Can you live without paper towels?

[Henrietta23]

I use waxed paper squares that I buy at sams club to cover food when nuking. They last forever and I use them for so many things. I know, it's just as bad as paper towels, but I reuse them many times also before throwing away.

Reading all these posts make me wish I still had all my old diapers. After the kids were potty trained, I did use them for everything! I think I finally reluctantly gave them to a friend that couldn't afford to buy any or buy disposables. I will have to go get some. I also want to get some flour sacks, I have been eyeing some.

Monica

I should get some flour sacks too. I wore out most of my son's old cloth diapers and bought new ones to use for cleaning.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

We buy paper towels, but use them thoroughly before throwing them out . . . here is what we do:

We tear one square in half (this is best done by folding it in half and then ripping it in half the other direction -- so each half has a fold at the top) and then we each use half as a napkin for dinner (just me and my H here). My "napkin" is usually relatively clean, so I use it again at breakfast. We usually don't sit down for lunch, even on weekends, so don't typically need one then. That's one square a day for two people. I then keep all but the very most soiled pieces so I can grab them to clean up the really icky stuff, or wipe butter out of a pan.

I buy paper towel at Costco, but I would guess only once a year.

I have lots of cloth napkins, but have a hard time justifying using them on just us. I like what someone said about buying mis-matched ones at thrift stores. I have found some really nice cloth napkins at our local thrift store before.

 

[Cassandra]

Man... I wish I could teach my husband "moderation." It's a losing battle. (Still haven't bought any, btw)

Cassandra

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Hey Cassandra, I admire your efforts! You and your husband are doing well with the cold turkey gig! Better than I could!

 

[sweetcorn]

In the kitchen I only use them when I fry bacon, french fries or some such to absorb grease or for placing hot cookies on to cool. When I'm not using them I HIDE the buggars or the hubby and kids would go thru a roll every couple days.

Diva paper towels are my favorite though, when I have a bad cold or my allergies are bad , I use them in place of kleenex. They are just as soft , but you can actually blow your nose on them a few times without them falling apart.

 

[PamsPride]

We don't use paper towels...never have. I made my own cloth napkins so now I rarely have to buy paper napkins. I just need to make more napkins.