If you are looking for effective ways to adopt a sustainable lifestyle, eco-friendly towels are an alternative you should consider.
There are several reusable paper towels available in the market today.
But do they deliver on the claims they make? Do they make for a feasible option in the long run?
According to a report by EPA, paper and paperboard accounted for 11.78% of the 146.1 million tons of landfill material.
Therefore, limiting or eliminating paper towels and replacing them with reusable towels could significantly help reduce waste in landfills.
There sure is a need for an alternative.
The article will take you through the process of choosing suitable eco-friendly paper towels for your kitchen.
Questions to Ask When Picking Eco-Friendly Towels
Do Reusable Paper Towels Work and How Long Do They Last?
Brands claim that one can use reusable towels for months before they can be disposed of.
Some brands claim their towels can be used for a couple of years before the need for disposal arises.
But do these claims stand true?
You can use these towels for dusting and cleaning purposes. For example, you can wipe down surfaces, windows, countertops after spraying them with a cleaner.
In addition, you can use them around your kitchen to clean up small oil spills and messes.
When used for light cleaning, the towels can easily match up to brand claims.
If you use reusable paper towels to clean up extreme messes like grease, their longevity gets affected. In such scenarios, the reusable towel will work, but it might not last for months.
Again, though, it would still be a better alternative than single-use paper towels.
What are Materials Used to Make Reusable Towels?
Towels made from cellulose and cotton materials are popular in the reusable market. The material helps soak liquid quickly, making them a convenient accessory around the kitchen.
Towels made from bamboo are another option you can explore.
There are bamboo towel rolls available that look and feel soft like the paper towels you generally use. But the difference is you can wash and reuse them multiple times.
A single roll of bamboo towels can last up to 6 months.
You can purchase towels made from wood pulp as well. They can be tough, durable even after cleaning big messes.
How Convenient Is It to Use these Towels?
Switching from disposable paper towels to reusable towels can be challenging at first. You are forming a new habit, and thus you should not take the convenience factor lightly.
You might give up on the idea of buying reusable towels if they seem like too much of a hassle.
Bamboo towel rolls, for example, replicate the experience of using paper rolls, thus making you comfortable with a new product.
Look for towels that you can simply put into your dishwasher or washing machine.
This way, you can clean all the soiled towels together in one go.
How Much Do Reusable Towels Cost?
Reusable towels will cost you more than a single regular paper towel roll you use. But, again, reusable towels last for much longer.
When you compare the amount of money you spend on reusable and disposable paper rolls over six months, reusable towels emerge as the clear, cost-effective option.
They are also eco-friendly and help you do your bit toward preserving the environment.
Cotton, bamboo, wood pulp are far more efficient in cleaning up heavy messes in the kitchen.
Instead of using multiple paper towels, you can effectively clean up the mess using a single reusable towel.
Moreover, the towel can be washed and be ready for the next mess. Explore the markets to find the best reusable paper towels for your kitchen.