With paper towels making up 3,000 tons of landfill trash every day, it’s hard to justify using those disposables—no matter how convenient they are—and it feels even harder to stop. But if you think about all the tasks you use a paper towel for, it’s easy to figure out how to replace them, from using microfiber towels on glass and mirrors to turning old shirts into rags to mop up messier spills. For more how-tos on giving up the roll, try these seven simple replacements.
1. To dry your hands
This is an easy one: there are plenty of ways to dry your hands without using paper. Cloth towels are simplest—and the prettiest, if you’re interested in keeping the look of your kitchen or bathroom up-to-date; try organic cotton towels for an even greener solution. You could also take your cues from Ed Begley, Jr., and his wife, Rachelle, and install an electric hand dryer, especially if you’re providing your home with power from an alternative energy source, like solar or wind. Even simpler? Just give your hands a quick shake and let them air dry.
2. To wipe the counter
If you’re used to grabbing a paper towel for every drip, crumb, and splatter that ends up on your tile, then your household waste will see a big reduction by replacing those paper towels with the reusable option that worked so well for generations: the sponge. From pushing crumbs into the trashcan to using a damp sponge to wipe up coffee stains and spaghetti sauce, a simple sponge is one of the most utilitarian tools in your kitchen—and if you’re worried about spreading bacteria, use the tried-and-true trick of microwaving a wet sponge for about 30 seconds to kill germs.
3. To soak up spills
For sopping up simple spills—water, fruit juice, cooking splatter—use absorbent cloth towels and wash them with your place mats, cloth napkins, and other food-prep fabrics. For more complicated spills, like juice from raw meat, set aside separate towels and wash them after each use to prevent bacteria from spreading—and keep in mind that using your hand towel without washing your hands after touching food will mean it, too, needs to be washed more often.
4. To shine glass
You can make your own glass cleaner from lemon juice, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, dish soap, and water, but when it comes to applying it to glass, sponges can leave streaks and terrycloth towels can give you a mirror covered in fuzz. Instead, use microfiber towels from Method that are specially-designed to work on glass and mirrors—or copy another trick from housekeeping gurus and use newspaper for a streak-free shine.
5. To scrub the bathroom
We understand if this is the one room in your home that makes you most inspired to use disposable cleaning products, but the rules that apply in your kitchen apply here, too: use a microfiber glass cleaner; microwave sponges and wash your scrubbing towels after every use to kill bacteria; and use non-toxic cleaners to keep your bathroom free from harsh chemicals.
6. To prep vegetables
Using paper towels to pat dry vegetables might not be the biggest drain on your weekly supply of disposables, but removing excess water will help when steaming, blanching, or drying raw veggies (and those techniques can help you preserve your fresh bounty for winter use). Simple cotton towels are your new best friend, here—or look for linen towels that absorb just as well without releasing any fibers.
7. To blow your nose
Grabbing a paper towel instead of a tissue during sneezing fits is probably hard enough on your nose that you don’t need more incentive to switch; but if you’re apt to grab a towel when the Kleenex aren’t close at hand, then try this trick from grandfathers everywhere: a handkerchief. Just make sure to grab a clean one each morning and—as with all your towels—wash them regularly.
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