When we have to deal with a spill or some dust, the easiest solution is using a paper towel. As useful as they are, paper towels are not fit for any surface, and in some cases, using them can result in damage. And like any other paper product, paper towels are not great for the environment, so it’s best to limit our use of them when possible.
To protect your items and avoid waste, we rounded up 7 items that you should clean with a reusable cloth or other cleaning tools, and NOT a paper towel.
The next time you need to clean your bathroom mirror or wash your windows, experts recommend that you reach for a microfiber cloth rather than a paper towel. Since paper towels are made of tiny paper fibers, they can leave lint and fuzz all over the clean windows. If you don't have a microfiber cloth, you can use a newspaper or even a paper bag.
Accidentally spilled some tea on the rug or sofa? Don’t reach for a paper towel. Scrubbing stains on carpeting and upholstery will leave paper residue on the fabric. On top of it, scrubbing will make the lint go deep into the fibers, and it will be difficult to vacuum it out afterward.
Instead, use a clean dry cloth or a sponge to soak up the stain, let the area dry, and then vacuum. This approach is gentler and will keep your rug and sofa in good condition in the long haul.
Related: 9 Best Ways to Remove Carpet Stains
When it comes to electronic screens, paper towels can be a little too abrasive. Hence, using them to clean delicate glass surfaces like TV screens, laptops, and even your cell phone is not a good idea. The harsh fibers could cause permanent scratches on the screens of your devices.
There are microfiber cloths specifically designed for these surfaces, but a regular cloth will work just as efficiently. Remember not to apply too much pressure when cleaning these screens, too.
Rinsing your produce has always been an important part of one's post-grocery shopping tasks, and it is even more common now, ever since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. But a paper towel isn’t the best way to dry these foods, as it can scratch or bruise your fresh fruits and vegetables.
So, what can you do instead? When it comes to small products, such as grapes or blueberries, for example, lay them out on an absorbent towel or a drying mat after washing. You can also use an absorbent towel to hand-dry larger produce items like tomatoes or cauliflower.
Any surface that might have soap stains like your sink, shower, or bathtub cannot be cleaned with paper towels. According to cleaning experts, the best way to remove soap scum or residue is to use a mixture of equal parts vinegar and dish soap to cut through the grime. After allowing it to sit for 15 minutes, wipe dry with a clean reusable cloth.
Related: 17 Common Cleaning Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Bathroom
If you’d like to add a bit of shine to your silver - whether it’s formal silverware, home decor, or jewelry - you’d be better off using a tool made specifically for the job, or a soft piece of linen cloth. Paper towels are too coarse and might scratch your precious silverware.
Alternatively, you can dry silver using a hairdryer kept at a distance of at least 15cm (6 inches).
If you try to remove dust using a paper towel, all you will achieve is moving the dust from one spot to another. To get rid of dust efficiently, use a soft brush vacuum attachment and an electrostatic mop to clean the floors, and then dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe down the surface.
Share these useful tips with others!
5 Ways You Might Be Attracting Termites to Your Home
A termite infestation is unpleasant, to say the least. Here are 5 ways you could be attracting these destructive bugs into your home.
5 Surprising Household Items That Are Great Stain Removers
Not every stain requires a special product. Here are 5 common household items that are unexpectedly effective at removing stains.
6 Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Barbecue
A few common mistakes to avoid if you want to get that perfect flavorful home barbecue.
No More Rice Bowls! Four Ways to Salvage a Wet Phone
Getting your phone wet can be stressful, so here are four tips on how to save it from water damage, from tech experts (there is no rice involved...)
6 Things You Should NEVER Leave In a Freezing Cold Car
If you live in an area with sub-zero temperatures and snowy winters, there are a few items you should never leave in a freezing car for too long.
Remove Hard Water Stains Easily With Natural Solutions!
Hard water stains can be pesky and persistent. Here's how to easily remove them from different surfaces in your home.
7 Easy, Low-Carb and Guilt-Free Pasta Recipes
Pasta is one of the most popular dishes in the world, and rightfully so – it’s easy to make, delicious, and the sauce options are numerous. Enjoy these 7 recipes that will make your cuisine dreams a reality.
Why You Need to Avoid Palm Oil Right Away
Palm oil is harmful to the environment. Here's what to do about it.
Maximize Bedroom Space With These Furniture Designs
Here is a look at some incredible furniture designs that will help maximize bedroom space.
10 Fantastic Food Hacks To Try At Home
Make your culinary experience as good as it can be using these 10 neat little kitchen hacks.
8 Surprising Ways Vinegar Can Help With Pet Care
From being a natural flea remedy to cleaning the aquarium, vinegar proves to be an excellent option for taking care of your pets.
Woah! Who Knew the Humble Fork Had This Many Uses?
Have a look at these unique but very useful fork hacks - they'll make your life a whole lot easier!
Give Your Feet a Treat With This Great Homemade Foot Soak
This simple, homemade foot soak uses only two ingredients to ensure your feet look and feel great!
