The Paper Towel Alternative and Giveaway
Paper towels used to be my best friend in the kitchen. I used them for everything and probably went through a roll every two days. At the time, I often felt it was environmentally wasteful, but that was never enough to get me to change my ways. Then we started down the frugal road and began to see my paper towel usage in a whole new way. I realized that they were not just environmentally wasteful, but also economically wasteful. So began my search for a better way.
About this same time, my husband was in the very beginning stages of building our commercial cleaning business. He was going through a lot more paper towels than I was. Together, we sought out alternatives. We’ve gone a few different routes - such as having different types of cloth rags for different jobs - but have finally settled on a style of rag that works equally well for every possible use. We now use commercial quality, lint free cloth rags for everything, both in the business and at home.
I am amazed at how easy the transition to cloth has been around the house. I use the rags for dusting and cleaning glass. I use them to wipe up stains on the floor. I use a specially designated dish rag or sponge for wiping down the counters and washing dishes. I even have some rags set aside that I use just for absorbing grease when making bacon or ground beef. I used to use paper towels for covering things in the microwave, now I use a plate.
I haven’t found the cloth route much more work either. I simply let the dirty rags sit in a bucket or extra laundry tub until it is full. Then I wash them together in hot water with bleach. I usually only have one load of towels a week that needs to be washed. I don’t think I’ll ever have the desire to switch back to paper towels.
If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to cloth rags instead of paper towels, we’re offering a giveaway this week as an incentive to help get you started. (Or if you’ve already made the switch but could use a few more rags, that’s fine too.) The giveaway winner will receive 12 commercial quality, lint free, white and off-white cleaning rags. These are reclaimed rags from my husband’s cleaning business supplier and they have been laundered, bleached, and are ready for immediate use.
To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment expressing your interest. This giveaway will be ongoing until next Friday, August 29th.
Head on over to Crystal’s blog for more Frugal Friday.
AUTHOR | Kate Miller
Kate, one of the original 3 Moms, is a happy wife and stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of 4 children, ages 9, 4, 3, and 1 1/2. She and her family have spent the past few years purposefully living a simple and frugal life. Along the way, she has learned many frugal and financially-wise tips to help her family save and intelligently spend money while still enjoying an immensely full and wonderful life. You can read more about Kate on her personal blog, A Simple Walk and on her foodie blog, Cooking During Stolen Moments.
I so agree. I still use paper towels, but a lot less than before. I try to you towels for as much as possible. Thanks for the giveaway.
you won’t find a paper towel or paper napkin in our house. we use old kitchen rags and cloth napkins. one little way we are greener.
Hi! I have been thinking of making the switch. Paper towels are either too cheap to be any good or just too expensive to just throw away!
Plus, I hate to see money that could go for something better on a “luxury” item!
Please enter me in the giveaway!
Julie
I do the same thing, too, but I have very few rags!
I would love to add to my cleaning supply! 
Blessings,
Michele
I decided several months ago I was sick and tired of throwing my money in the grabage by purchasing paper towels. Not to mention they are hard on our earth. I have been wanting to get some more multi purpose cloths and make my own cloth knapkins!
THis would be great to win! Thanks for the chance.
I would love to see if something more along the lines of a commercial grade would make me want to give up paper towels.
I’ve been blogging about this very thing lately; going green and saving money too. This is a great post on just that. I’ve been thinking about cutting up some old t-shirts to use as rags. But I bet your lint-free ones would be much better. Nevertheless, I’ve decided that once our paper towel supply is gone, we won’t be buying any more. I guess I better find some cloth wipes soon! Maybe I will win some of yours to give a try. Thanks!
I have been using commerical cleaning rags for years since my dh had his cleaning business. Eventually I took over and now I am a stay at home mom, but those rags are still going on strong 15 years later. We also made the switch from paper napkins to cloth napkins. It was a much easier transistion then I expected.
Michele
We still use paper towels but a roll will last us almost a month, so we don’t use them often. Thanks for the give away!
I have been thinking about switching and I’ve been getting ideas about which rags are the best. I worry about the lint factor even with lint-free towels, as I have used them in the past.
I would love to entered into your drawing! Thanks.
I have a “rag bag” for cleaning up the kitchen/drying my hands. I let guests use real hand towels!
I would love to give it a try, and what a great way. Sign me up : )
Hi,
I would like to enter this contest please.
My name is Donna and I have a paper towel addiction. I have actually gotten better. A few months ago, I purchased 2 packs of microfiber cloths from BJ’s and they have helped me cut down on my horrible paper towel usage. I keep them out everywhere so they are visible. They really do a great job and I am starting to see the savings from not having to buy a 12 pack of paper towels each week.
Would love to win! Am trying to get greener, little bit by little bit!
This is a really neat and useful giveaway!
We are now on our last paper towel. I’ve been putting off buying more, because they are just so expensive. I try to use cloth rags and napkins the majority of the time. However, my rag supply is very low. Winning these would be great.
Thanks!
I’ve been thinking we need to make the switch. I just haven’t gotten to the point of having an alternate method yet. There are certain things (like patting a chicken dry) that I think paper towels are healthier method. How do you handle potential health hazards like raw meat juices?
