Paper Kitchen Towel Alternatives

Brambleberry

I have loads of ikea Krama baby washcloths, some I've had since about 2000, they wash well and I use them for everything, so they could be worth a try. Once they've been used a few times, they don't really shed any more lint or fibres than a paper towel might.

FrugalWeirdo83

Ah love this thread im trying to adopt a more eco friendly lifestyle but it's quite overwhelming

Anoneemoose

Brambleberry wrote: »

I have loads of ikea Krama baby washcloths, some I've had since about 2000, they wash well and I use them for everything, so they could be worth a try. Once they've been used a few times, they don't really shed any more lint or fibres than a paper towel might.

These look ideal, and cheap! Thank you. Only thing is, when I go to Ikea, for good priced stuff, I end up spending a fortune somehow!:rotfl:

Anoneemoose

FrugalWeirdo83 wrote: »

Ah love this thread im trying to adopt a more eco friendly lifestyle but it's quite overwhelming

I find it overwhelming too. I am just making small changes here and there, rather than all at once. I started using ecloths a couple of years ago (antibacterial with just water). I use those for wiping, cleaning, windows etc etc. I also use Method spray for big spills or deep cleaning in the kitchen and bathroom (usually once a week). As I don't use it very often, it lasts absolutely ages!

I started using biodegradable food bags as I use a lot with lunches and also caking.

Shampoo- I use a nasty free one, but I'm not sure it's eco friendly as such.

I actually use method handwash as a shower gel as it's cheaper than the one I used to buy.

Laundry stuff I have issues with because I haven't found one that cleans that well for muddy footy kits and tracksuit bottoms. I do like Method's green one though and it has a lovely fresh, long lasting but not overpowering, smell.

I am about to switch to reusable pant liiners (sorry men).

I appreciate I have a lot more to do in relation to this sort of thing but it's a start.

I would love to be able to buy organic, ethically farmed meat, but my budget doesn't stretch to that as yet.

rach_k

Anoneemoose wrote: »

Thank you for your reply!

Do you mean like these?

http://www.cheekywipes.com/cloth-baby-wipes/washable-premium-cotton-terry-cloth-washable-wipes.html

I was looking at those, do you know if they definitely don't shed?

Yes like those, although I don't have the premium ones, just the standard cotton terry and they're perfectly adequate - much thicker than paper kitchen roll! I wouldn't guarantee that they don't shed when new - I tend to have a hierarchy of cloths and they gradually get demoted, so the ones I have in my kitchen are quite old now! I can probably dig out some new ones later and check them for you. The bamboo ones definitely DO shed (but they're amazingly soft so great for hands and faces... and bums!).

Although I do like the Cheeky Wipes, I don't think you need to buy them in particular, they're just what we have because we used them for the kids. Pound shops often have cheap cotton cloths that would do just as well, or somebody else suggested muslin - you could use baby muslins bought in the supermarket or wherever. They are soft enough for polishing but give a bit of friction for cleaning. Old pairs of cotton PJs cut up with pinking shears work well too, or an old towel (you'd probably need to hem a towel though).

If you want to go fancy, you can get proper rolls of 'unpaper towels' on places like Etsy, which have plastic poppers so you stick them all together and roll them onto your kitchen roll dispenser. Some people swear by them but I dislike the poppers as you have to avoid scrubbing with them, they won't stand up to harsh washing/drying and I can't be bothered poppering things back together if they're only for cleaning.

The only time I'd say I miss kitchen roll is when somebody - usually the cat - manages something disgusting, but it's thankfully infrequent enough that there will be a very old holey tea-towel ready for the bin anyway so I just use that and throw it away if I can't face washing it. That wouldn't be a problem if you plan to still have some paper kitchen roll on hand anyway.

FrugalWeirdo83

Ooh biodegradable food bags, where did you get those? It sounds like you are onto a good start. I recently switched to a menstrual cup and it's been life changing ha. I'm also doing a self imposes clothing ban and it has really opened my eyes to how many needless purchases I used to make, it's quite liberating

Anoneemoose

FrugalWeirdo83 wrote: »

Ooh biodegradable food bags, where did you get those? It sounds like you are onto a good start. I recently switched to a menstrual cup and it's been life changing ha. I'm also doing a self imposes clothing ban and it has really opened my eyes to how many needless purchases I used to make, it's quite liberating

I've used a mooncup for years, but have some issues mean I need a liner as well on some days, so going to get some cheeky wipes ones on payday. I had thought about making them myself but I'm not getting my sewing machine until Christmas and I'm not that experienced yet.

These are the food bags I use...they degrade within 18 months to water and carbon dioxide. You can get different sizes.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F291691726627

I know they're more expensive, but I think it's worth it and if I buy 400 at a time, it's only a cost every now and then.

I struggle with clothes because I can't find anything decent to fit. I'm a size 20 but have a big tum, boobs and am long in the body so any top I buy is so short. I am going to look at either adjusting off the shelf clothes or getting some made. Sick of looking a wreck!

yellowbear

Have a look at Splosh for laundry products.

Anoneemoose

rach_k wrote: »

Yes like those, although I don't have the premium ones, just the standard cotton terry and they're perfectly adequate - much thicker than paper kitchen roll! I wouldn't guarantee that they don't shed when new - I tend to have a hierarchy of cloths and they gradually get demoted, so the ones I have in my kitchen are quite old now! I can probably dig out some new ones later and check them for you. The bamboo ones definitely DO shed (but they're amazingly soft so great for hands and faces... and bums!).

Although I do like the Cheeky Wipes, I don't think you need to buy them in particular, they're just what we have because we used them for the kids. Pound shops often have cheap cotton cloths that would do just as well, or somebody else suggested muslin - you could use baby muslins bought in the supermarket or wherever. They are soft enough for polishing but give a bit of friction for cleaning. Old pairs of cotton PJs cut up with pinking shears work well too, or an old towel (you'd probably need to hem a towel though).

If you want to go fancy, you can get proper rolls of 'unpaper towels' on places like Etsy, which have plastic poppers so you stick them all together and roll them onto your kitchen roll dispenser. Some people swear by them but I dislike the poppers as you have to avoid scrubbing with them, they won't stand up to harsh washing/drying and I can't be bothered poppering things back together if they're only for cleaning.

The only time I'd say I miss kitchen roll is when somebody - usually the cat - manages something disgusting, but it's thankfully infrequent enough that there will be a very old holey tea-towel ready for the bin anyway so I just use that and throw it away if I can't face washing it. That wouldn't be a problem if you plan to still have some paper kitchen roll on hand anyway.

This all sounds fab. I do actually have old tea towels in the utility which I use when our pool is out in the summer but I could repurpose them. I might try the Krama from Ikea as well.

One thing I have remembered is that once upon a time I used to use sponges in the kitchen and would actually use that for spills and wiping and then dry with a tea towel. Since I stopped using those, my kitchen towel usage has increased because I tend to avoid using the dishcloth for anything that stains (like tomato based stuff or gravy etc etc). Don't ask me why though!:rotfl:

Callie22

yellowbear wrote: »

Have a look at Splosh for laundry products.

I used those for a while and quite liked them, although I was never that sure if they were 'green' because of the ingredients or because of the minimal packaging. They worked well though, although I wasn't massively keen on the cotton-flower (I think) scent, but the lavender was ok. I stopped using them as I moved and got out of the habit (and Method/Ecover are permanently on offer somewhere) but they were ok.