Swap paper towels for washable cloths
Kitchen roll is the fastest-recurring disposable in most homes. A stack of cotton or bamboo cloths handles the same jobs for years.
~100 rolls
avoided per household, per year
51,000
trees felled daily for global paper-towel use
300+
washes from a decent cotton cloth
TL;DR
Best replacement right now: Bamboo Cotton Dish Cloths (Set of 3) by Humble Co. (88/100 ethics). Runners-up: Unpaper Towels (24 Pack), Luxury Organic Cotton Kitchen & Dining Bundle, Fair Trade Hand-Knit Cotton Dishcloths.
How to make the switch
- Buy 10–12 cloths so you never run out between washes.
- Colour-code: one set for surfaces, one for spills, one for bathrooms.
- Wash at 60°C with your normal load — no separate cycle needed.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Microfibre sheds plastic; prefer cotton, hemp or bamboo terry.
- Keep one small roll for raw-meat spills if that makes the switch stick.
Top-scoring replacements
- 1
ExcellentPETA ApprovedCruelty-FreeFSC CertifiedSustainable, compostable dish cloths from a Swedish dental-turned-home brand, perfect for seniors looking to reduce waste without the weight of heavy sponges.
- 2
Excellent1% for the PlanetFSC CertifiedA high-quality, reusable alternative to disposable paper towels, handmade in Oregon from sustainable materials to drastically reduce household waste.
- 3
ExcellentB CorpGOTSPETA ApprovedA premium, high-GSM organic cotton bundle featuring heavy-duty tea towels and dish cloths, ethically manufactured through a transparent Egyptian-to-Eastern European supply chain.
- 4
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeVeganHand-knit by a women's collective in India, these GOTS-certified organic cotton dishcloths offer a zero-waste alternative to synthetic sponges and paper towels.
- 5
ExcellentVeganCruelty-FreeFair TradeFSC CertifiedA plastic-free, reusable floor cleaning pad made from coconut coir and jute, sourced from fair-trade cooperatives in Guatemala. Hand-washable and durable for off-grid living.
- 6
ExcellentB CorpGlobal Recycled StandardPlastic NeutralAn innovative, sustainable dish-scrubbing system that replaces plastic sponges with bamboo, ceramic, and recycled materials.
- 7
Excellent1% for the PlanetWoman OwnedHandmade in Oregon, these 'UNpaper' towels offer a high-quality, zero-waste alternative to disposable paper products, focusing on local manufacturing and textile waste reduction.
- 8
VeganGOTSFair TradeHigh-quality, certified organic cotton produce bags that replace dozens of single-use plastic bags. Fair Trade certified from women-led cooperatives in India (Eastern Europe connection via brand’s sourcing network).
- 9
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeGOTSPETA ApprovedA stunning, artisan-made throw that supports women’s empowerment in India while utilizing 100% plant-based, organic fibers.
- 10
ExcellentGOTSFair TradePETA Approved VeganDemeter CertifiedHand-loomed in West Bengal by a social enterprise, these biodynamic cotton towels support fair wages and regenerative agriculture for the newly plant-based kitchen.
- 11
ExcellentOEKO-TEX Standard 100PETA ApprovedClimate NeutralThe ultimate paper-towel alternative, these OEKO-TEX certified cloths use just water to clean, removing 99% of bacteria and leaving a streak-free finish on all glass surfaces.
- 12
ExcellentFair TradeGOTSOEKO-TEXExquisite hand-woven table linens designed by a Brooklyn-based Ethiopian-American designer and crafted by artisans in Ethiopia using GOTS-certified organic cotton.
- 13
ExcellentB CorpGlobal Recycled StandardPETA ApprovedHigh-quality table linens made from industry textile waste in Guatemala, featuring oversized dimensions and high-contrast edges for low-vision accessibility.
- 14
ExcellentFSC CertifiedPETA Approved VeganRegenerative OrganicHand-carved in South Korea from regeneratively grown bamboo, this 7-piece utensil set is finished with food-grade camellia oil instead of toxic lacquers.
- 15
ExcellentFair TradeWFTO MemberHand-spun and hand-woven Ethiopian cotton napkins produced by a women-led collective committed to slow fashion and fair wages.
- 16
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetUSDA OrganicA zero-waste alternative to plastic straws, handcrafted from single-piece organic bamboo by a certified B Corp committed to fair labor.
- 17
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeGOTSPremium, artisan-made kitchen linens that support indigenous weaving techniques and provide stable fair-trade income to cooperatives in Mexico and Guatemala.
- 18
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeGOTSVeganHighly absorbent, GOTS-certified organic cotton towels that support fair labor and regenerative farming, replacing disposable paper towels.
- 19
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetWomen-OwnedThe ultimate plastic-free storage solution made from platinum food-grade silicone. Durable, versatile, and backed by a robust recycling program.
- 20
ExcellentB Corp Certified1% for the PlanetThe world's first barista-standard reusable cup, designed to replace single-use paper cups and support the circular economy.
- 21
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetWomen-OwnedClimate NeutralStasher is the gold standard for plastic-free food storage, offering a durable, platinum-silicone alternative to single-use plastics that is oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe.
- 22
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetPETA ApprovedThe gold standard in reusable storage, these platinum-grade silicone bags are designed to replace thousands of single-use plastics over their lifetime.
- 23
ExcellentB CorpUSDA OrganicFair Trade1% for the PlanetA ultra-sustainable alternative to plastic and melamine, made from organic bamboo using fair labor practices and zero chemical lacquers.
- 24
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetAn infinitely reusable, platinum silicone storage solution designed to replace single-use plastics in the kitchen, featuring a patented Pinch-Lok seal.
Categories in this swap
Frequently asked questions
Are reusable cloths hygienic?+
Yes, when washed at 60°C and dried fully. Damp cloths left bunched are the real hygiene risk, not reuse itself.
Is the extra laundry worse for the planet?+
No — cloths ride along in existing loads, so the marginal water and energy cost is tiny next to pulping and shipping paper.