Comments on: A Paper Towel Alternative

By: Monica

Monica — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:39:58 +0000

I bought some large microfiber cloths at Target; cut them in quarters and overcast stitched the edges. I wet one and use it to swipe the bathroom daily (ala FlyLady style). I start with the shiny side on the mirror and faucets; then flip it over the wipe off the counter; and then lastly I wipe the toilet lid, seat, outside bowl. Once I’ve used it on the toilet, I’m done using that cloth. Then it goes on the edge of the basket in laundry room to dry and then gets washed with the load of rags later in the week.

By: Emily

Emily — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:34:29 +0000

Thanks for the tips. Can anyone suggest the best spray bottles to use for homemade cleaners? I’ve used some in the past that are just junk. I’m ready to mix up my own cleaners now, but I’m hesitating on the bottle issue. Drives me nuts to pick one up and it quits working after a few uses. I’d love your suggestions. Thanks again!

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:51:27 +0000

Seriously: Everyone should go and get those Walmart automotive dept. microfiber towels. They are ~awesome~.

Thank you, thank you!

By: smallnotebook

smallnotebook — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:15:48 +0000

nice ideas!

By: speedogirl2

speedogirl2 — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:26:44 +0000

I love mine, I use them as hand drying towels in the bathroom and kitchen. I was able to score a package of 32(?) for $16 at Costco last year.

By: hils

hils — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:23:20 +0000

We love microfiber for stuffing our cloth diapers! I also sewed two together and wrap my hair in it instead of a towel, and then I only need a hand towel to dry my whole body. Saves on laundry to wash a few hand towels instead of giant body sized towels!

By: smallnotebook

smallnotebook — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:40:32 +0000

Good questions Jasi – I definitely think it’s ok to use paper towels if you need to for germy things or food safety. I still have my old roll of paper towels sitting around in case I need to use them. Since I don’t use them to dry hands or wipe crumbs, or clean mirrors or that kind of thing, one roll lasts me many, many months.

For cleaning the toilets, I just can’t bring myself to do that either, even if it’s probably fine. (I guess it would be the same as cloth-diapering, but I’m just not ready for that yet.) I will still use a paper towel for that, or even paper napkins left over from a takeout restaurant.

We don’t cook a lot of meat, but I think the last time I cooked a roast I trimmed it in the sink and then sanitized the sink and rinsed it out. If there was meat juice on the countertop I might use a paper towel. I wouldn’t use a dish rag to clean meat and then use it to wipe the table, for instance. The dish rags get switched out for clean ones at the end of the day anyways.

I think soap and water do a good job of getting rid of most germs. I’m big on hand washing. To really sanitize light switches and door knobs though, I use rubbing alcohol on either a cotton ball or a microfiber cloth. Those hold more liquid than paper towels so I feel like they work better for that.

By: smallnotebook

smallnotebook — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:37:03 +0000

Hope they work out for you avlor! Good luck for the hamster cage, I know pets are a good reason to keep a few paper towels around just in case.

Jill, I love using the microfiber on laminate floors. I don’t have a Swiffer, but my kitchen is so small I can just take a minute to wipe it up by hand.

By: Jasi

Jasi — Sun, 18 May 2008 22:47:06 +0000

That’s awesome, but I have some questions.
-How do you clean a germy bathroom? (Toilet, sink, disinfect doorknobs)
-How do you clean meat and possible contaminants off of kitchen counter tops?
-How do you help defend against cold and flu germs?

I’m -really- interested in using microfiber cloths, but reluctant to toss potty germs into my laundry. Do you have any ideas?

By: Jill

Jill — Sun, 18 May 2008 05:03:18 +0000

I cut up a few microfiber towels to the size of Swiffer cloths. So now I use them to mop the laminate floor. They do a great job — but I haven’t given up my bounty select-a-size rolls yet!