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Hi, I'm Rose! I'm 20, recently moved out for university, and currently working as a summer intern at Nellie's.
One thing I definitely underestimated was how quickly I'd go through paper towels.
It felt like I was constantly adding another roll to my grocery list. I'd use one to wipe the kitchen counter after making breakfast, another to clean up coffee droplets, another to dry the sink, and somehow an entire roll would disappear before I even realized it. It wasn't until I started paying more attention to my cleaning routine that I realized most of those everyday messes didn't actually need a disposable paper towel.
Why We Go Through So Many Paper Towels
Paper towels are convenient, so it's easy to reach for one without thinking twice. A few sheets here and there don't seem like much, but throughout the day they really add up.
Some of the most common things I used paper towels for were:
- Wiping down kitchen counters
- Cleaning up small spills
- Drying the sink after doing dishes
- Wiping crumbs off the table
- Cleaning fingerprints off appliances
- Drying fruits and vegetables after washing
- Giving the stovetop a quick wipe
When You Actually Need Paper Towels
Paper towels definitely have their place in the kitchen. I still reach for them when I'm patting raw meat, greasy messes, or anything I'd rather throw away immediately. But for everyday cleaning around the kitchen, I've realized I don't need to use them nearly as often as I used to.
My New Favourite Paper Towel Replacement
One product I've started reaching for instead is Nellie's Swedish Dishcloths. I hadn't used one before moving out, but now I understand why people love them.
They're made from cotton and cellulose, making them incredibly absorbent. In fact, they can absorb up to 15 times their weight in water, so they're perfect for wiping up spills. Unlike paper towels, you simply rinse them out, let them dry, and they're ready to use again.
Uses Beyond The Kitchen
What surprised me most was how many different ways I ended up using it, including outside the kitchen.
Besides wiping down my kitchen counters, I also use it for:
- Cleaning the dining table
- Wiping down my microwave
- Drying the sink after dishes
- Wiping down my coffee station
- Cleaning bathroom counters
- Dusting shelves
Easy to Keep Clean
So, how do you keep my Swedish Dishcloths clean?
You can wash it in the washing machine, place it on the top rack of the dishwasher, or even sanitize it by boiling it or microwaving it for a few minutes. Then simply let it air dry (don’t put it in the dryer!) and it's ready to use again.
I love that I don't have to throw it away after one use. It also makes me feel like I am doing my personal part in creating less waste for the planet.
Overall – Instead of buying more paper towels, I've found myself reaching for the same Swedish Dishcloth over and over throughout the week.
It doesn't take up much space, dries quickly, and handles most of the little cleaning jobs that pop up throughout the day.
When you're balancing classes, work, and everything else, it's nice having one simple product that makes cleaning feel just a little easier. I've found that saving paper towels for bigger messes and using Nellie's Swedish Dishcloths for everyday cleaning has made my kitchen routine simpler, cut down on waste, and helped me stretch each roll of paper towels much further.