The Best Reusable Paper Towels

Buying Guide

Single-use paper towels can be both expensive and bad for the environment. But switching to cloth can be problematic, too. If you don’t wash your towels and dishcloths after every use, they could harbor bacteria. Considering your hands and the surfaces in your kitchen regularly come into contact with raw foods, the whole situation is a recipe for disaster.

That’s where reusable paper towels can come in. These products are typically sturdier and more absorbent than standard towels, which means you can use them multiple times. Many can be tossed in the washing machine for a thorough clean after each use, giving you that clean surface you need for drying your hands or soaking up spills.

But not all reusable paper towels are equal. If environmental consciousness is your top priority, you’ll first want to take a look at the manufacturing process. Natural materials like bamboo and wood pulp tend to be popular for reusable paper towels. Not only do they make for more sustainable manufacturing, but they also provide a biodegradability you might not get from alternatives.

Reusable paper towels come in a variety of formats. Some are folded like hand towels, while others come on a roll that can fit on a standard paper towel roll holder. If you’re replacing paper towels, you may want to opt for the latter since you won’t have to carve out a new storage space for it. Going with a roll also makes the switch from paper to reusable a little less jarring.

In addition to their eco-friendliness, reusable paper towels also come in a variety of colors and designs, including vibrant pastels. Standard paper towels are usually white, so their reusable alternatives can liven up your living spaces a little.

There are limits to how many times you can reuse a paper towel, though. Even with careful handwashing, you’ll eventually have to replace them. How often depends on the material you choose. Some hold up for thousands of uses and washes, while others might need to be replaced after 20 or 30 uses. If you’re looking for an option that sticks around a while, go with a material that will last.

• For true eco-friendliness, consider bamboo towels. Bamboo is quick to grow back after it’s sourced, making it one of the more sustainable materials.
• Reusable paper towels might be lighter-weight than traditional fabric-based hand towels, but they are more absorbent than paper. Keep that in mind while you’re using them. You could find that you’re underestimating its power in your early days of wiping up spills.
• Some reusable paper towels are machine washable. If you prize that type of convenience, look for that option. Another benefit of machine-washable reusable towels is that they tend to be more durable, which means you’ll get more life out of them.
• Your reusable towel may be machine washable, but that doesn’t mean it’s dryer safe. Take a look at the care directions before tossing it in the dryer. You might need to line dry it. If so, make sure you hang it, spread out, to dry so that bacteria don’t have time to build up on the cloth’s surface.
• Take a look at the size of each towel. Some are bigger than others. If you like to cover a larger surface area at once, that might rule out some of the smaller reusable towels.
• Reusable paper towels come in a variety of colors and designs, so look around to find the option that matches your décor. If you prefer neutral white towels, you can find those, as well.
• Since reusable towels typically eliminate the use of chemicals, you shouldn’t have to deal with unpleasant odors when you remove your towels from the packaging. Still, check to see if odor is an issue before choosing a towel.