12 Jan Dos and Don’ts of Using Paper Towels

Paper towels are highly consumed, and we waste many of them these days. Nowadays, paper towels are more common in kitchens than anywhere else. Ease of use, single-use and no need to wash are some of the things that have made these disposable napkins establish their place in our kitchen more than before. But using these types of paper towels is terrible for our environment and causes us problems in the long run. Also, by leaving lint on the objects, after cleaning with these wipes, we should use cloth napkins to remove the lint left behind. Sometimes, you can use sponges or reusable cloths instead of these tissues. In the following, we will introduce you to the dos and don’ts of using paper towels.

Features of paper towels

• The technology of making this type of towel is such that they have high absorbency. This feature allows paper towels to be easily used for cleaning hands and face, kitchen and wet surfaces.
• Paper towels can be found in various stylish packages in the market. These towels can be hung in different rolls in the kitchen, toilet, office, etc.
• These towels can be used for domestic or industrial purposes. These types of towels have different grades, each of which will determine the item’s quality. At its best, these napkins are made from wood. But many others are made from recycled pulp. Recycled pulp will help the environment more; it will cause fewer trees to be cut down.

Things you shouldn’t wipe with paper towels

Bathroom equipment

Don’t use tissues to clean the remaining deposits from the tub and shower; cloth towels are a better option. The best way to remove soap scum left in the bathroom is to mix vinegar with detergent. Then wipe with a clean cloth.

Cleaning hands while cooking

It may seem simple to remove tissue from the roll and use it to wipe greasy and sticky fingers, but don’t do it; the lint from the paper towel remains on your hands and can get into food ingredients. Use an apron while cooking; it keeps the paper napkins in place and prevents your clothes from getting dirty at this stage. After washing your hands, just put your hands on the apron and proceed to the next step of the cooking process.

Carpets and rugs

Sometimes soda or tea is accidentally spilt on the carpet, but you shouldn’t use a paper towel to wipe it off; wiping the stains with a paper towel will leave the paper on the rug and not obliterate the stain. Instead, use a clean, dry cloth to absorb the water. Let it dry, then vacuum. Another problem with using paper towels is that the lint goes deep into the carpet, and vacuuming will be difficult.

Dusting dishes

It isn’t a good idea to wipe the plates and glasses in the kitchen with paper towels; because they have been sitting in the cupboard unused for a while. The tiny particles of paper towels can stick to dishes and later enter the digestive system, so use a damp cloth to wipe the plate or glass.

Dust removal of electronic screens

Don’t use paper towels to clean the screen of your TV, laptop or even mobile phone. We also never recommend using paper towels on delicate glass surfaces such as LCD or plasma TV; because the lint can stay on the screen permanently. Using a product and microfiber cloth designed specifically for these surfaces is better. Don’t apply too much pressure when cleaning these screens, as this pressure may damage the crystals inside the LCD.

Cleaning windows and mirrors

Paper towels don’t have a good effect on cleaning windows and mirrors. So it’s better to use professional microfiber cloths instead of paper towels to clean windows and mirrors. Microfiber wipes clean well and is reusable. If you don’t have cloth napkins, newspapers or paper bags are good options because neither leaves lint behind.

Cleaning toilets

Paper towels aren’t effective in cleaning the toilet. You can use approved standard toilet cleaners and bleach for better results.

Cutting board

When cleaning stains such as broth from the cutting board, don’t use paper towels; it doesn’t completely absorb all the liquid, and the remaining lint on the cutting board will make it more difficult. It’s better to use a clean, damp cloth with disinfectant to remove the residue.

Wiping glasses

Paper towels cause scratches on the glasses and cause lint. We suggest using microfiber cloths to clean all kinds of sunglasses and medical glasses.

Things you can wipe with paper towels

Paper towels are the best choice for cleaning, and drying washed items because they are disposable. However, many people try to use old cloth due to the lack of choosing the proper napkin or the high cost of continuous use of paper towels. It should be kept in mind that these old clothes can cause contamination.

Cleaning and drying objects

If you choose suitable paper towels for cleaning, in the long run, you can save money on cloth, washing, detergents, and even treating diseases.

Maintenance of pans

Metal pans have a high price and therefore require much maintenance and care. For better maintenance of metal pans, it’s better to clean and dry them with a paper towel after washing. In addition, if you stack pans in the kitchen, it’s necessary to cover them with paper towels. This method makes the pans last longer and gets damaged later.

Use as fertiliser

Paper towels contain large amounts of carbon, which makes them a suitable substitute for the brown layer of the compost management system. You can use paper towels in the compost after you use them and balance the carbon retention of your compost. The natural fluff of the paper towel becomes an encouraging factor in creating air pockets or pockets in the compost, which will be effective in aerating it. In this way, it causes the growth of beneficial microorganisms, which is very useful for the health and quality of the compost and the green space.

Absorbs dirt and oil

One of the uses of paper towels is that they can quickly enter inaccessible and blind spaces and clean them from dirt and grime. For example, bypassing several layers of paper towels under the working sewing machine can clean the grease and excess lubricating oils on the needle, which will help the sewing machine work better.

Keeping vegetables fresh

Lettuce, vegetables, beetroot leaves and other edible plants get shrivelled and withered in the freezer and refrigerator. Using a layer of paper towels on vegetables or wrapping them in paper towels will help preserve the moisture in the plants, prevent them from spoiling early, and make them stay fresher.

Seed viability test

One of the critical and challenging questions of farmers and gardeners in the planting season is how old the seeds are in front of them or whether they will grow on time. The answer to this question can be given with a simple but time-consuming experiment. In this way, plant them in pots and observe the results. Of course, if you’re looking for a faster answer, you can use tissues. In this way, wrap the seeds in a paper towel (in the form of a sandwich) and place them in a warm place. If your seeds don’t germinate within two weeks, your roots probably lack proper viability.

keeping bread

Usually, the bread in the freezer becomes dry or stale after being reheated. To solve this problem, they typically sprinkle some water on the bread. It’s better to do something to keep the bread’s moisture in the freezer. One of the best solutions to keep the bread moist in the freezer is to use paper towels.

Soften brown sugar

Brown sugar grains have inherent moisture that can stick to each other or the walls of the container. They can become a solid, rugged and unusable objects if not used frequently. For storing brown sugar in the kitchen, you can crumble it in a container and then cover it with wet paper towels.

Instant coffee filter

Typically, most electric coffee makers use paper filters to brew coffee. Of course, considering the time constraints in the morning and the beginning of the day, the speed of coffee preparation is critical. One of the ways to prepare instant coffee is to use a tissue as a filter.

Instant cleaner of some chemicals

Paper towels are a sound absorbent for some ointments, waxes, and fats. To clean all types of metal, wooden, plastic, and even carpet surfaces, gently stretch tissues on the covers and remove chemicals.

Cleaning chemicals

tissues can be a suitable alternative to erasers to wipe the blackboard; the dust absorbed and accumulated on the eraser can cause severe breathing problems.

To wrap up

Using paper towels is very convenient and hassle-free; because they are disposable. But due to their high cost and some negative points, it’s better to use alternatives. If you don’t have the opportunity or patience to wash your clothes, you can count on the specialised NeatEx team. With the most advanced tools and the latest knowledge, we will deliver your clothes of the best quality as soon as possible. Don’t damage your valuable clothes with improper washing. NeatEx washes your clothes best and ensures you have clean and tidy clothes.