I started using washable cloths for window cleaning and similar chores. Saves so much money wasted on paper towels!
There’s lots of things you can clean around the house with using nice cloths or even old clothes cut up for this use. I like the double strength cleaning vinegar for windows and glass tops too – gets rid of hard water stains too. So many cheap ways to clean.
Use washable cloths instead of paper towels
byu/ripfritz inFrugal
Posted by ripfritz
7 Comments
I cut up my old pajamas and things like that to use for cleaning cloths. I refinish old furniture so I can’t imagine how much I’d spend on disposable products if I didn’t have rags to use instead.
I buy 50 packs of microfiber washcloths, keep them in those grocery bag dispensers. Not buying paper towels anymore. I use them on my body and house.
Not in my region.
If we have enough rain and the reservoirs are full, I don’t worry about how much water I use, but our drought periods are getting longer and more frequent. Washing cleaning cloths uses more water.
And unbleached paper towels come from a renewable resource (trees) and add to the landfill we may need as oceans rise.
If you live in a region with plenty of water, definitely re-use cloths.
I clean up the bulk of messes with wrappers from packages, junk mail papers and such. I then go in with rags. Works really well and saves waste.
I have blue washcloths and towels, just for cleaning
I got some reusable bamboo paper towels, I’ve been enjoying them. The roll I got was maybe $5 and since December I’ve only used 5 sheets I think? I cut each sheet into 4 and use and wash the piece until it falls apart
I also have some full fabric ones I use for drying my cast iron and other pots, and I use bar towels for a lot of cleaning and moping up spills
You probably already know this, but old news papers work great for window washing. No streaks. Most people don’t have a newspaper subscription anymore because obviously, but if you go to a local gas station in the evening you can ask the night shift to save you yesterday’s paper when they come to collect it and they usually can. Just a thought to add.