I got threw way to many paper towls. I would love to win this set!!
I’ve been contemplating this one a LOT lately but haven’t made the switch yet. I’d love to make the switch though.
Thank you for offering the giveaway!
Count me in, please.
My family grew up using washcloths, but my wife was horrified to learn we didn’t use paper towels. She’s slowly adjusting, but since she does most of the kitchen cleaning, she still likes the disposable stuff.
Thanks!
~Luke
Hi!
I’ve been thinking about switching to cloth rags, so I’d love to see how these in particular work. Thanks for doing this giveaway!
Looks like a great idea!!
Thanks-
Stacey
I would love a shot at the cloths. I’ve been using old diapers but would love something new. Now if I can get my husband switched!
Will you please include me into this contest.
My Family and I use paper towels way to often and I would love to get away from using them so often.
We are in the process of making the switch to using cloth instead of paper. Thank you for the giveaway.
I have been trying to make the switch but don’t have enough towels. This would be great for us to make the switch completely!! Thanks for the giveaway!
I am definitely interested. Thank you for the giveaway.
totally interested! thanks.
I’m willing to give it a try. Thanks for the post and contest.
Oh, I’ve been wanting to make this switch ever since you wrote about it on your other blog! Thanks for the opportunity.
Finally… I can stop using old t-shirts
Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve been wanting to switch to cloth, but haven’t made the time to research my options. I think about it more often as I watch my paper towel supply dwindle… I really don’t want to refill.
Just in case I don’t win, lol, how can I get the same commercial quality cloths that you have?
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
I would love to be included in the contest.
Angela
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tammy, on August 22nd, 2008 at 6:12 pm Said: Edit Comment
I am new to your blog and really enjoy your ideas and tips. I am a stay at home mom in the “baby steps” of learning frugal living. I love the no paper towel idea. Please enter me in the giveaway and thanks for sharing. tmminchew
Please enter me in the giveaway ~ I would love to switch away from paper towels!
This is a great giveaway! I’ve been trying to make the transition to all cloth rags. The hardest part is convincing my husband that we don’t need to use paper towels for everything.
Thanks for offering this.
Please enter me in the giveaway! I am definitely interested in making the switch from paper towels to cloth.
And to echo Amy above…for those that aren’t lucky enough to win the cloths…where can we get these? Thanks.
I’ve been working on convincing my husband to switch from paper to cloth for a little while now, so if we were to get them free, that would probably do it!
For all of us who don’t win, could you let us know of a good place to get these rags and the approximate cost?
Thanks so much!
What a great idea! I go through so many paper towels and thought that it would be just to much work to use cloth. I would love to win and make the switch.
I currently use a lot of paper towels and did not consider using rags until reading your blog. I am in the process of trying to save money and can see where this would be helpful.
I had also become convicted of this lately. I first bought plain white wash clothes in bulk at my local super store. I think I may like yours better though!
Any ideas for replacing the pesky paper napkins? My family goes through a TON of those!
Traci
I’ve been slowly moving toward cutting our papertowel use. I started using rags to wipe up counters & windows. And when I do use papertowels, I try to rinse them & re-use (instead of pulling 3 or 4 off the roll!) So I would love to be entered in the contest - we can use more than 4 rags in our family!
I love paper towels, but have been looking into longer lasting alternatives. This would be a great way to get the ball rolling. I do a lot of cleaning with two boys in the house!
I would LOVE to get rid of papertowels in my house, but I have a hard-headed husband. Maybe if I had more rags, he’d get the point!
I would love to have these and work towards a paper towel free home.
Thanks!
We use cloth a lot and would love to win these.
Amanda
I would love to be included in your givaway! The thought of never buying paper towels again is exciting! Thanks for your website you are very inspirational.
We have made the switch, but I am in need of some new ones! Mine leave tons of lint and are so disgusting to look at!
Sounds great! Please count me in!!
We do the same thing, but our rags are my husband’s old boxers and t-shirts! We could so use some new ones
We made the switch three years ago and have not missed paper towels at all. Please count me in for the giveaway!
Paper towels are a thing of the past at our house! We’d love to win the giveaway!
Plut me in for the giveaway. With 5 children we could really use these. We haven’t bought paper towels in over 6 months!
Please enter me in your contest.
I still use paper towels, but try to use mostly rags. A roll of paper towels lasts me a month.
I don’t us paper towels much in my house. I mostly use older towels and rags.
Thanks for the opportunity for the giveaway… I started to use white wash cloths a few months ago in the kitchen this has cut down on a lot of paper towel use… I bought them in a twelve pack for about three dollars at Kohls…I also put one of those double ring towel stands that are meant for the bathroom .. it sits next to my kitchen sink … I tell everyone that the towel on the front ring is for drying your hands … the towel on the back ring is for drying dishes … makes me feel more sanitary since kids dont always wash their hands very well and that towel wont be used for dishes.
Yay! PLease enter me in your contest! I found you thru google when I was browsing the net to find the best company for me as I make the switch! I LOVE the idea even more of reclaimed rags!!!! Count me in please and Thank yuo for being aware and teaching awareness!!
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