How to Preserve Paper Towels

Are you using too many paper towels?

Preserving paper towels is not only a way to help the planet, but also to save on expenses. Whether for cooking or cleaning, other household items can be substituted for paper towels. Although wiping a child's face is a smart application of a sterile paper towel, a cleanup that requires a large amount of disposable towels is wasteful. Start by writing down the ways you currently use paper towels and how many rolls you use per month. After applying some conservation methods, re-assess and see how much product and money you saved.

Instructions

1. Use less paper towels to soak up grease while cooking meat. First, pour out any excess grease from the skillet into a jar. You can strain the oil and store it in the refrigerator to reuse it or discard it. Never pour the oil down the sink drain. With less oil to clean out of the skillet, you should need less paper towel to soak up remaining grease.

2. Drain bacon after frying on a stack of paper towels. Instead of using several paper towels for this purpose, put down a stack of old newspapers with one paper towel on top. This will keep the bacon clean and the newspapers will carry the bulk of the grease drainage.

3. Cover microwaveable dishes with a hard plastic microwave plate cover instead of paper towels.

4. Wipe off countertops with a sponge designated for this purpose. If you are worried about germs, microwave the sponge on "high" for two minutes whenever necessary -- this will kill dangerous bacteria.

5. Dry hands with a dish towel hung on a nearby cabinet or towel rack. Replace with a clean towel every few days and you will cut the cost of paper towels used for the same purpose.

6. Avoid cleaning windows and mirrors with paper towels, which often leave streaks and fibers on the glass. Instead, try using a soft, tightly-woven cloth or newspaper crumpled into a ball with a mix of water and white vinegar as a cleaning solution. Wear gloves if you use the newspaper as the ink may stain your hands -- but not the mirror or glass.

7. Clean a large, messy spill off the floor with a mop or dish towel instead of a large wad of paper towels. Of course, be prepared to wash these items immediately after use before storing them. It is practical to wipe a small mess off the floor with paper towels since the floor is a very dirty place and the paper is immediately thrown away. Never use a sponge on a floor without immediately rinsing it off and microwaving it to kill germs.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for paper towel rolls that are perforated in half-sheets.

• Always use the least amount of paper that will do the job.

References

• WebMD: Microwave Kills Germs in Sponges