Growing up my mother always used small rags. She would cut up old towels or t shirts into smaller usable sizes, would wash with regular towels. I raiesed five kids and hardly ever used paper towels, mostly will greasy or toxic stuff. Now, it takes me about 6 months or more to go through a role of paper towels. It’s a good habit to get in to.
I'm 66 and growing up as a kid and even into my teens, mom used rags as well; let's not forget the sponge that came in a variety of material. Always kept them disinfected with a little bleach and water. We survived without paper towels.
Started using washable rags in 2020 and haven't looked back. I keep a roll of the dead tree stuff for certain really nasty things (oil for instance), but rags for most wipeups. A roll of paper lasts months now.
Um, there’s a few problems with this advice. One, rags made from worn clothing are not always made of cotton - they often have an high percentage of oil-based fibers like polyester, and I find that these fibers do not absorb or clean up spills nearly as well as paper towels. In fact, a lot of the time all these polyester textiles do is “smear” the liquid around without really absorbing it. Microfiber clothes are supposed to be better at absorbing spills, but again, they don’t always absorb that well unless you take a lot of special care of them (I’ve seen the videos - washing them only in cold water, and only with other microfiber clothes, etc.). And if you don’t clean them in exactly the right way, they don’t clean very well and lose their mojo. And never mind the environmental consequences of all that microfiber washing down the drain line into the sewer system. Our current waste water reclamation plants are not set up to cleanse microfibers out of the water, and so it washes out into the oceans where it has negative consequences for fish, plants, other sea life, and the ecology of the oceans as a whole. But the reason I prefer paper towels is the health and hygiene factor. No one can completely cleanse the skin of microbes. Thus, when you wipe your “clean” wet hands on a cloth towel, you inevitably transfer dirt, soap, oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria to the towel. Ever wonder why your bathroom and kitchen hand towels look so dingy after a while? In spite of the super duper washing products you use in the laundry? Well, that’s why. And I really don’t think it’s very economical OR environmentally “friendly” to have single use cloth hand towels in the kitchen and bathroom. Having to do THAT much laundry every day/week is a real hassle, to say nothing of the water and electricity used and the detergent released into the water supply. And if your hand towels are NOT single use, well, then all that grime really starts to build up after two or three days (or weeks, depending on how often you’re motivated to change them), and they look and smell kind of funky. Ich. And it just makes my skin crawl after a while to think about wiping my fleshly washed “clean” hands on that (actually) dirty hand towel. So, I reach for the paper towels. They are single use, and the often made of recycled paper, and frankly, being made of 100% plant material (wood cellulose), they biodegrade pretty easily in the landfill or compost (I think community composters SHOULD allow paper towels in the composting bin). And I just FEEL better from an hygiene perspective using paper towels. But anyway, that’s just me. I do think that in general, most of your advice is valid.
We eliminated paper towels 7 years ago in our home. We have a drawer full of a variety of rags and a basket under the sink for dirty rags to be washed. We use cloth napkins and have a small wicker hamper in the dining area that all of those go in. I wash them in separate loads. It’s worked great for our family of four and recommend it to all.
I have rags but I still use too many paper towels. So I need more rags. I did switch to dish rags, instead of sponges that stink. They wash just as well.
We also use old bath/hand towels cut into smaller cleaning rags. If you buy new cleaning rags just don’t buy microfiber clothes!!!! They are promoted as great for cleaning but they leave microplastic in the water and have been found in our rivers and oceans and fish😢
I used 2 maybe 3 rolls of paper towels a year. I use them mainly for draining greasy food and very nasty messes. I had a cat that LOVED to shred any paper soI had to hide paper towels, tissue paper, and any other sheets of paper . He got me in the habit of putting away papers in their place and weaned me from paper towels .
Sometimes i think The US is pulling a huge joke on us. You can’t tell me that no one has normal rags? You’re Not actually using paper towles for all of that right?
While I appreciate a review of paper towel alternatives. Placing them in compost does not seem appealing especially if they were used to clean a mess that is not quite compost friendly such as a non-biodegradable liquid(s). ❤
If millions of people would switch to reusable habits, not just with paper towels, it would make a HUGE difference! Until then, I’ll keep doing it and spread the word and save a lot of trees!
@SeaTurtle515 exactly. On its own it doesnt do much, but collectively its a mindset shift away from a consumerist lifestyle, and that is an overall good thing. People need to stop being so pessimistic. Small changes can make a big difference. ❤
@@SeaTurtle515 Trees for paper products are farmed, just like tomatoes and other produce. If no one buys wood products, those trees won't be planted and grown.
For a long time, as the price of Chanel increased, I no longer thought I could afford it. I think I'll be happy that I have the kislux as my travel bag that I don't have to take care of. By the way, I'm sure no one will have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks for the comparison.
Amazing to see more messages spread about how some of our "common practices" don't really make sense anymore! Single use items promote overconsumption and just by rethinking our everyday "norms", we can do better for the planet ❤❤❤
Paper towels are also a product that goes back into the soil. Old trees do not give out the good oxygen that we need. They get old just humans and fall over. It is the youthful tree that is the best for our environment.
