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KeithUrbanLovinPea
PeaFixture
PeaNut 29,932
February 2002
Posts: 3,119
Layouts: 0
Loc: Houston, Texas
 |  Posted: 1/29/2013 12:14:28 PM
I go through a zillion paper towels, mostly to wipe up my hands and the counters as I cook/bake. I'd love to find an alternative. I don't mind spending money on good towels, but I have two requirements. One is that it has to be absorbent. I hate buying something and then finding out the absorbency sucks (I have some bar mop towels that don't absorb worth shiz). The other is no micro fiber. I don't like the way my dry hands catch on the fiber loops.
Peas have any links to something they like? |
Lisa in Texas/KULP
Mommy to two beautiful girls and Urban Crazy since 2004!
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terri k
PeaAddict
PeaNut 411,419
February 2009
Posts: 1,799
Layouts: 1
Loc:
 | Posted: 1/29/2013 12:22:27 PM
I haven't tried them yet, but I have seen Bamboo paper towels in some health food stores. The packaging claims they are very absorbent and last a long time. I plan to try them some day.
Check out www.bambooee.com
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rosiekat
PeaFixture
PeaNut 216,153
July 2005
Posts: 3,826
Layouts: 27
Loc: Texas
 | Posted: 1/29/2013 12:26:09 PM
Walgreens sells some bamboo toilet paper (just referencing the bamboo paper towels, not saying you want to use tp!). I've used it. It's an odd texture - feels kind of "hard" like normal paper to my hands, but it feels fine down under, and absorbs fine. It is kind of thin, but that doesn't seem to impact its strength or absorbency.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming, lol. |
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not2peased
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 260,865
May 2006
Posts: 12,937
Layouts: 0
Loc: Northeast
| Posted: 1/29/2013 12:32:07 PM
I've seen homemade cloths that snap together and go on a paper towel roll that looked really awesome. you just wash and put them back. looked just like a roll of paper towels and when you want a new one you just grab and pull it off the roll just like a paper towel
I buy cheap washcloths and use those to wipe things up then wash and re-use |
-Kerry
Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others.
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Shih Tzu Mommy
Million dollar camera, 10 dollar lock!
PeaNut 224,352
September 2005
Posts: 23,527
Layouts: 0
Loc: Right here
| Posted: 1/29/2013 12:33:53 PM
Cloth diapers. Seriously!
They are not terribly absorbent or feel thick the first few times, but after that, they are SUPER absorbent and thicken!!
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Dog people are a special breed! | |
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dynalady
My soul is fed with needle and thread
PeaNut 25,620
December 2001
Posts: 20,161
Layouts: 49
Loc: Sweet Home Chicago
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schizo319
...And now it's time for a breakdown
PeaNut 96,097
July 2003
Posts: 9,999
Layouts: 78
Loc: North Alabama
 | Posted: 1/29/2013 12:42:04 PM
IF you can find them, 50% cotton 50% Linen are hands down THE best kitchen towels on earth. SUPER absorbent, light weight, etc. I've seen them at IKEA (and have been kicking myself for not buying more when I found them).
ETA: I see you are in Houson, so y'all have an IKEA (our closest one is 200 miles away) - these are the towels I have: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90182128/ |
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Luv*to*scrap
PeaAddict
PeaNut 267,146
July 2006
Posts: 1,328
Layouts: 11
Loc: NC
 | Posted: 1/29/2013 12:42:46 PM
These are some of the cute reusable ones on Etsy. towels | |
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Rhondito
MississiPEA
PeaNut 40,147
June 2002
Posts: 23,651
Layouts: 2
Loc: Flowood, Mississippi
| Posted: 1/29/2013 1:02:24 PM
Another vote for the flour sack towels 
I got mine at Williams-Sonoma but I'm sure lots of places carry them.
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Rhonda
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MikeWozowski
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 174,400
October 2004
Posts: 7,492
Layouts: 20
 | Posted: 1/29/2013 1:06:22 PM
i would just get 12 packs of white or colored washcloths. | |
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pennyring
Thrift Ninja
PeaNut 226,011
October 2005
Posts: 22,492
Layouts: 40
Loc: Rite Aid
| Posted: 1/29/2013 2:05:12 PM
I hardly ever use paper towels because my mom never did. I make (or buy on etsy) handmade washrags. I just use those.
