Switching to cloth kitchen towels saves money and is much better for the environment than using paper towels.  The paper towel industry creates roughly six million pounds of paper waste per day.  Each sheet takes nearly a month to break down, and as paper towels break down they release a harmful greenhouse gas called methane into the environment.  Cloth kitchen towels are much better for the planet and are available in a variety of fabrics.  Some of the most sustainable options are 100% organic cotton or bamboo. For the longest-lasting and most durable kitchen cloth towels look for ones that have a hem sewn around their edge.  You can also sew your kitchen towels yourself.  Use fabrics that you already have at home or purchase sustainable fabrics that are new or used.

The cloth is more absorbent than paper and high-quality kitchen towels will last for many years.  Kitchen towels made from cloth are extremely versatile.  They can be used for cooking, cleaning, camping, or even as cloth napkins for casual dining.  They come in traditional white, off-white, and many bright colors and patterns to match the style of your home.  These reusable towels are very easy to clean and look beautiful in a stack of rolled up to fit inside a basket on your kitchen counter.

Tips: Keep a good amount of cloth towels on hand somewhere convenient to grab one if something spills.  Place a basket or bin under the kitchen sink to discard any used towels.  If kitchen towels become stained, soak them in a bucket of cold water & laundry detergent for several days before washing. Add the towels in with your other warm laundry loads & dry them with a low drier setting.