You're better than paper towels – Make the swap with these 4 paper towel alternatives!
Paper towels are one of those “invisible” waste items – used for a few seconds, tossed in the trash, and forgotten. But they add up fast. In the U.S. alone, we use over 13 billion pounds of paper towels each year. That’s a whole lot of trees, energy, and packaging going straight to the landfill via plastic garbage bag. This means it’s going to be a long, long time until they biodegrade. (If you compost your paper towels, here’s a gold star! ⭐)
Here’s the good news: you don’t need paper towels to keep your kitchen clean or your hands dry. At Vessel Refills, we’re all about sustainable swaps that are functional, affordable, and actually cute to look at. If you’re looking to ditch disposables and still keep your messes in check, we’ve got you covered.
Why Swap Out Paper Towels?
Let’s talk about why this swap matters. Paper towels are made from virgin tree pulp or recycled paper. Either way, they require water, energy, bleach, and packaging to produce. And once you use them? They’re trash (or sometimes compostable, but only if they’re unbleached and not covered in grease or chemicals).
In other words: they’re single-use by design. And if you’re using a roll every few days, that waste adds up real fast – both environmentally and financially.
By switching to reusable paper towel alternatives, you can cut down significantly on your landfill waste, reduce your household's paper consumption, and save money over time. Win, win, win.
The Best Alternatives to Paper Towels (That We Actually Use)
There are so many options out there when it comes to paper towel replacements. Some are compostable, some are washable, all are reusable, and some you probably already own! Yay!
Here are Brook’s (Vessel’s founder) top picks:
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Swedish Dishcloths – These might look like thin, floppy cardboard at first, but just run them under the faucet and they transform into a super absorbent, reusable cleaning hero. Made from cellulose and cotton, they’re washable, compostable, and can replace up to 17 rolls of paper towels each. Use them for spills, surfaces, dishes, and more. Brook also loves using them for dusting, absorbing moisture when storing produce in the fridge, and keeping the milk frother on her espresso machine pristine! (Yes, she has a special sponge cloth just for her Breville Bambino Plus…)
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UnPaper Towels® – Reusable “paper towels” made from soft flannel or cotton. You can keep them rolled up just like a regular paper towel roll, or stack them in a drawer for easy grab-and-go cleaning. They’re machine washable and perfect for wiping down counters, drying hands, or tackling bigger messes.
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Bamboo Paper Towels – If you’re not quite ready to ditch the roll format, this is your baby step. Bamboo paper towels are super strong, washable (yes, really), and made from fast-growing, renewable bamboo instead of trees. Most rolls come perforated and can be reused 50+ times each.
- Old Rags and Repurposed Cloths – The ultimate zero-cost swap. That old T-shirt with holes in it? Cut it up and turn it into a rag. That sock missing its partner? Boom – dust cloth. You don’t have to spend money to go low-waste. Use what you’ve got and build from there.
How to Make the Switch (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
We get it – going from “grab and toss” to “wash and reuse” takes a mindset shift. But the key here is progress, not perfection. Start by adding one or two reusable cloths into your daily routine. Use them for drying hands, wiping down the stove, or soaking up spills.
Keep a small bin or wet bag in your kitchen so it’s easy to toss dirty cloths in without thinking. Then wash and rotate as needed. Most reusable towel alternatives can be tossed in with your regular laundry, no special care required.
You don’t have to ban paper towels forever. Maybe you keep a roll around for emergencies or particularly nasty clean ups (we do too). But if you can replace even half your usage with reusable options, you’re making a meaningful dent in your waste and setting yourself up for long-term savings.
Where to Find These Swaps
If you're in Escondido or anywhere in San Diego County, swing by Vessel Refills. We carry a rotating selection of Swedish dish cloths, UNPaper Towels, and reusable cleaning cloths that will add personality to your kitchen.
Not sure where to start? We’ll help you find the right option for your kitchen, budget, and lifestyle. Whether you’re refilling your soap or just trying to waste less, one towel at a time, we’re here for it.
TL;DR – Paper Towels Are Out, Reusables Are In
One roll here, one roll there, it all adds up. But switching to reusable paper towel alternatives can help you cut waste, save money, and keep your home just as clean (if not cleaner). You don’t need to go zero-waste overnight. Just start with one swap and build from there. You got thisssss.