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BuckeyeSandy
Old Dogs are Best!
PeaNut 92,987
June 2003
Posts: 22,467
Layouts: 364
Loc: With my dogs
| Posted: 1/29/2013 2:06:34 PM
The terry cloth shop towels from COSTCO, you find them with the shop and automotive stuff. Big plastic wrapped pile of cotton washcloths.
I like to wash them first, then use from wiping surfaces, cleaning spills, drying dog paws and wiping baby bottoms. We use them to dust, clean.
You wash in hot water, rinse with some bleach (sanitize) dry and reuse.
I draw the line on some oil based stuff, and feel no guilt tossing out.
One package lasts over a year with us.
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Sandy
Every MOM is a working mom!
"Retired" after 22 years of an Air Force Career
REMEMBER this Veterans Day
To quote Wayne Gretzky, "You miss 100% of the shots you never take."
Aesculus | |
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flanz
AncestralPea
PeaNut 211,902
June 2005
Posts: 4,686
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 1/29/2013 2:48:15 PM
I try to use paper towels as rarely as possible. I think I'm going to try the Costco ones Sandy mentioned. Thanks! | |
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sunny 5
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 472,024
June 2010
Posts: 2,176
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 1/29/2013 2:59:55 PM
split the job..linen towels or cotton --flour sack--for hands
microfiber ones for counter and cleanup...wash after one day...so have a stack.
throw out all sponges (just hold germs...microwave won't kill all germs).
let dishes air dry if at all possible...towels will add germs.
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lblair
PeaNut
PeaNut 555,199
May 2012
Posts: 84
Layouts: 0
Loc: Michigan
 | Posted: 1/29/2013 3:59:51 PM
I agree with the package of bar towels from Costco. We use them for everything from hot pads to cleaning rags. They are easy to clean/bleach and I have no problem tossing them when they get too bad. We have them everywhere, cars, camper, craft room etc. | |
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TheOtherMeg
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 463,585
April 2010
Posts: 2,082
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/29/2013 4:10:07 PM
I buy cheap washcloths and use those to wipe things up then wash and re-use
This is what I've used for the past 30 years. Baby washcloths are the size/texture/thickness I like. I keep a small plastic bucket of them under the sink and use about 4-6 a day. I wash them with bleach or OxyClean in very hot water with the white socks.
I do have paper papertowels in the kitchen and use them for some things, but we only go through about 2-3 rolls a year. |
You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists. ~Abbie Hoffman
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papersilly
Don't let the dreamkillers get me
PeaNut 109,681
October 2003
Posts: 6,296
Layouts: 112
Loc: so. california
| Posted: 1/29/2013 4:25:10 PM
Another vote for 100% cotton dish towels. That's all we used growing up and I've kept on using them. I like flat weave and not bath towel weave. The towel texture is too thick and never dry. That's just an ongoing wet environment for bacteria. It getting harder to find that flour sack kind. |
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katiepotatie
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 183,099
January 2005
Posts: 6,669
Layouts: 10
Loc: Willamette Valley
| Posted: 1/29/2013 4:29:00 PM
A little over a year ago I made these to put a halt to my over-usage of paper towels:
I made plain white ones for "paper towels" and another set with a pattern for napkins. They're all the size of a Bounty Select-a-size towel. I LOVE using them! I got the idea from the ones sold on Etsy. I liked the idea, but knew I'd need WAY more than a dozen or so. I think I have about 40 of the white ones and plan to make more so I don't run out as quickly. I use about 10/day, sometimes more!
