This post is in honor of my dear father-in-law, who is always in shock that I could live life without purchasing paper towels. I’m sure there are some of you that are reading who feel the same way. Let me tell you a little story.
When I was growing up, we always had paper towels, but I wasn’t allowed to use them as much as I thought I should. My mom was very thrifty by necessity and she was extremely careful to reuse things like foil and zip lock bags. So, when it came to paper towels, it made sense that she would limit the amount that we were allowed to use. In fact, she was so good at limiting our paper towel usage, that I became a little bit scared to use paper towels, because I may get in trouble that I used too many. Moms have a way of getting your attention when they’re serious about something! LOL
My husband grew up in a much opposite household. They were allowed to use as many paper towels as they wanted. In fact, in their house, it was almost a crime to run out of something so valuable as paper towels.
Fast forward many years later, when my husband and I got married. We would buy paper towels. At first, I was thrilled that I could use them as I wanted, without limits. But then, later, I became rather annoyed with how frivolous my husband was with his paper towel usage. [Silly, I know, the things we get irritated with sometimes.] That rule of not using paper towels much in my growing up years, had really shaped my “worldview” of paper towels. I got to the point where he’d use them faster than I could buy them and since we didn’t have much money at the time to keep them in stock, I quit buying them. At first he complained, but I assured him that we’d save lots of money by not using them. He was hesitantly OK with it, although he did purchase them every now and then.
Guess what? We don’t buy napkins either!
How in the world do you get by without paper towels and paper napkins?
We use cloth! For paper towels, I’d just use a dish towel or hand towel and wash it when it needed washing. For napkins, I found several different stashes of cloth napkins at yard sales throughout the years that I bought for cheap and we always use them. I keep them in a “napkin drawer”. We used to fold them up but now, we go through them so quickly, we just throw them back in the drawer when they’re clean again.
I bet you’re wondering how my husband is faring, not using paper towels any more? Well, we have been married long enough to realize that marriage is about compromises. We don’t always have to have our own way. I try to keep some paper towels on hand and he tries not to use them all at once. I think we were successful at implementing this slow usage “rule” because I had quit buying them for a while. We learned to use other things. He totally got out of the habit of needing to use that paper towel. In fact, I think we’ve had the same roll of paper towels for over a month now.
Now, I must say, that there are certain things, that you absolutely must have paper towels for. Our one must have? When we fry anything in hot oil. I used to have a designated kitchen towel that I would use for this, but it got so heavy and smelly from all the oil trapped inside of it, we decided to forego that custom.
My father-in-law still loves to give me a hard time when he comes over. He’s been known to bring his own paper towels over as a gift to me. If all else fails, he’ll ask me for a paper towel, knowing I don’t have any. Every now and then, I surprise him with a full roll.
Tell me about your paper towel usage? Are they an important element in your home? or are you one who conserves money when it comes to paper products?
The next story in this series will be all about how we use cloth toilet paper. (just kidding!)
Jen says
Oh, go for the cloth toilet paper! It's not such a big step. We keep paper tp on hand for number two, for guests, and for when the laundry gets backed up. But one roll lasts all week now (me and my 4yo daughter). Just get a trash can with a lid and put it next to the toilet. My mom bought me a nice one with a pop-up top (I think she is ashamed of me and trying to hide it, but I got a free trashcan, so who cares!) I actually got started when my daughter was potty training, because i couldn't stand to see her pee 4 drops and then use a whole handful of paper to wipe. Now, she picks up one "wiper" as we call them. I have a mix of purchased cloth wipes (sold by any place that sells cloth diaper supplies) and then I bought cheap ($3 for 12) washcloths (or maybe they were called utility cloths?) at Wal-Mart and cut into fourths and ran a zigzag stitch around the raw edge. If they get ratty, toss them. And, in the name of really TMI, I only do laundry twice a week and smell is never an issue. 🙂 Just my two cents!
