Paper towels are convenient. You need to dry your hands? Paper Towel. Want a place to dry off some lettuce? Paper Towel. Uh oh, there is a spill, a splash, a drop or a mess. Paper Towel, Paper Towel, Paper Towel, Paper Towel.
Paper towels are convenient, light weight, small, and easy to store. Which is why 12 billion dollars’ worth of paper towels are sold worldwide every year. That is a lot of paper, and sure paper towels are convenient, but where does that paper come from and where does it go.
In the U.S. alone, paper towel use amounts to 13,000,000,000 lbs. of paper which is equivalent to 270 million trees chopped down for our convenience every year. Of course, when you add in the environmental costs of production, it goes beyond just the number of trees chopped down for that convenience. All told our paper towel consumption contributes to millions of metric tons of CO2 annually.1
Reading numbers like this and doing nothing is beyond my nature. Eliminating paper towel use altogether is not realistic but reducing our dependence on paper towels is something we can all do very easily.
There are alternatives to paper towels, and it starts with finding re-useable substitutes.
While looking into paper towel alternatives, I came across the SUPERSCANDI Swedish Dishcloths. I have been using them for about a month and so far they have surpassed my expectations.
They come in ten packs, and one cloth has the durability of 15 rolls of paper towel (one pack is equivalent to 150 rolls). They can be washed up to 50 times before breaking down and they are completely biodegradable. 100% compostable!
They also come in some really pretty patterns, but aside from the eco-friendly nature and cost-effective features, what I really like is that they don’t acquire that wet rag odor as they dry. The only downfall is that they stain pretty quickly, as I guess any other washcloth would. Therefore, I would recommend you to choose one of their darker options!
I’ll keep looking for ways to conveniently convene a more sustainable lifestyle. I’ve said “adios” to paper towels, and I hope it’s something you might consider as well.
Whether you’re camping, living the #Vanlife, or at home in a permanent residence, I think a paper towel alternative like the SUPERSCANDI Swedish Dishcloth, could easily fit your lifestyle.
Recommendation: All people.
Specs: 8.07 x 7.13 x 1.26 inches and 3.52 ounces
MSPR: $19.00/10 pack ($16.99 on Amazon)
thedihedral.com 
TY! I am guilty of using. Will look into it 🙏🐕♒️✔️
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Up until a month ago I was just as guilty, better late than never I guess!
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Exactly!🎊👍🏾
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Ok, so my questions are as follows:
1. Are paper towels biodegradable and/or compostable?
2. What is the environmental damage caused by washing dish towels?
Don’t get me wrong, I am always looking for ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, but I also wonder about the cost effectiveness of the “better” alternative. I have begun to look for ways to reduce my water consumption since water is expensive in our location and may become a limited resource….I won’t expand on how I have been reducing my water consumption, ha ha! FYI, I did a DIY project yesterday. I hot glued jute twine to a repurposed cardboard box to make a decorative container. It occured to me while I was doing this that it would be a great way to repurpose old climbing ropes! One can never have too many decorative boxes. I also thought about gluing the twine/rope to repurposed plastic containers such as PB containers or the like. Then I thought you guys could do a climbing/outdoors themed reuse/repurpose artice to further help the cause. LOL, I know you guys don’t have enough to do, unlike me. HA Ha! BTW, we don’t have curbside recycling here either! What a shame. The nearest “full service” recycling drop off is over 20 miles away. I was spoiled with the curbside recycling. TMI?
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Great questions Rhonda, Paper Towels are compostable. But the problem with paper towels is at the front end. The eco cost is in the resources used to make them especially the number of trees and the amount of water needed, then packaging (plastic) and delivery, really bump that footprint up. The water used in washing dishtowels like the ones here is negligible. They can just be tossed in the dishwasher when you run a load of dishes or the washer when you do a load of laundry. RHONDA…you have to write us a guest post on how to DIY repurposed climbing gear, that would be so cool!!! I could see old jars used to hold carabiners and draws, or old carabiners used as hooks, so many possibilities! It stinks that there isn’t any curbside recycling, that is so easy to take for granted. I guess that means you guys will have to move back! Not to worry, though I know someone selling a house!
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LOL. About the house, miss everyone, but love the outdoor paradise of this area. Everyone needs to move here!! “World class” climbing, mountaineering, biking, camping, skiing, paddle boarding, you name it, it is a stone’s throw away. I’ll think about writing an article on ideas for repurposing climbing and other gear.
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Our local coop sells something called “sponge cloths”, which look like the same thing. Unlike a regular cellulose sponge, they absorb even when dry. They are great for drying a cast iron skillet to prevent rust. They clean the counter and mop up spills. It appears they will last longer than a sponge – so they replace both sponges and paper towels in my kitchen.
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I’ll have to check those out!!! There are ways to do better, it takes a little getting used to, things like Sponge Cloths make it a little easier!
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Two years ago I cut up some old t-shirts that I use in place of paper towels for many cleaning tasks. Admittedly, I still use paper towels but reduced our consumption greatly. I’ll definitely look into these cloths!
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T-Shirts is such a great idea. I get so excited to hear different ways to reduce and reuse. Let me know if you have any other tips, and thank you for the comment!
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I thought I was the only one obsessed with this item! I discovered them about two years ago and could only find them on Amazon, as they seem to be more of a European thing, but luckily having moved to Europe, problem solved and I don’t need Amazon (yay) I think they are a great alternative besides all the reasons you mentioned and they really are superior at collecting excess water. Win Win!
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You are so right…I can’t believe I forgot to mention collecting water…the thing is like a sponge! Thanks for sharing judyjudygirl!
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