These 10 Paper Towel Alternatives Might be Your Next Kitchen Cleaning Staple

Made of biodegradable cellulose and organic cotton, these cloths can absorb 20 times their weight. They also promise no odor, so you won’t be pinching your nose each time you need to mop up a spill. One of our writers started using Swedish dishcloths in her kitchen and said she’d “never go back to paper towels.”

Bamboo is snowballing in popularity thanks to its sustainable properties. This chic and simple version is long-lasting and absorbent, so you won’t have to dirty 10 of them when you’re scouring the cooktop or wiping down the microwave.

Another bamboo option, these dishcloths aren’t just a viable option for a paper towel replacement, but they can be used to wash dishes and clean surfaces and can even be implemented into your skincare routine as a washcloth.

Biodegradability is an important trait to keep in mind when you’re sourcing everyday products for green living, and these paper towels make the cut. Once they’re fully soiled, stick them in your washing machine or dishwasher so you can use them again and again.

Composed of non-GMO certified bamboo and sugarcane, these tree-free towels make a strong case for standing in for the roll usually residing on your holder. They’re free of chemicals, plastics, inks, and dyes, and are 100 percent biodegradable.

For those who appreciate a good bargain first and foremost, you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck with this 80-pack of reusable cleaning cloths. These can do everything from dusting to scrubbing — just toss them in the washing machine when you’re done.

A rainbow of prints is a vibrant solution to any corner that makes you yawn. It helps doubly when the material is sustainable, like these reusable towels from Marley’s Monsters. They naturally cling together, making it easy to roll them up on your usual paper towel dispenser (without the snaps that many cloth paper towel alternatives have).

Small spills and dusty shelves have nothing on these multipurpose cloths. This set of them features rags with a scrubby corner to get all the gunk off your surfaces. A sparkling kitchen is in your near future.

Spun from organic cotton, these faux paper towels make cleaning so much easier thanks to their high absorbency. While they make for great wiper-uppers, they can double as napkins or dish towels, too.

Chic and useful? This sponge cloth can sop up spills as well as clean surfaces without leaving any streaky lines. Best of all, they’re 100 percent biodegradable and can be tossed in your compost bin when they’ve had enough use.