Try this Ancient Indian Method for Removing Body Hair
An ancient and natural method that both men and women have been using for centuries to get rid of unnecessary hair from their bodies.
Reaching age 112: People Share Their Long Living Secrets
10 of the oldest people on earth would like to share their secret...
Do You Store Your Eggs in the Door of Your Fridge? Don't!
If you store your eggs in the refrigerator door, you should stop. Here's why.
How to Make Sure No Spider Enters Your Home
Tired of 8 legged monstrosities roaming your house? It's time to put a stop to it, the natural way.
Bacteria Time Bomb! 10 Household Items That Need Changing
You wouldn't believe the amount of harmful bacteria these common household items store, and what what a short lifespan they actually have!
12 Ways to Remove Odors from a Microwave
If your microwave has lingering smells despite regular cleaning, here are 12 DIY solutions to neutralize those odors effectively.
Struggling with Sleep? These YouTube Channels Can Help
The next time you struggle with sleep, try these YouTube channels.
Book Recommendations: 10 of the Best Reads for Dog Lovers
If your best friend is a dog, then you’ll this list of the best book about dogs.
Keep Food Daisy Fresh: Here's the Secret
Food wastage is always a shame, and that's why we should all do our best to avoid it as much as possible.
6 Surprising Mistakes You Probably Make When Cooking Pasta
If you follow these steps you'll be rewarded with a delicious dish that is worth every creamy bite.
Baking is Now a Breeze Thanks to These Terrific Tips!
Never flop a cake again. These handy charts can help you with any baking problem you might find yourself facing.
What is Your MBTI Personality? Discover Now!
A great way to find out what kind of personality you have, using a scientific personality test.
13 Mistakes You’re Making in the Shower!
Do you take a shower every day? If so, you're already making one of the 13 shower mistakes most people aren't aware of. Discover them all in the next article.
How to Make an Effective Cough Remedy Using an Orange!
Oranges are a great source of vitamin C that helps strengthen the immune system, but did you know there is a way to make it an effective cough medicine?
7 Common Missteps That Couples Over 50 Should Avoid
For couples, the 50s can be the best years of their relationship. Just avoid making these mistakes.
I’ve Found a Natural Remedy for Those Red Bumps on the Skin
A natural remedy to erasing those red bumps that appear on your arms without visiting the dermatologist. You only need to ingredients, which are easily found at the grocery store.
These Pots and Pans Storage Solutions Are an Absolute Must
If you have a small kitchen or if your cabinet space is limited, then you need to read this.
The 7 Best and 7 Worst Foods to Buy Canned
Not all canned foods are made equal, and in this article, we'll discuss those you should invest in, as well as those to definitely avoid.
The Essential Cheat Sheet for Every Fashionista
Everyone will be able to get something useful from these fashion and clothing care infographics.
9 Smart Ways to Store Your Clothes Without a Closet!
Don’t have a closet? No problem. Store your clothes using these handy tips.
These 10 Rocks May Be Pretty, But They're Also Deadly!
They look pretty but they're deadly. These surprising crystals and rocks look beautiful from afar but are deadly up close.
If You Have a Mouse Problem, This is How to Get Rid of It
If you have a mouse in your house there are many great (and humane) ways to get rid of it. Here are 6 of them.
Here's Why You Should Never Wear Shoes Inside Your House
Here are 7 reasons why you should get into the habit of taking your shoes off before you enter your house!
How to Revive Your Plants to Shiny Green Again
To help you out, we've put together a comprehensive guide that covers eight signs of plant sickness and provides solutions to restore their health and beauty.
WARNING: These 11 Carcinogens are Lurking in Your Home
There are many things lurking in our home that are dangerous to us, but these 11 items are the most surprising!
Everything You Wanted to Know About Coffee...
Is coffee healthy? Is it addictive? Is there any way to reuse coffee grounds? Find the answer these question in this coffee themed collection
Shop Smart! How to Recognize Good or Poor Quality Clothes
This informative guide will explain the 5 major ways of spotting a poor and high quality garments
Give Old Furniture a New Lease of Life with These Tips
Give your old furniture a new lease of life with these 14 tips.
Where is YOUR Dog From? The Full Dog Breed Compendium
The complete guide to dog races by country!
7 Kinds of Food Known to Cause Adult Acne
There is a significant link between adult acne and diet. These 7 food types are known to cause acne in adults
The Secret to REALLY Cleaning Your Microwave in 3 Minutes
There is a simple trick to cleaning your microwave in just a couple of minutes, and all it requires is a bowl of water and two slices of lemon.
25 Ways to Keep Your Garden Healthy and Thriving
We've collected some great tips for maintaining a healthy garden that will help you every day.
9 Foods that Directly Affect Our Body Odor
In this article, you can find details about six ingredients that can make your body odor unpleasant, and three more that bring out a nice scent.
The Next Time You Travel, Use These Hotel Hacks
All set for your new trip? Make sure you keep these hotel-room hacks in mind.