Here's my blog post about making them, if it interests you:
UN-PAPER TOWELS |
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hop2
AncestralPea
PeaNut 43,893
July 2002
Posts: 4,431
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 1/29/2013 5:28:38 PM
Washable bamboo kitchen towels by 3m
I love mine, they absorb so much. Wash well and last ( I have had my oldest ones for over 2 years now )
I have these ones
But I think the newer ones are just a lighter color and new packaging | |
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h*pea*ing
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 231,164
November 2005
Posts: 5,129
Layouts: 8
Loc: Midwest
| Posted: 1/29/2013 6:08:38 PM
It takes me a long time to go through a roll of paper towels. I use the flour sack dish towels and regular dish wash rags and haven't had any issues with those. Paper towels are mainly for something super gross like when the bacon grease spilled all over or the cat barfs. |
~heather~
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KeithUrbanLovinPea
PeaFixture
PeaNut 29,932
February 2002
Posts: 3,119
Layouts: 0
Loc: Houston, Texas
| Posted: 1/29/2013 7:32:47 PM
Thanks everyone! Lots of great ideas I need to research. |
Lisa in Texas/KULP
Mommy to two beautiful girls and Urban Crazy since 2004!
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CroppingKate
Peas-okay; Queues-not so much
PeaNut 56,451
November 2002
Posts: 6,181
Layouts: 4
Loc: Happy in California
| Posted: 1/29/2013 8:53:06 PM
Bar mop towels and/or cloths for cleaning counters only
Flour sack type towels for the rare occasion of drying dishes only
Other Costco towels for hands only
Paper towels for other or gross cleanups
Old teeshirts for cleaning windows, dusting wood tables.
Ooh, if I saw bamboo cloth things, I would probably get some. We have some bamboo sheets for the guest room and am always surprised when people comment on how soft they are (not telling ahead of time what the sheets are made of). |
Kate
*You can never have too many scrapbook supplies, kitchen tools or computer stuff...At least until you move*
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chocluver
PeaNut
PeaNut 548,462
March 2012
Posts: 323
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/29/2013 8:59:47 PM
Luv*to*scrap - I love what you showed us on Etsy. I made the switch from paper napkins to cloth ones about a year ago. I LOVE IT! I love not having to fill the darn napkin holder. And its only my husband and myself. I love love love the idea of being able to wrap the fabric towels around a paper towel holder. Even if I don't think about the ecological advantage to using reusable towels, I still LOVE the idea. Thank you!!!!!!!!! | |
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Gsquaredmom
PeaNut 259,367
April 2006
Posts: 7,987
Layouts: 0
Loc: Midwest
| Posted: 1/29/2013 9:11:49 PM
My MIL uses old cotton underwear. You have to get past the thought, but you get used to it and then feel like it makes so much sense. |
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Loydene
PeaFixture
PeaNut 997
July 1999
Posts: 3,902
Layouts: 7
Loc: Kansas City, MO
 | Posted: 1/29/2013 9:16:32 PM
.towels will add germs.
which is why I have no problem with paper towels! I buy them by the bale at a club discount house. | |
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*Delphinium Twinkle*
I'm just a pea:)
PeaNut 163,613
August 2004
Posts: 69,020
Layouts: 236
Loc: *Sunny Southern California*
| Posted: 1/29/2013 9:41:19 PM
I buy the white shop towels in the automotive aisle at Costco. I think I get 40 for around $15. I have 80 I keep under my kitchen counter.
I use several everyday.
They are bleached once a week in one big load.
We don't buy paper towels and haven't in years.
The only time I regret not having any is when I make bacon and wish I had paper towels to drain on.
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rncantsleep
PeaNut
PeaNut 219,350
August 2005
Posts: 38
Layouts: 0
Loc: Phoenix
| Posted: 1/30/2013 8:47:04 AM
We started using cloth napkins and keep them rolled up in a basket on the table. We have tons of colors and rotate them depending on the season/holidays.
When people first come over, they don't want to 'mess them up', but then they end up liking them. The stains come out easily if you get 100% cotton. You could actually cut them in half or quarters and sew up the sides and they would work great as paper towels.