Sidetracked Sarah says
I've heard of many people doing this, but I'm thinking my dh would swear I'd lost it. LOL.
So have you ever had trouble with accidentally flushing them?
Jen says
My daughter never has! I admit I have dropped one it the toilet a time or two, but always immediately noticed and had to fish it out :p I have a long history to retrain my brain- it's easy to her!
Diane says
My family just made the switch to cloth napkins and we use flour sack towels/dish towels instead of paper towels. I do keep paper towels around for a few messes.
How do you store your wet/dirty towels and rags to be washed?
Sidetracked Sarah says
We just throw them in the laundry when they're dirty.
G.A. says
The post WWll housewife was encouraged to be modern. My mother embraced this concept with gusto, and paper towels were part of the whole. When the paper towels ran out, the substitutes were her dish towels. Not only were they used for spills, but also as napkins as the paper napkins were inadequate. My mother complained bitterly about the dingy looking dish towels, and rightfully so, but paper wasn't as effective. When I married my true love 37+ years ago, I decided to eliminate paper towels and napkins from the start. Not only were they wasteful, I didn't think they worked as well as cloth. I called the utility cloths "rags." Their name change came when I purchased a serger. I made/make my own cloth napkins. I made/make my own dish towels. I repair my bath towels, and wash cloths, and when it is time, they are recycled into new wash cloths, dishtowels, or utility cloths. When they are finished in those areas, they become "Dad Rags," used for greasy/throw away messes. I get a lot of real estate out of terry cloth. I was ahead of my time, and was chided by family and friends. I plodded on with my husbands encouragement. I was never enamored with the hippy movement, and have not interest in saving the planet. I am interested in my health and the health of my family. My goals blend with the green movement by default. My six children, now adults, prefer using cloth over paper as they did while growing up, but, my DIL's are not as convinced, and stick with paper towels, but will use cloth napkins. My SIL's are comfortable with it. I have use many other "earth friendly," or for me, healthier and cost effective alternatives. It is the little things that count.
KJasper says
We keep paper towels around, and use them for some things, but we use cloth napkins. I never throw out old tea towels, bath towels, etc…I keep a "rag bag" in the hallway, and they are always clean. We use them for all the spills and general cleaning, wash them and then back in they go. I use tea towels to dry cleaned produce on and for things like that. My husband used to use a lot of paper towels, but he has cut way back as well. The rags become disposable when they get used for something gross, like cat vomit or something. I also use the rags for cleaning glass/mirrors. Only terry and flannel really work for those out of the rags though.
Erika@SlowlyNatural says
No paper napkins or towels! All cloth! And lovin' it!!!
Sidetracked Sarah says
awesome Erika! 🙂
Disquieted Wife says
My husband did the opposite. His parents would not let them use the paper towels so now he vowed to use as many as humanly possible. I would guess we spend between $50 and $70 a month and if I try to bring it up it's world war III. Oh what we could do with that extra money! He is extra special in every other way so this is the bad I must take with all the good. Such is life.
Monica says
I probably use too many paper towels! I love them because they are great to clean up with, and then I can just toss them afterwards. I have a limit set on how many I use though, and do try to use cloth as well. Thanks for this inspiration though, I've been thinking about using less…so maybe this is a sign!?
Sidetracked Sarah says
Maybe so?! Good luck!! Let me know how it goes…..
brandi says
We don't use paper towels either but we do use the cheap paper napkins for dinner time but we only buy them a couple of times a year because we use cloth so much. Growing up both of us had paper towels in the house but he prefers to use a rag and so do I. So we cut up some of the bigger towels we had that were really old and now use them for everything. I also saved all the old burp rags and baby wash cloths we received from baby showers years ago (my kids are 3 and 5) and use them regularly.
