Recently, I made the decision to stop using so many paper towels. In the kitchen, I have small (washcloth size) dish towels that I am using for almost everything that I used to use paper towels for. I really used to use a ridiculous amount of paper towels! Feels good - saving the planet and saving money at the same time.

But, I don't know what to do in the bathrooms for cleaning the mirrors. I'm still using paper towels for that. Is there something else that can be used instead of wasting paper towels? Do those microfiber cloths work for that with glass cleaner?

I do still use paper towels in the bathrooms for cleaning mirrors, but you can go a long way with 1 or two paper towels. I clean mirrors weekly and when I do I do bathroom mirrors and all tv screens (using the same towels). I have used microfiber cloths and they work fine too. For some reason I probably prefer the paper towels though.

tina

I also use vinegar and water in a spray bottle for most surfaces around
the house, but I sanitize the kitchen and bathroom with a mix of bleach and water in a spray bottle after they are washed. For windows, the same vinegar and water and a squeegee, with a washcloth along the sills.

I even use vin/water on my gorgeous, 10 year old wood floors in the kitchen and dining room, with a microfiber cloth. They gleam!

And we have gone to cotton napkins, too, now that it is just the two of us. I keep paper towels for cleaning up raw meat messes, and that is just about it...maybe one or two rolls a year now. And I cook a lot!

Don't the cheap washcloths leave lint on the mirror? That would drive me nuts.

Maybe I'll get some microfiber cloths (or search my house, I probably have some) and try it and see if it leaves streaks or lint.

Wow, sherrmann, 2 rolls a year? Maybe I can get there too. Boy, that would make my DH so happy.

I've been thinking of going to cloth napkins. We use them at Thanksgiving because it's so much nicer than paper. But, not sure I can do it everyday, all day. That would sure generate a lot more laundry for me. Have to think about that...

I've also done something similar to you to cut down on the use of paper towels. Both Sam's Club and Costco carry the large packages (50 or so count) of white bar towels in their auto departments. I like the ones from Sam's Club best because they are softer and a better weight.

Then to store them, I got three of these in white from Ikea for our pantry. Now I use one bin for the clean towels and the one under acts as a hamper for the dirty ones.

ML

Our kids are all grown and gone now, so it is a lot easier than it used to
be. Hub will use his napkin for two days or more and it still looks fresh. Mine is a mess after lunch!

I dislike housework and let it go as long as I can get away with. My house is not a spotless house, but it is neat enough and clean enough. It is very comfortable.

I applaud all efforts to limit the use of chemical cleaners and paper waste.

Best cleaning find: $9 at Walmart mop with a removable and washable cloth head and a refillable tank. A little lysol and water and you are good to go!

Found a couple microfiber cloths in my laundry room cabinet and tried them on the mirrors. They work great! Yay! Will have to get 1 more for the powder room. Works great on the counters also. Easier than the sponge I was using too. I will use a sponge on the toilets. I also don't like the idea of the cloth on the toilet.

geogirl - I also have a spray mop that I love. Got it several years ago (on line somewhere, not a Walmart fan but that's another story). It replaced the spray swiffer which I liked but hated that I couldn't refill the cleaning solution and that it used throw away pads. All I could see was landfills full of plastic cleaning containers and pads from swiffers.

So, I've removed 100% of paper towel usage in bathrooms, and almost all from kitchen. I'm waiting to see if/when my DH notices this. He does almost all the food shopping. A new very large (24 pack?) of paper towels was bought just before I started this. It should last until youngest DS (11) goes to college! Question is will DH notice? :-)

Thanks everyone! Always love to hear cleaning tips, so keep any ideas coming!

As far as cleaning, I seldom use paper towels and only use paper napkins in the powder room when we have guests as I dislike having everyone use the same towel and don't want to wash 20+ individual guests towels. I do use the seemingly non-yucky discarded napkins to pick up pooch's waste as I hate plastic so minimize its use.

When I buy paper towels, which I use minimally like some here so one roll will last months, I always buy recycled. Same with TP: only recycled paper which now has almost as fine a feel as regular processed TP. I also use a couple of pieces of TP and rubbing alcohol to clean the toilet seat regularly as well as the flush mechanism and light switches.

Anyone have an environmentally friendly DWer liquid which doesn't leave a film on glassware and cutlery? I usually handwash when it's just the two of us, but I get frustrated with filmy glasses in the DWer when I use it.

And, my DH even noticed.

Saving the earth, saving $$. Yay!

It is one of those companies that sells thru hostesses and it might only be available here in Canada. If they were cheaper, it is one of those products I would buy in bulk to give away to all my friends and family. Unfortunately, I think they cost something like $15 a piece.

If you're happy with the regular microfibre, just remember to wash it alone. If you wash them with other things then they leave lint when you use them on mirrors or glass.