Home Essentials

Reusable Paper Towels: What to Know Before You Switch

Paper towels are an everyday household essential. They’re convenient, useful, and somehow incredibly easy to go through. A quick spill, wiping down the counter, drying your hands, cleaning up after dinner: there always seems to be another sheet within reach.

Reusable paper towels offer a different approach. Instead of using a sheet once and throwing it away, washable towels can be used again and again for many of the same everyday tasks.

But are they actually practical? What are reusable paper towels made from? How do you wash them? And what should you look for when choosing a set?

I wanted to take a closer look at how reusable paper towels work, where they’re actually useful, and what to consider before making the switch.

BY ELLE EDITORIAL STAFF • 4 MIN READ
Affiliate Disclosure

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Quick Verdict

  • Reusable paper towels can replace many everyday uses for disposable paper towels.
  • Look for washable, absorbent materials that fit naturally into your routine.
  • The best option depends on how you plan to use, wash, and store them.

Best For

Households looking to reduce their reliance on disposable paper towels without giving up the convenience of having a dedicated towel for everyday messes.

How do you source your editorial collections?

Our editorial collections are meticulously curated by our internal team, who hand-select unique, high-quality modern home decor and minimalist lifestyle objects directly from independent global artisans and historical design houses.

Because our heirloom and vintage pieces carry historical character and individual patina, they are sold as-is and are final sale. We provide high-resolution studio imagery and scale measurements to assist with your selection.

Yes, we ship globally using specialized art couriers. For large furniture and fragile items, we arrange premium white-glove delivery, which includes unpacking, home placement, and debris removal.

Absolutely. Our residential design curators offer tailor-made virtual and in-person consultations to help you harmonize your space. Please fill out our styling questionnaire to initiate a booking.

cshow

WHAT ARE REUSABLE PAPER TOWELS?

Reusable paper towels are washable towels designed to replace some of the everyday jobs we usually use disposable paper towels for.

Instead of throwing them away after wiping down the counter, drying your hands, or cleaning up a small spill, you simply wash the towel and use it again.

Earthly Co. created its notpaper™ towels around this idea, describing them as something between a traditional tea towel and a disposable paper towel. According to the brand, they’re designed to be washable, absorbent, soft, and easy to use around the home.

WHY PEOPLE LIKE REUSABLE PAPER TOWELS

  • Washable and reusable
  • Can handle many everyday household tasks
  • Can be used as cleaning towels or napkins
  • Creates an alternative to constantly reaching for disposable paper towels

WHAT TO CONSIDER

  • They need to be washed and dried
  • You'll need a convenient place to store used towels
  • You'll need enough towels to rotate through your routine
  • They're not necessarily a replacement for every disposable-paper-towel use

Earthly Co. Notpaper™ Towels

Picking Lemons

Affiliate Link. Prices and availability may change.
Explore Earthly Co.

HOW DO REUSABLE PAPER TOWELS WORK?

The basic idea is simple: use the towel for an everyday household task, set it aside when you're done, wash it, and put it back with the clean towels.

The biggest adjustment isn't really learning how to use one. It's figuring out a system that makes reusable towels just as convenient as disposable ones.

Keeping clean towels somewhere easy to reach, along with having a designated spot for used ones, can make the transition a lot easier.

Stack of reusable paper towels on a kitchen counter

WHERE CAN YOU USE REUSABLE PAPER TOWELS?

From kitchen counters and small spills to cloth napkins and bathroom hand towels, reusable paper towels can be useful for more everyday tasks than you might expect.

Kitchen

  • Wiping counters
  • Cleaning up small spills
  • Drying hands
  • Using as cloth napkins
  • Everyday surface cleaning

Around the Home

  • Bathroom hand towels
  • Washcloths
  • Guest washcloths
  • Unexpected messes
  • Keeping one in purse, bag, or vehicle

BUYING GUIDE: WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN REUSABLE PAPER TOWELS

Not every reusable paper towel will feel or work the same way. Before choosing one, think about the material, how absorbent it is, how thick it feels, the washing instructions, and the size. It’s also worth considering how easy it will be to keep clean and used towels organized.

Reusable paper towels on a wooden holder in a modern kitchen
01 / Material

What Are They Made From?

Look at the fabric first. The material can affect how soft and absorbent the towel is, how well it holds up over time, how it needs to be washed, and how it feels when you’re using it around the house. If you’re trying to make sense of fabric labels, my guide to household textile certifications explains what several common standards actually mean.

02 / Performance

Absorbency & Thickness

A reusable paper towel should be practical enough for everyday messes without feeling too bulky. Look for a fabric that’s absorbent enough for the jobs you’ll use it for, and consider whether the thickness feels right for you.

03 / care

How Easy Are They To Wash?