When our dd was a baby, we used SAHM-made cloth wipes and they were the BEST! I think we bought a hundred or so. When she was out of diapers, we used them for everything (esp. dusting) and they lasted for years. They were flannel on one side and towel material on the other. Super absorbent. | |
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Velouria
Pixie Pea
PeaNut 41,800
July 2002
Posts: 12,739
Layouts: 641
Loc: Arizona
| Posted: 1/30/2013 8:56:56 AM
Ugh! I hate microfiber cloth for the same reason. I hate that feeling when they stick to my fingers.
I love the floursack cloths. I use them all the time. |
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Quinlove
BucketHead
PeaNut 30,457
February 2002
Posts: 855
Layouts: 2
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 1/30/2013 9:59:06 AM
<---- Paper towel freak... mainly because I have a small kitchen, so not much room to store cloth anything. I would love to have a place to hang pretty/useful cloths. There is only me, therefore I do not have to do laundry very often, so used cloth rags would add up... plus, I buy thick pt and reuse them until no more...
When I go to visit my son out of state - he says, don't worry...we have stocked up on paper towels ! Yup, I am officially an old lady. |
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fishwitch
PeaNut
PeaNut 577,311
January 2013
Posts: 178
Layouts: 0
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 1/30/2013 10:15:06 AM
I keep a steady supply of small bar towels. they're only $4 or $5 for a good sized pack of them at Target. I have a hanging basket in my laundry room where the dirty ones get tossed in it, when it gets full (or stinks  ) I run a load of towels. they're all white so I bleach them and they come out white again. |
| ~~Melani....once upon a time I was Sailorslady, now I'm just the fish | |
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aliaslaceygreen
BucketHead
PeaNut 38,256
May 2002
Posts: 648
Layouts: 8
Loc: Central Va
| Posted: 1/30/2013 11:22:08 AM
I have a basket with the left overs of cut up tee shirts from making a memory quilt. The fabric is soft, lint free and doesn't fray....I wash with vinegar instead of fabric softener so they absorb great...and you can hit up Goodwill for a few old shirts in colors that suit if necessary...A case of paper towels usually lasts a year here because I use these for everything... |
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Rhondito
MississiPEA
PeaNut 40,147
June 2002
Posts: 23,651
Layouts: 2
Loc: Flowood, Mississippi
| Posted: 1/30/2013 11:40:27 AM
My MIL uses old cotton underwear. You have to get past the thought, but you get used to it and then feel like it makes so much sense
I don't see any way this can make sense. I can't imagine someone coming to my home and seeing me using underwear to clean my kitchen.  |
Rhonda
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jjjulee
BucketHead
PeaNut 522,402
October 2011
Posts: 707
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/30/2013 12:13:00 PM
It takes us about two years to go through a roll of paper towels, we use them that infrequently. We have a good collection of normal dish towels, microfiber towels for larger spills (I sewed some pretty fabric on one side of some of my microfiber, because I also don't like the feel of the microfiber), flour sacks, cloth diapers, and some cotton knit/crochet dishtowels. We also use cloth napkins, so all of it just goes in the wash with our bath towels weekly. | |
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phdscrap
PeaAddict
PeaNut 406,102
January 2009
Posts: 1,302
Layouts: 1
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 1/30/2013 1:04:23 PM
I use the towels sold in the automobile section at Target. (I prefer the non-microfiber ones though they have both). I use them for everything and throw them in the wash (with bleach when necessary). You can also buy a bigger package of them at SAMS. |
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GiaRenee
BucketHead
PeaNut 508,737
May 2011
Posts: 761
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 1:50:53 PM
The things you learn on 2peas!! I was wondering the same thing, so glad the OP asked!
I think a trip to Costco is in order! thanks! | |
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tlsmi
PeaAddict
PeaNut 329,106
July 2007
Posts: 1,276
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 1/30/2013 2:13:20 PM
Great ideas.
I use an obscene amount of paper towels.
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"The difference between ignorance and apathy?
I don't know, and I couldn't care less..."
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likescarrots
PeaNut
PeaNut 563,786
August 2012
Posts: 311
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/30/2013 2:28:26 PM
I just use wash clothes. I bought some oversized ones at walmart, and keep a drawer full. I use them mostly for my hands, I use a sponge dedicated to countertops/stove to clean up any messes there. | |
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