The impact of household habits re: recycling are nothing compared to industrial and commercial waste (and pollution). As long as industry and manufacturing are allowed to go almost unchecked, the impact of what we do in our homes will have such minimal impact as to be nearly imperceptible. We'll feel good about what we do thinking we're making a difference, but we're really not.
If millions of households switch to sustainable practices, we would be making a huge difference. If large corporate polluters we be required to do the same, all the better. Until then, I’ll keep doing it and spread the word.
Yes, industry should be curbed…industries like those that produce paper towels …hmm, how can we do that…oh, here’s an idea, let’s stop buying paper towels. All industry ultimately goes to serving a consumer demand. Consumers vote, with their dollars.
Measures are being taken to relief the planet. These are acts of love just as Jesus ask us to do. Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. He saves anyone believe in Him.
I just wipe my face with the bottom of my shirt after eating. It gets real messy after eating spaghetti or bbq, but who cares! My crazy neighbor uses his old wore out underwear to wipe his face off.
I started using handkerchiefs again. I realized I used way too many tissue paper when I have allergies. Now I only use tissue paper to keep in my pursue, etc., but I also have a handkerchief and wash them like when I was a kid.
Growing up my mother always used small rags. She would cut up old towels or t shirts into smaller usable sizes, would wash with regular towels. I raiesed five kids and hardly ever used paper towels, mostly will greasy or toxic stuff. Now, it takes me about 6 months or more to go through a role of paper towels. It’s a good habit to get in to.
Same here! I was raised to be resourceful and not be wasteful. Regardless of how the rest of the world works!
I'm 66 and growing up as a kid and even into my teens, mom used rags as well; let's not forget the sponge that came in a variety of material. Always kept them disinfected with a little bleach and water. We survived without paper towels.
Started using washable rags in 2020 and haven't looked back. I keep a roll of the dead tree stuff for certain really nasty things (oil for instance), but rags for most wipeups. A roll of paper lasts months now.
They're called cloth napkins, rags, and washcloths. I've been using them for years and a roll of paper towels lasts me nine months to a year.
Mainstays - 18 pk wash cloths from Wal-Mart for under $6.🙂
Paper towels can be composted, but it depends on how they were used - no oils, meats, cleaning products, etc.
Now do this with lithium and cobalt
Um, there’s a few problems with this advice. One, rags made from worn clothing are not always made of cotton - they often have an high percentage of oil-based fibers like polyester, and I find that these fibers do not absorb or clean up spills nearly as well as paper towels. In fact, a lot of the time all these polyester textiles do is “smear” the liquid around without really absorbing it. Microfiber clothes are supposed to be better at absorbing spills, but again, they don’t always absorb that well unless you take a lot of special care of them (I’ve seen the videos - washing them only in cold water, and only with other microfiber clothes, etc.). And if you don’t clean them in exactly the right way, they don’t clean very well and lose their mojo. And never mind the environmental consequences of all that microfiber washing down the drain line into the sewer system. Our current waste water reclamation plants are not set up to cleanse microfibers out of the water, and so it washes out into the oceans where it has negative consequences for fish, plants, other sea life, and the ecology of the oceans as a whole. But the reason I prefer paper towels is the health and hygiene factor. No one can completely cleanse the skin of microbes. Thus, when you wipe your “clean” wet hands on a cloth towel, you inevitably transfer dirt, soap, oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria to the towel. Ever wonder why your bathroom and kitchen hand towels look so dingy after a while? In spite of the super duper washing products you use in the laundry? Well, that’s why. And I really don’t think it’s very economical OR environmentally “friendly” to have single use cloth hand towels in the kitchen and bathroom. Having to do THAT much laundry every day/week is a real hassle, to say nothing of the water and electricity used and the detergent released into the water supply. And if your hand towels are NOT single use, well, then all that grime really starts to build up after two or three days (or weeks, depending on how often you’re motivated to change them), and they look and smell kind of funky. Ich. And it just makes my skin crawl after a while to think about wiping my fleshly washed “clean” hands on that (actually) dirty hand towel. So, I reach for the paper towels. They are single use, and the often made of recycled paper, and frankly, being made of 100% plant material (wood cellulose), they biodegrade pretty easily in the landfill or compost (I think community composters SHOULD allow paper towels in the composting bin). And I just FEEL better from an hygiene perspective using paper towels. But anyway, that’s just me. I do think that in general, most of your advice is valid.
I reused the same dish towels over & over until it's time to replace it
you monster
Being old school paper towel was never on our house .mom had cloth rags .with 5 kids at home boy we had the rags ..
I buy a 50pk of microfiber cloths every few years. I rarely even think about reaching for a paper towel now. It actually seems silly.
We eliminated paper towels 7 years ago in our home. We have a drawer full of a variety of rags and a basket under the sink for dirty rags to be washed. We use cloth napkins and have a small wicker hamper in the dining area that all of those go in. I wash them in separate loads. It’s worked great for our family of four and recommend it to all.
