How to Live Green And Use Less Paper Towels

Switch from paper towels to sponges and rags to live greener.

The average American consumes approximately two trees per year in paper and wood products. Reduce paper towel consumption to live greener in the home and office. While paper towels remain a convenient cleaning product, they also prove wasteful.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Keep rags underneath your sink instead of using paper towels. Buy a few microfiber cloths or make your own rags from old t-shirts and socks. Rinse the rags out after each use and launder them with your clothes.

2. Use old newspaper to clean windows and mirrors. Use your glass cleaning products as normal. Recycle the newspaper after you have finished your cleaning.

3. Buy cloth napkins to use at the dinner table instead of disposable napkins or paper towels. Launder them with your clothes.

4. Use sponges to wipe down counters and other surfaces daily instead of paper towels. Use your cleaning products with sponges as normal. Rinse these sponges after each use.

5. Change the brand of paper towel you use. Sometimes, paper towels remain necessary to clean things -- such as spoiled milk or raw chicken juices -- when you don't wish to soil your rags. Buy recycled or biodegradable paper towels for a greener option.

6. Keep the paper towels you have in an inconvenient place and keep rags in an accessible spot. With paper towels harder to reach, you'll have time to think about whether a rag would do the job just as well. Using rags will become the greater convenience.

References

• Purposefully Frugal: How to Use Fewer Paper Towels
• 5 Minutes for Going Green; 10 Easy Ways To Reduce Paper Consumption; August 2008
• Frugal Village: Use Fewer Paper Towels and Cleaners; Jan. 2010
• The Kitchn: Why Not? How To Go Paper Towel-Less in the Kitchen; Elizabeth Passarella; March 2009