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: The Reusable Paper Towels (24-Sheet Pack) by Marley's Monsters (96/100 ethics). Runners-up: Unpaper Towels (24 Pack), The Reusable Coffee Filter, 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
ExcellentB Corp1% for the Planet4.9 (850)A woman-owned, small-batch textile brand from Oregon producing 'UNpaper' towels that eliminate single-use kitchen waste. These are handmade from 100% cotton flannel with high transparency.
- 2
Excellent1% for the PlanetFSC Certified4.9 (4,200)A high-quality, reusable alternative to disposable paper towels, handmade in Oregon from sustainable materials to drastically reduce household waste.
- 3
ExcellentGOTS1% for the Planet4.8 (4,200)A family-owned, sustainably made organic cotton alternative to disposable paper filters, handcrafted in Austin, Texas.
- 4
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeVegan4.8 (450)Hand-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
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeGOTSPETA Approved4.9 (312)A stunning, artisan-made throw that supports women’s empowerment in India while utilizing 100% plant-based, organic fibers.
- 6
ExcellentB CorpFSC CertifiedPETA Approved4.9 (22,000)A 100% bamboo-based toilet tissue that combines luxury softness with an industry-leading social mission, donating 50% of profits to global sanitation projects.
- 7
ExcellentFair TradeGOTSOEKO-TEX4.9 (85)Exquisite hand-woven table linens designed by a Brooklyn-based Ethiopian-American designer and crafted by artisans in Ethiopia using GOTS-certified organic cotton.
- 8ExcellentB CorpFSC CertifiedVegan4.8 (12,400)
Premium 3-ply bamboo toilet paper that funds global sanitation projects while protecting old-growth forests.
- 9
ExcellentGOTSB CorpGreenguard Gold4.9 (840)A fully customizable, organic pillow filled with sustainable kapok fiber—a vegan, silk-like alternative to down.
- 10
ExcellentGOTSFair Trade1% for the PlanetMADE SAFE4.8 (1,240)Luxury spa-quality towels crafted from 100% organic cotton, prioritizing soil health and fair labor practices throughout the supply chain.
- 11
ExcellentFair TradeWFTO Member4.9 (85)Hand-spun and hand-woven Ethiopian cotton napkins produced by a women-led collective committed to slow fashion and fair wages.
- 12
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeGOTS4.9 (112)Premium, artisan-made kitchen linens that support indigenous weaving techniques and provide stable fair-trade income to cooperatives in Mexico and Guatemala.
- 13
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetUSDA Organic4.8 (850)A zero-waste alternative to plastic straws, handcrafted from single-piece organic bamboo by a certified B Corp committed to fair labor.
- 14
ExcellentB CorpGlobal Recycled StandardPETA Approved4.9 (88)High-quality table linens made from industry textile waste in Guatemala, featuring oversized dimensions and high-contrast edges for low-vision accessibility.
- 15
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeGOTSVegan4.8 (350)Highly absorbent, GOTS-certified organic cotton towels that support fair labor and regenerative farming, replacing disposable paper towels.
- 16
ExcellentB CorpFSC CertifiedCruelty-Free4.8 (12,450)An eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper towels, made from 100% bamboo with 50% of profits donated to build toilets in underserved communities.
- 17
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetPETA ApprovedClimate Neutral4.7 (18,500)Stasher is a pioneer in plastic-free food storage, offering platinum-grade silicone bags that replace thousands of single-use plastics while maintaining high durability and safety standards.
- 18
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetWomen-OwnedClimate Neutral4.7 (22,450)Stasher 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.
- 19
ExcellentB CorpFSC Certified4.8 (18,200)Luxury-feel bamboo toilet paper that donates 50% of its profits to build toilets and improve sanitation in underserved communities worldwide.
- 20ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetWomen-Owned4.8 (22,400)
The ultimate plastic-free storage solution made from platinum food-grade silicone. Durable, versatile, and backed by a robust recycling program.
- 21ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetWomen-Owned4.8 (22,450)
A high-performance, platinum silicone alternative to single-use plastics, supporting ocean conservation and ethical manufacturing.
- 22
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetPETA Approved4.8 (22,000)The 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 Planet4.8 (320)A ultra-sustainable alternative to plastic and melamine, made from organic bamboo using fair labor practices and zero chemical lacquers.
- 24
ExcellentB Corp Certified1% for the Planet4.6 (5,200)The world's first barista-standard reusable cup, designed to replace single-use paper cups and support the circular economy.
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.