We've slowly been weaning off our disposable products. Cloth napkins were an easy thing. We don't use a lot of papertowels, but we do use more than I'd like. I know my husband likes them for cleaning out our cast iron skillets. I like them for cleaning bathrooms (because, ew, I'm way too much of a germaphobe).

Because they still sit on our countertop, they're just too easy to reach for in a pinch. Even I do it sometimes (ducking head sheepishly).

I've heard of using "bar cloths", which I think you can get at Bed Bath & Beyond type stores. Gimme some encouragement and other ideas here, ladies.

Bamboo towelettes- I got one of these once and really liked it. Lasted a long time with heavy use. I've been meaning to get some more.

http://www.shirtsofbamboo.com/bambo...15b231622b

I got some really great bar towels at Sam's club and they are great! I just used up what paper towels I had and haven't bought any more. I also use old rags/shirts whatever for cleaning. microfiber works well for glass. you can get them for a dollar at the Dollar Tree.


good luck!

I think that you shouldn't feel guilty for using them sometimes. If you try hard to only use them in the bathroom, then what's the big deal? Maybe you could find some kind of common ground. Your hubby uses them for the skillets and you use them for the bathroom, everything else is cleaned with towels, cloths, etc. I have a "rule" that I only use them for cat vomit or hair balls. And I don't feel guilty about it! I used to use a roll of paper towels every few days, so now, I think I'm doing pretty good! Otherwise, just make sure you have a stack of towels or rags handy so that you aren't so tempted to use the paper towels. Take them off the counter and put them in a hard-to-get-to spot.

I agree with holistic hen. You have to look at the big picture and try to make improvements where you can. Its unrealistic to think that we can change every bad habit overnight and you are more likely to make progress if you change little by little. All or nothing can be overwhelming and ultimately end in failure and frustration! Just my 2 cents---

I was thinking of trying to make some cloths like these Unpaper towels
You can see a picture where they are all rolled up like paper towels, so I guess you could even use the paper towel holder on the countertop.

If you figure out another solution for the cast iron skillets, let me know. I sometimes use kitchen towels, but paper towels work SOOO much better.

I got rid of the handy paper towel holder in my kitchen and replaced it with a wire basket to hold rags.  I then bought some crazy amount (like maybe four?) of those great big cheap stacks of white washcloths, and I filled the basket with as many as it would hold, then put the rest in the pantry where I used to keep paper towels.  (The remaining paper towels I moved up to high place where it is inconvenient to get to them, so I really truly only use them for cat issues, same as holistic hen.)   Then I bought a trash bin that is just for dirty kitchen laundry, and I put it right by the regular trash can, so all I have to do is use a rag like I would have used a paper towel, then toss it in the laundry trash bin, then use another next time I need one.  I use them for everything--scooping up big messes of toddler food, wiping out the cast iron skillet, cleaning, etc.  They differ from paper towels in that they absorb more, and that I have to shake them out over the sink or trash before I put them in the can, since I don't want big gloppy food messes in my washer.  But that's it.  They are really just as convenient as paper towels. 

I feel confident in a hot water wash and regular detergent's ability to kill the germs, but I *do* bleach them with regular bleach about once every four months, which is probably more about me than them, but it whitens them and makes me feel like they are really sterile again.  (I know, bleach is bad.  Sorry, I'm going to h3ll,  but it's just a few times per year, and it keeps me from using paper towels.  I did this with my pre-folds too, same justification, and I never had to strip them!)

I still keep paper towels on the counter and my washcloths under the sink, I bet if I switched the two we would use a lot less paper towels. I go for the washcloths first but Joel and the kids use more paper towels. Good idea happileigh.

I'm another paper towel user for cast iron, especially if we've cooked meat in it.

We have paper towels and I usually buy a big bunch at Sam's. About six weeks ago I used up the roll in the kitchen. I have more in the basement, but I'm too lazy to go get them. So, I've been using washcloths, towels & cloth napkins for everything. Maybe the key is to just not have them available & you will find something else to use. I don't feel put out by not having paper towels. And my husband, who is home in the kitchen more that I am, hasn't seemed to even notice. Now its like a game, too see how long it takes for somebody to give in and go downstairs and get the paper towels. I really don't miss them at all.

maybe using paper towels from recycled paper would make you feel less guilty?

we just dont buy paper towels. :\
and dh refuses to clean the skillet.

so i got nothing.

I think we've made some progress. I've put a pile of white washcloths I bought at Target in front of the paper towel holder. That way I have to physically reach over them to get a paper towel. I've been using them a lot. I think Dh has used them less.

I do think finding a different spot for the holder would help.I'll have to think about where...

This shows up in my unread threads as I get another complaint from dh about how he would clean the cast iron skillet if we had paper towels. Ugh. I haven't bought paper towels in months. Our cast iron sits on the stove permanently (as it is used that much), and as he makes eggs he drops the nasty dirty eggshells with egg all over them into the cast iron skillet. Today I asked him to PLEASE not do that as I have to clean the pan all over again. He says he would clean the pan if we had paper towels. Well, the pan would not need to be cleaned if you didn't throw nasty egg shells in the pan.

Okay, that was a little off topic, but not really.