I have rags but I still use too many paper towels. So I need more rags. I did switch to dish rags, instead of sponges that stink. They wash just as well.
We also use old bath/hand towels cut into smaller cleaning rags.
If you buy new cleaning rags just don’t buy microfiber clothes!!!! They are promoted as great for cleaning but they leave microplastic in the water and have been found in our rivers and oceans and fish😢
I used 2 maybe 3 rolls of paper towels a year. I use them mainly for draining greasy food and very nasty messes. I had a cat that LOVED to shred any paper soI had to hide paper towels, tissue paper, and any other sheets of paper . He got me in the habit of putting away papers in their place and weaned me from paper towels .
Sometimes i think The US is pulling a huge joke on us. You can’t tell me that no one has normal rags? You’re Not actually using paper towles for all of that right?
While I appreciate a review of paper towel alternatives. Placing them in compost does not seem appealing especially if they were used to clean a mess that is not quite compost friendly such as a non-biodegradable liquid(s). ❤
Lol the paper towels aren’t going to make a dent… who’s gonna tell her?😅
If millions of people would switch to reusable habits, not just with paper towels, it would make a HUGE difference! Until then, I’ll keep doing it and spread the word and save a lot of trees!
@SeaTurtle515 exactly. On its own it doesnt do much, but collectively its a mindset shift away from a consumerist lifestyle, and that is an overall good thing. People need to stop being so pessimistic. Small changes can make a big difference. ❤
@@SeaTurtle515 Trees for paper products are farmed, just like tomatoes and other produce. If no one buys wood products, those trees won't be planted and grown.
What about if you have dogs...I mean I'm not picking up poop or pee with cloths. Or cleaning our toilets with cloths.🤢🤮
01:49
For a long time, as the price of Chanel increased, I no longer thought I could afford it. I think I'll be happy that I have the kislux as my travel bag that I don't have to take care of. By the way, I'm sure no one will have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks for the comparison.
Amazing to see more messages spread about how some of our "common practices" don't really make sense anymore! Single use items promote overconsumption and just by rethinking our everyday "norms", we can do better for the planet ❤❤❤
yep I have a stash of older dish clothes that are just used for cleaning.
So much cheaper and convenient to use washcloths and rags
Not a new idea, we’ve been using rags when I was growing up back home
Thank you
Paper towels are also a product that goes back into the soil. Old trees do not give out the good oxygen that we need. They get old just humans and fall over. It is the youthful tree that is the best for our environment.
If your adding the paper towels to your compost, it’s not waste.
They need to be made from HEMP, as a CARBON TRAP, then thrown in the garden.
Nope, gonna keep my paper towels.♥️
Atta-girl/boy! 😆
They’re called HAND TOWELS!!!
Alternatives are called dish towels and dish rags.
Look, another news story putting the onus on consumers. How helpful. 😐
Go through the co2 and all that with recycling
This is an age old problem. It’s like trying to stop drug use. The best way to manage this is to stop the production, not the user.
What a crock of crap! Why do you need paper towels? Drain the bacon, that’s it! A roll lasts months at my house.
I use old towels or microfiber towels all the time only
The impact of household habits re: recycling are nothing compared to industrial and commercial waste (and pollution). As long as industry and manufacturing are allowed to go almost unchecked, the impact of what we do in our homes will have such minimal impact as to be nearly imperceptible. We'll feel good about what we do thinking we're making a difference, but we're really not.
This report is/was useless drivel.😑
If millions of households switch to sustainable practices, we would be making a huge difference. If large corporate polluters we be required to do the same, all the better. Until then, I’ll keep doing it and spread the word.
Yes, industry should be curbed…industries like those that produce paper towels …hmm, how can we do that…oh, here’s an idea, let’s stop buying paper towels.
All industry ultimately goes to serving a consumer demand. Consumers vote, with their dollars.
Why dontn't they make reliable appliances and cell phones.
Measures are being taken to relief the planet. These are acts of love just as Jesus ask us to do. Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. He saves anyone believe in Him.
I use recycled paper towels and burn the used ones.
It's to difficult not to.
Shirtsleeves. For me!
We used small towels
I just wipe my face with the bottom of my shirt after eating. It gets real messy after eating spaghetti or bbq, but who cares! My crazy neighbor uses his old wore out underwear to wipe his face off.
What about tissue paper? When thousands of trees are cut to produce them.
I started using handkerchiefs again. I realized I used way too many tissue paper when I have allergies. Now I only use tissue paper to keep in my pursue, etc., but I also have a handkerchief and wash them like when I was a kid.
Wash cloth soap . you wash babies bottom... just food for thought.!!!
Those flushable... nope they clog the old sewer pipes!!!! Look at Londons sewer
I buy bamboo or recycled.
Cloth towels?😂
Gross.
Rags, what a new concept! 😂😂😂 Please dont tell me people are that dumb.
God I wish my wife would watch this video.