There is no household or company that doesn’t use paper towels. They offer superior performance with easy dispensing and extra absorbency. But almost all paper towels look the same on the shelves, they still differ from each other in their levels of absorbency and the materials they’re made from. Most models are made from pulp which is made by separating the fibres in timer, fibre crops and waste paper. There are also environmentally-friendly options such as bleach-free, recycled and certified towels.

The most common paper towel roll type is the one that includes virgin – these options don’t include any recycled/alternative fibres. Recycled ones are made from a blend of reused materials and are less harmful to the environment. However, their pre-processed pulp is a bit weaker compared to the one in the other types so they may not be as absorbing as the other options. You can also find chlorine-free paper towels. On the other hand, PCF products or processed chlorine-free towels are treated with beach alternatives like oxygen or hydrogen peroxide.

When looking to buy paper towels, there are some key features to consider. Although they are not the most expensive household product, you still want to buy towels that will serve their purpose well. So, take a look at the ply count. The higher the ply count, the more layers the paper will have thus the more absorbent, stronger, thicker and softer it will be.

Scrubbing strength is also important. Read reviews for different brands to find out more about their products. You don’t want the paper to break or leave lint all over your house. Absorbency is very important. There usually is a tradeoff between absorbency and strength of the paper towel roll. Another factor to consider is size. You can find these towels in different sizes so which one you buy will depend on your needs.

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Uses in the Home

Although we regularly use them for wiping and cleaning, you can also use these goodies in other different ways.

• Clean silk from fresh corn – If you hate picking the silk off from an ear of fresh corn, you will love this trick and your paper towel even more. All you need to do is dampen one and run it across the ear. The towel will pick up all the silk from the corn, leaving it ready to just put it in the boiling pot or the grill.
• Strain grease from broth – Another great usage of these useful items is absorbing the fat that surfaces on soups and broths. How? Place another pot in the sink and put a sieve or a colander in the new pot. Then, put the paper in the colander and pour the broth through the towel into the waiting pot. The fat will stay in the towel while the cleaner broth will stream through.
• Keep products fresh longer – How many times you’ve been in a situation where you’ve opened up the vegetable bin and found last week’s mouldy carrots mixed with the yellow lettuce? Luckily, there is a way for your products to last long enough – just line your vegetables with a paper towel. The towels will absorb the moisture that causes the vegetables and fruits to rot. Also, your bin will be easier to clean.
• Clean a can opener – The can opener can collect a lot of gunk with time. Keeping this tool clean is essential if you don’t want to transmit the gunk on your food. Paper towels are perfect for a cleaning a can opener. Close the wheel on the edge of the paper towel, close the needles and turn the crank. The towel will clean all the gunk as the wheel cuts thought it.
• Keep frozen bread from getting soggy – You have extra bread? No big deal, you can always freeze it. But, how to ensure it will taste good when you unfroze it? Place a paper towel in the bag of the bread before you put it in the fridge. When you take it out and you are ready to eat it, the paper towel will absorb all the moisture as the bread starts to thaw.
• Messy-free bacon cooking – Cooking bacon can be really messy, but fortunately, your kitchen towels are here to help. Layer two towels on the bottom of your microwave and put slices of bacon on them. Next, cover the bacon with another two paper towels and run the microwave on a high temperature at one-minute intervals. Meanwhile, check for crispness. Usually, it takes 3-4 minutes for the bacon to cook. Easy, crispy and clean.
• Keep cast-iron pots rust-free – You love your prized collection of cast-iron pots and you are trying to keep them in good condition for as long as possible. Here is an easy trick for you. After you’ve cleaned them, place a paper towel on each pot. The towel will absorb any moisture there is and will keep them safe from rusting. You can also store the lids separately from the pots and line them with paper towels.