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Emerald M, I was writing when you posted - I see I'm NOT the only paper towel conservationist here!
Quote:
We use paper towels for occasional nasty messes like cat barf.
And yes, I'd use one for that too! (and have, except for me it's dog.)
How do you make your own dishcloths? That's another thing I hate to buy, but I also hate it when "boughten" ones get old and lose all their grease-resistance.
Emerald M, I was writing when you posted - I see I'm NOT the only paper towel conservationist here!
And yes, I'd use one for that too! (and have, except for me it's dog.)
How do you make your own dishcloths? That's another thing I hate to buy, but I also hate it when "boughten" ones get old and lose all their grease-resistance.
One of my hobbies is knitting, and dishcloths are great for practicing new pattern stitches. They are also small enough to carry in my purse for times when I am stuck waiting - doctor's office, long line at the grocery store, car repairs/maintenance ... you get the idea. I knit them out of 100% cotton yarn, and haven't had one die yet, though I've changed a few things in how I make them in recent years.
I use too many paper towels, but I am getting better. For example, I use one with windex to clean the bathroom mirrors. However, instead of throwing it away, I put the crumpled towel on top of the bottle and use it next time. By that time it dries out and is perfectly good to use again.
I don't view it as wasteful because when I clean up a mess I want it to go away for good. I throw the paper towel away. I do not have to deal with it again in the laundry. BTW, like the other person stated, washing cloth towels uses water, electricity and detergent. All of which are things you pay for. I will even say that you will have to use more water because you should wash these things alone and not with your regular clothing so then it is making you use more water, electricity and detergent than before because you are having to wash them in an extra load by themselves.
I use quite a few paper towels, but I also re-use them when possible (example, I dry off a counter, then reuse for wiping floor or cleaning cat mess). I also buy the recycled paper ones, which makes me feel a bit better about using so many!
I use more paper towels than I should, but not tons.
I use them for cat "messes", and also cleaning. Like a PP said, I also reuse the one for the windows. Also, I sometimes dry my hands on one - then I will reuse it to dry my hands again.
I have never bought a paper towel in my life. I take home extra napkins from BK, and keep them handy in the kitchen in case a quick wipe of something greasy is needed. For un-messy wipes (dry or watery), I keep a dry dishrag available for that. I'm not a splashy cook, and I am mindful in the kitchen of minimizing the mess.
Furthermore, it seems anal for people to grab a paper towel for every tiny spill. Just wipe up all the spills with one damp cloth at the end of the day. If you don't use paper towels after a shower, why do you need them when you rinse off your hands?
The guy in the Sham-wow commercial says you'd spend $30 a month on paper towels, and he is probably right about some people I know. I can think of a lot nicer things to buy with my $360 at the end of every year.
I use paper towels for cleaning toilets, cleaning up after pets, etc., and cleaning glass. I use cleaning rags or dishcloths (and an easy to clean plastic scrubber) for everything else. I change the cloth frequently (5-6 a day), and just throw them in with the daily wash. I'm not sure how they could increase your laundry load--they take up less than the space of a sock, and I have to do laundry every day anyway--it doesn't raise the water or soap use to add a few small items. When I do use them, I rinse them out constantly in a sink of hot antibacterial soap dishwater, or use them with a spray disinfectant.
As far as washing them with the rest of the laundry--I'm more worried about the potential germs (like staff infection exposure) on my kid's football or wrestling gear. Because of that I routinely use a laundry disinfectant as well. We are NEVER sick. I don't like to use sponges because I think they really are harder to keep clean. I think I can scrub harder with a dishcloth than a paper towel, plus there's also the cost factor. I have a house full of kids--I could easily go through a roll a day.
I don't view it as wasteful because when I clean up a mess I want it to go away for good. I throw the paper towel away. I do not have to deal with it again in the laundry. BTW, like the other person stated, washing cloth towels uses water, electricity and detergent. All of which are things you pay for. I will even say that you will have to use more water because you should wash these things alone and not with your regular clothing so then it is making you use more water, electricity and detergent than before because you are having to wash them in an extra load by themselves.
I wash them every week with all of the other towels and don't run extra loads for them.
I think that paper towels and disposable diapers are among the most wastyeful purchases there are.
I wash them every week with all of the other towels and don't run extra loads for them.
I think that paper towels and disposable diapers are among the most wastyeful purchases there are.
Yes, mine are normally washed with the towel load, as well. No extra cost.
As to napkins, I'm about to make a few sets of cloth napkins for our daily use, rather than using paper ones from any source. Just got my serger fixed (it was fine; I had too short a needle in it), and so I can simply serge squares of appropriate cloth rather than turning a narrow hem.
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