You should not use paper towels for this: cases and alternatives
Kitchen roll is handy for cleaning around the home but it has its limitations. Let’s look at when it might be best to use another method to clean.
Kitchen roll or paper towels are a popular household staple, often hailed as a quick fix for spills, cleaning dirty surfaces in the kitchen or just drying your hands. The biggest consumer of paper towels is the United States - 321.87 million Americans used paper towels in 2020, spending an average of $5 billion a year on them.
Their environmental impact however is less than stellar. These single-use items are ideal to mop up mess but usually end up in the trash immediately after use, and their production sometimes involves harmful bleaching agents or even carcinogenic chemicals.
When not to use paper towels in the home
For those who can’t part ways with paper towels, here’s a list of situations where their use might do more harm than good:
- Carpet Spills Though paper towels absorb liquid quickly, rubbing stains on carpets can cause the paper to fray, leaving behind pesky fibers. Dish towels are a better choice for cleaning wet spots on carpets.
- Stovetop and Grill Grime Scrubbing tough residue with paper towels often results in shredding. Instead, let stubborn stains soak in warm, soapy water and use a sponge to clean. You’ll save money and avoid unnecessary waste.
- Cheese Graters and Vegetable Peelers Drying these tools with paper towels can cause the paper to tear into small fragments. It’s best to let them air-dry naturally.
- Eyeglasses Cleaning eyeglasses with paper towels can create microscopic scratches that degrade lens quality over time. Opt for specialized lens cleaning wipes with a gentle cleaning solution.
- TV Screens and Monitors Like eyeglasses, delicate LCD and LED screens can be damaged by the rough texture of paper towels. Use microfiber cloths for these surfaces.
- Camera Lenses Camera lenses are especially sensitive. Paper towels can scratch the lens, often requiring replacement. Use lens-specific cleaning materials instead.
Is kitchen roll bad for the environment?
According to a study by the Öko-Institut, some paper towels contain 3-monochloropropanediol (MCPD), a chemical classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
While levels are typically below regulatory limits, it’s best to avoid prolonged contact between paper towels and moist or liquid foods. Opt for reusable cotton kitchen towels instead—they’re washable and eco-friendly.
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