.
Best reusable paper towels for value: Earthly “notpaper” towels
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON
Buy it now on Amazon
Why we like it: Available in a 10- or 24-pack on Amazon, each of Earthly’s “notpaper” towels are made from 100 percent compostable flannel cotton, making them super absorbent and soft to the touch. (For anyone with sensitive skin or sensory issues who dislike the “itchy” feel of microfiber, this is a definite plus.)
Each pack comes pre-rolled in no-waste packaging, so you can toss the box right in the recycling bin and display the towels on a paper towel holder. Customers especially love the cute pattern selections and versatility of these towels since they can be used as cloth napkins, tea towels, or handkerchiefs in addition to traditional cleaning products.
Keep in mind: Despite the product image, this particular set doesn’t come with its own paper towel holder, but you can purchase one separately or use one you already have to keep them off the counter. And, unlike Swedish dish towels, which can be rinsed off in the sink or run through the dishwasher, these towels have to be cleaned in a washing machine. On the plus side, they aren’t stiff once dry and can be easily re-rolled after a wash cycle.
Product details: Towel size: 13” x 10” | Number in pack: 10 or 24 | Material: 100 percent cotton flannel | How to care for it: Machine wash in between uses.
Best Swedish dishcloth: SuperScandi
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON
Buy it now on Amazon
Why we like it: These Swedish dishcloths—which are legitimately made in Sweden—have over 16,000 positive reviews on Amazon, and that’s clearly no accident. Customers keep coming back to this brand time and time again, giving it five stars across the board for efficiency, absorbency, and cleaning power. Many reviewers say they love how quickly the dishcloths dry after use, and one person even called it the new “MVP of the kitchen.”
According to SuperScandi, each one is food-safe, nontoxic, odor-free, and completely biodegradable. It can also withstand up to 10 wash cycles (or 100 washes per pack).
Keep in mind: Some reviewers didn’t like that the dishcloths don’t dry perfectly flat and actually look “crumpled” after being washed. If this bothers you, then Swedish dishcloths may not be for you since most of them dry this way. However, you can try hanging them on a hook to help them dry flatter.
Otherwise, they’re a practical choice that will get the job done, which is probably why we kept running into so many 5-star reviews for them.
Product details: Towel size: 7.87″ x 6.69″ | Number in pack: 10 | Material: 70 percent wood pulp, 30 percent cotton | How to care for it: Wet the cloth before using it. Machine washable and dishwasher-safe.
Best bamboo reusable paper towel: Ecozoi
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON
Buy it now on Amazon
Why we like it: Bamboo towels aren’t just wonderfully soft and absorbent—they’re also good for both you and the environment. For one thing, choosing bamboo over paper saves trees and prevents deforestation since bamboo plants are a rapidly renewable energy source that can regrow at much quicker speeds. (Believe it or not, just one roll of Ecozoi towels replaces 20 regular paper towel rolls.)
They’re also a more natural choice than other paper towel alternatives, like microfiber cloths, since they’re nontoxic, plastic-free, and 100 percent biodegradable. If you have young children and/or pets at home, this might tip the scales for you.
Keep in mind: These do need a little extra TLC, which is something to be aware of. Ecozoi notes that for the best results, each towel should be washed under cold tap water or in a washer with cold water and then air dried. That said, each roll in this 4-pack contains 20 sheets that can each be washed up to 50 times.
Product details: Towel size: 11” x 11” | Number in pack: 4 rolls with 20 sheets per roll | Material: 100 percent bamboo | How to care for it: Machine washable. Air dry to prevent shrinkage.
Best reusable paper towel splurge: Papaya
Buy it now at Papaya
Why we like it: Papaya dishcloths are high-quality, efficient, and—there’s no getting around it—downright adorable to look at. They come in a variety of unique prints and patterns you can mix and match, as well as giftable bundles you can send to friends and family for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. (There are even some kid-friendly designs that can be used during mealtime or tossed in your diaper bag for on-the-go messes.)
Unlike other Swedish-style dishcloths, Papaya dishcloths come with compatible hooks that let you easily hang them in your kitchen as they dry.
Keep in mind: If you’re just getting started with reusable paper towels, you don’t have to go all-in with a pricey 6-pack bundle. You can also opt for a one-time purchase of two reusable dishcloths. And if you really fall in love, you can go with the subscribe and save option that will periodically send you a new set every time your current one runs out.
Product details: Towel size: 7-1/2″ x 6-3/4″| Number in pack: 2, 4, or 6 sheets with 2 hooks | Material: 70 percent cellulose, 30 percent cotton | How to care for it: For quick cleans, rinse with soap and water. For deeper cleans, toss it in the washing machine or dishwasher.