Reusable towels need to fit into your normal laundry routine. Check the care instructions before buying, and think about where you’ll keep used towels until it’s time to wash them.

04 / Routine

Will You Actually Use Them?

The most useful reusable towel is one that’s easy to grab when you need it. Think about where you’ll store them, how many you’ll need, and whether the design makes it easy to keep them somewhere visible and convenient.

EARTHLY CO. NOTPAPER™ TOWELS

Earthly Co. created its notpaper™ towels as a washable alternative to disposable paper towels. According to the brand, the idea was to make something that sits somewhere between a tea towel and a disposable paper towel: washable, absorbent, soft, and easy to use.

The brand says its notpaper™ towels can be used for everyday cleaning, wiping down kitchen counters, as cloth napkins, or as hand towels in the bathroom. They can even be kept in a purse for those unexpected little messes.

Another thing that stands out is the range of patterns and colors. Instead of treating reusable towels as something to hide away in a cleaning cupboard, Earthly Co. makes them nice enough to leave out where you can easily grab one.

COLLECTED BY ELLE'S PICK

Earthly Co. Notpaper™ Towels

Forest Walk
Affiliate Link. Prices and availability may change.
Explore Earthly Co.
cshow

HOW DO YOU WASH REUSABLE PAPER TOWELS?

Washing is one of the biggest differences between reusable and disposable paper towels.

Instead of tossing a towel after each use, you’ll need somewhere to keep the used ones until laundry day. Care instructions can vary from one product to another, so it’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

For Earthly Co.’s notpaper™ towels, the brand describes them as washable and reusable, so they’re made to be used repeatedly rather than thrown away after a single task.

ARE REUSABLE PAPER TOWELS WORTH IT?

Whether reusable paper towels are worth it really comes down to your household routine.

If you regularly go through disposable paper towels for small spills, wiping counters, using as napkins, or everyday cleaning, reusable towels can be a useful alternative.

The trade-off is that reusable towels need to be washed, dried, and kept organized. If you already do regular laundry and don’t mind keeping a supply of clean towels on hand, that may be an easy adjustment. If you want the quickest possible cleanup, though, disposable paper towels may still make more sense for some jobs.

You don’t have to choose one or the other, either. Reusable towels can handle plenty of everyday messes, while disposable paper towels can stay on hand for situations where you’d rather use them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are reusable paper towels?

Reusable paper towels are washable towels designed to handle many of the everyday jobs you’d normally use disposable paper towels for. Instead of throwing them away after use, you wash them and use them again. They can be handy for wiping counters, cleaning up spills, drying hands, or even using as cloth napkins.

Reusable paper towels are used much like regular paper towels, but they’re made to be washed instead of thrown away. After using one, you set it aside, wash and dry it according to the manufacturer’s care instructions, and then use it again.

The washing instructions depend on the material and manufacturer, so it’s best to follow the care instructions that come with your towels. Earthly Co., for example, describes its notpaper™ towels as washable and reusable. It can also help to keep a designated spot for used towels, so they’re easy to collect and wash as part of your regular laundry.

Reusable paper towels can be made from different fabrics, so it’s worth checking the product details before buying. Earthly Co., for example, says its notpaper™ towels are made from 100% cotton flannel.

You can use reusable paper towels for many everyday household tasks, including wiping kitchen counters, cleaning up small spills, drying hands, and using them as cloth napkins. Earthly Co. also suggests using its notpaper™ towels as bathroom hand towels or keeping one or two in a purse for those unexpected little messes.

They can be, especially if you go through a lot of disposable paper towels for everyday cleaning and want a washable option instead. The trade-off is that reusable towels need to be collected, washed, dried, and put away. Whether they’re worth it really comes down to your household and how easily they fit into your routine.

There isn’t one set lifespan for every reusable paper towel. It can depend on the fabric, how often you use them, how they’re washed, and how well they’re cared for. If a manufacturer provides specific durability or lifespan information, that’s the best place to start.

You can find reusable paper towels from a variety of retailers and brands that make reusable household products. When comparing options, look at the material, size, absorbency, washing instructions, and what you plan to use them for. The prettiest option isn’t necessarily going to be the most practical one.

Final Thoughts

Reusable paper towels aren’t meant to make everyday life more complicated. If anything, the appeal is the opposite: having a washable option ready for the small messes, spills, meals, and cleaning jobs that can quickly mean reaching for another disposable paper towel.

If you’re looking for other practical changes, these simple kitchen swaps for a more intentional home offer a few more places to start.

The right choice really comes down to what works for your household. What feels absorbent enough? What fits into your laundry routine? And, perhaps most importantly, what will you actually remember to keep within reach?

If you’re looking for a reusable option that combines everyday function with a more decorative look, Earthly Co.’s notpaper™ towels are one option worth considering.

Recent Articles