Use fewer paper towels and cleaners
photo by erix
DEAR SARA: I need a paper-towel intervention! I am trying to be more “green” in our home. Not only because it’s better for the earth but mainly because I can’t stand choking on chemical fumes when I’m cleaning and because it isn’t frugal to spend $10 a month on paper towels. I’ve done small things here and there. Switched to CFL bulbs, we use cloth shopping bags, and I use all-natural cleaners. My next big step is trying to eliminate the use of paper towels. I’ll admit, I love them. I use them for everything. Wiping the counters, cleaning the sink, spot mopping the floor. But I do feel guilty about going through so much paper, so I’m thinking of switching to rags or cloths that I can easily wash when they’re soiled. Do you recommend any particular products? Do you think it would be sufficient if I just picked up a few packages of dishcloths? — Kim, Florida
DEAR KIM: You’ll have to find what you like to use. I place a stack of cheap white washcloths on the countertop in the kitchen. I use them for cleaning and drying hands. I use microfiber cloths, too. Bar-mop towels are cheap. You can cut your older towels into small rags or start looking for cloth diapers at garage sales. White cloths work well because they can be bleached. You might enjoy alternatives such as a Skoy cloth (www.skoycloth.com), a Euro-Cloth or a sponge cloth (www.twistclean.com).
They’re biodegradable and reusable. Instead of trying to eliminate them completely, simply try to keep paper towels put away and not easily accessible. Place your alternative cloths in their place and you’ll automatically use less, but you’ll still have some paper towels in the house if you discover a task you prefer to use them for. If you continue to use paper towels, you can look for ones that have a high recycled content and high post-consumer content and are chlorine-free. Some common brands are Seventh Generation, Green Forest, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods 365.
DEAR SARA: I’m trying to use more natural cleaners around the house, including homemade cleaners (so much cheaper!). I read somewhere that microfiber towels are the best for cleaning glass and are great to use on floors with a Swiffer. Do you have a source where I can get these cheaply? I’ve done a Google search and looked on eBay, but I’ll bet you know a way to get them for a lower price. Thanks so much! — Christy, Texas
DEAR CHRISTY: You can get them in the automotive department at discount department stores. They’re often available at dollar stores, too. To make them last longer, don’t use bleach or fabric softener when washing and drying them. They also attract lint, so avoid washing and drying them with items such as towels. But they’re not for everyone. Many people don’t like how they feel.
DEAR SARA: I’ve made several advent calendars over the years, but I get stumped on what to put in them each year. Other than candies for kids and adults alike, what do you put in yours if you make or use these? — Sue, Ohio
DEAR SUE: My suggestions are late for this year, but you can keep this in mind for later. Try a scavenger hunt, and leave slips of paper with clues on it in each cubby. Or write down family activities, such as baking cookies, or write jokes and riddles on each slip of paper. You can add Lego or puzzle pieces, small ornaments, stickers, recipes, origami instructions or coins, too.
Posted by Sara Noel
on January 4 2010. Filed under Question & Answer.Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook
I have started using microfiber cloths as well to clean and I prefer them for most jobs. I am even using them as my kitchen towels and I have a whole bunch so I just drop them in the washing machine when they get dirty.
They do a much better job on my mirrors and sinks than paper towels did so I am glad I made the switch.
1.-= Lulu´s last blog ..testing schedule 5/1/09 =-.
To kick the paper habit, the first thing we did was purchase dozens of mismatched cloth napkins at various charity shops to replace our napkins. They are plentiful and run $.25 to $.50 each, and are easy to just toss in with the regular wash.
Then, we picked up whatever used dishtowels we could find. Honestly, gently (or even not-so-gently) used dishtowels and dish cloths are hard to find, but if you keep looking eventually you’ll amass enough that it’s just easier to reach in the dishcloth drawer to wipe a spill and toss it in the wash. No more wimpy paper towels!!!
For really yukky spills and chores like cleaning things with Lestoil or dusting, we also cut up old holey stained T-shirts or really ripped towels into 12×12 or so squares. These make nice YUCK rags and, if they’re not too disgusting, you can just rinse them out and wash them or, if really gross, just toss them. If you are a regular at your local charity thrift shop and just ask them to pass along anything too ripped to sell, they’ll often hand you a bagful to cut up for rags.
If you use paper towels for draining grease off fried foods, start saving brown paper bags (especially all those little McDonald’s bags) and use them instead. If it’s winter, after using them to soak up grease, they make great log starters in the wood stove.
I finally used paper towels last week for the first time in nearly a year. My kids got one of those stomach bugs. BLECK DOUBLE YUKKK. There are some messes that even a cheap yankee like me will draw the line at!!!
2SAMS has economically priced microfiber towels and bar towels. For really yukky jobs, I look for the oldest, most stained, thinnest towels/washcloths I have and throw it away afterward. A single paper towel with newspaper under it is great for draining bacon/fried foods. I made dozens of cloth napkins 20 yrs ago and have not used paper napkins for years, even for everyday meals. Being frugal, not cheap, helps us through economic downturns if the habits have been put in place in good times.
3I use Olay facial cleaning cloths for my face (the kind for dry skin). Then I wash them with the towels, which I bleach. They make great cleaning cloths because of their texture. The “holes” hold a lot of dirt and they scrub surprisingly well. Then I toss them.
I also save the large Chemex coffee filters after dumping the grounds on my compost pile. After they dry I shake off any residue and use them to clean the oil or grease out of the frying pan.
Another good thing for scrubbing and cleaning is nylon net.
4I just got maybe 25-30 of somewhat mismatched dishcloths and smaller washcloths at Ross for about $20 or so. I tried to keep them in the same color family, though. I’ve got another 6 or so already at my house. I plan on putting them in boxes or drawers in different parts of the house for cleaning and to set aside a few that are for personal / shower type use and the rest for cleaning. It is good to get various sizes. Sometimes you just want to spray down the counter tops and wipe clean and you don’t need a giant dishcloth just for a that. A smaller washcloth will do.
5.-= BethanyGM´s last blog ..Pregnancy and Weight Gain =-.
If you use paper towels for draining grease off fried foods, start saving brown paper bags (especially all those little McDonald’s bags) and use them instead. If it’s winter, after using them to soak up grease, they make great log starters in the wood stove.
6We have started using microfiber cloths as well to clean and I prefer them for many jobs. I am even utilizing them as my kitchen towels and so i have got a whole bunch so I just drop them in the washing machine when they get dirty.
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