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How we chose the best reusable paper towels
Now that so many people are making the switch to sustainable living, there’s no shortage of new brands entering the green cleaning space. Here’s how we whittled down all the options to create a curated list for you.
Third-party reviews: We scoured countless customer reviews, read blogs on sustainability, and even combed through Reddit to see if we were missing any under-the-radar favorites.
Expert opinions: We spoke with Becky Rapinchuk, founder of Clean Mama, who weighed in with her own firsthand experience and advice.
Brand reputation: As always, we were careful to balance the popularity of new and “trendy” items with those from tried-and-true brand names that have consistently delivered in the green cleaning category for years.
Material: We looked at a variety of paper towel alternatives on the market and did our best to balance the pros and cons of all materials used—from the product to the packaging—when considering its sustainability.
Value: In the end, all of the products we chose hit the mark when it came to quality, efficiency, and price, which we know is top-of-mind for all consumers right now.
(See our roundup of the best eco-friendly kitchen, bathroom, and all-purpose cleaners for your home)
Tips for buying paper towel alternatives
Care and cleaning
The care instructions will certainly differ from product to product, and that may ultimately determine which one you go with. For instance, some paper towel alternatives can be cleaned in the sink with just soap and water, only requiring a thorough cleaning in the dishwasher after a few uses. Others will need to be tossed in the laundry after every use, which may be more than you bargained for.
Think about your daily schedule, your cleaning needs, and what you’re willing to commit to when it comes to the upkeep. Also, pay attention to how many wash cycles a particular product can withstand before you need to replace it. (This should be clearly noted on the packaging.)
Material
For most people, this might actually be the deciding factor in picking a paper towel alternative. Some are made from 100 percent cotton or a microfiber blend, which can feel thick, fluffy, and extra absorbent. Others, like Swedish dishcloths, are made from a blend of cotton and wood pulp or cellulose, which is what gives them that unique “spongy” texture. It’s also what allows them to be quickly rinsed in the sink and re-hung in between uses.
One material isn’t necessarily better than the other, but it will determine how the item gets cleaned and stored, as well as how long it will last. After that, it mostly boils down to personal preference.
Size
Most of the reusable paper towels we researched ranged anywhere from 8” x 7” to 12” x 10”. However, depending on the material that it’s made from, some paper towel alternatives might shrink a little after washing, so that’s important to keep in mind.
Think about whether something smaller or larger would work best for your needs. If you’re using them as dust cloths and prefer more surface area on each side, you may want to go with a larger microfiber or cotton hand towel. But if you’re primarily using the item to wipe up minor spills, that may not be necessary.
Usage
The good news is that reusable paper towels can tackle just about any job a single-use paper towel can—and in many cases, it’ll do a better job. Think about the kinds of tasks you’ll be using the cloths for and consider getting a few options to handle different tasks. For instance, you might want to keep a Swedish dishcloth in the kitchen for wiping up crumbs and spills but also have a set of cotton flannel cloths on hand for dusting furniture or cleaning windows.
Other common uses include removing makeup, replacing dinner napkins, or simply drying the dishes. The sky is really the limit here.
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Frequently asked questions
Do reusable paper towels work?
Absolutely! Rapinchuk says that in addition to saving money and reducing her carbon footprint, she actually prefers to clean with paper towel alternatives.
“I find that you can get a better clean while using quality reusable products,” Rapinchuk shares.
That said, the overall quality of the product does play a factor, so you may not want to focus so much on price and instead pick a tried-and-true favorite.
Are reusable paper towels sanitary?
Yes; so long as you’re following the proper care instructions and staying on top of their basic upkeep.
“I like to put my Swedish dishcloths on the top rack of the dishwasher every night,” Rapinchuk says. “Make sure that you are rinsing and wringing them out in between uses and washing them daily, and you shouldn’t have any issues. When you start to see wear or if they are not looking or smelling clean, compost them.”
After that, a certain amount of common sense is needed—like not wiping your toddler’s face with a cloth that just cleaned the floor.
What material makes the best reusable paper towels?
That really depends on you and the job you’re tackling.
For heavy-duty cleaning jobs, you may want to rely on thicker reusable towels made of microfiber that can be machine-washed after each use to contain the spread of dirt and bacteria. But for other minor messes and spills—like dusting a ledge or drying the dishes, lightweight options like Swedish dishcloths might feel more quick and efficient.
At the end of the day, the “best” reusable paper towel for you is the one that fits your lifestyle.
Kaitlin Stanford is a freelance writer and editor from New York with more than 15 years experience working in online media. In that time, she’s worked for national brands such as Disney, Yahoo, Parents, and Bustle, covering everything from trending news to women’s health. But it’s her love of shopping content and product reviews that she keeps coming back to.
*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
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