Rosie @ Pgh, PA says
Awesome idea about cutting up the big old towels and I also have a ton of baby washcloths that I don't use – thank you for these wonderful ideas!!! 🙂 (Rosie—-Pittsburgh, PA)
Mary says
I quit paper towels about two years ago. We use "bar mops" and cloth napkins now. It drove me crazy when a child washed his hands and then gave a big pull on the paper towels, only to tear off a minumum of four, wad them up and dry his hands! My husband pretty much did the same. I do admit I keep a roll hidden these days because I do not like using real towels to clean up dog vomit. :/
Sidetracked Sarah says
Yes, that drives me crazy, too when children use so many. I like the "bar mop" idea. 🙂
andrea says
ewww. thats gross. i think its ok to use papertowels in that matter but just to use alo to dry your hands is wrong. what my family does is we get the ones with the perferations in thye middle.
ServingJoyfully says
We have no paper/disposable products in the kitchen, except that occasionally I will get paper plates for a bday party, and paper towels, like you said for draining grease. Otherwise, it's completely glass/plastic dishes and cloth towels and napkins all the way. We started this a few years ago and haven't regretted it at all. In fact, I always cringe when I'm at other people's houses and forced to use disposable stuff..it pains me!
Beth says
I am a SAHM who homeschools with 5 (expensive) children, 1 small income, and also do not buy paper towels or napkins. I use old junky towels for spills and such, and a huge stash of cheap cloth napkins (not the fancy dinner party kind) that I keep in my kitchen drawer. My family kind of freaked out when I declared -no more paper- but, I do buy toilet paper at least *smile*. Good for you!
Sidetracked Sarah says
LOL Beth. Glad to hear that you still buy the toilet paper, too. I've known a few people to switch from it….but not me. I will draw the line somewhere. 😉
Linda says
Love your story! We seem to go through phases of barely using paper towels to using up a bunch at once. Seems like if we are hurried, we use up more–when extra kitchen towels are just "a few extra steps and opening a drawer" away.
Sidetracked Sarah says
Yes, we'd do that in phases sometimes, too! When we have them on hand, we do use them faster if we're hurried! Thanks for sharing!
KimH says
Girl, Im with you on the paper towels. Im not sure how I got that way unless it was because in my early married life (30 years ago) we couldnt afford food hardly, much less paper towels. I just dont use them very often, and never have. They do come in handy on occasion though. Someone in this house though, likes to use them very much. I look up & they're gone. The good news is, they dont refill the holder, so they dont go thru them like water. 😉 I bought 6-8 packs of Bounty several years ago when they had a deal at Rite Aid making them almost free, and I still have 2 packages left. 🙂
Most of the time, we use white cloths I got at a wholesale warehouse club in the automotive section. At the time, they cost about $12 for a package of 36. They're wonderful, absorbent, and tough.
Sidetracked Sarah says
I like your white cloths idea!! I may have to do that. Good for you for still having some paper towels left!
deb says
Oh my gosh! I was just thinking the other day when we ran out, about how many paper towels my husband & I use in a given day. And how expensive they've gotten over the years. I also grew up in a house where paper towel usage was limited. When I was a young woman, I boarded with an older woman who reused hers! I used to have cloth napkins when we first married 30 yrs. ago, because they were "elegant"…now, I'll be getting some because they're practical! Thanks for sharing your story!
Sidetracked Sarah says
LOL about reusing the paper towels. I remember being in school and using a napkin. The kids at my table would kid me about how "well used" my napkins always were. They would always tell me that there's more right there, we're not running out. 🙂 It was ingrained in me!
Victoria says
I am seeing more and more bloggers giving up paper towels. I have yet to take the plunge. I know it would give me an additional $7 a month in wiggle room in my grocery budget that seems to be getting tighter lately, but I just haven't yet figured out what to replace them with? Do you have separate dish cloths for dishes and then rags for spills?
Sidetracked Sarah says
We don't really have separate towels. We'll often grab a dirty bath towel from the dirty clothes for spills and we keep a clean washcloth for washing dishes and of course, a clean dish towel for drying as well.