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!
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 Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Barbecue
A few common mistakes to avoid if you want to get that perfect flavorful home barbecue.
30 Genius Cleaning Hacks For the Bathroom
If you like your bathroom squeaky clean, then you simply must take a look at the 30 genius cleaning hacks in this video!
6 Home Security Mistakes to Stop Making Today
These security mistakes make you home an easy target for intruders. This is how to avoid them.
How to Revive a Dying Plant
If you have a dying plant on your hands, don't be too quick to lose hope. Here are 9 tips to revive a dying houseplant.
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.
Ten Genius Christmas Life Hacks You Surely Never Thought Of
The DIY solutions you always needed for this time of year...
10 Simple Solutions to Removing Paint Stains From Clothes
Got paint stains on your clothes but not sure how to remove them? Here's what to do.
Is Your Garden Healthy? Test It with These Soil Tips
How healthy is your garden? Test it out with these helpful tips.
Reaching age 112: People Share Their Long Living Secrets
10 of the oldest people on earth would like to share their secret...
16 Survival Gadgets for Any Emergency Situation
These cool gadgets can be extremely useful in any emergency situation.
DIY Secrets: Make Your Own, Home-Made Ziploc Bags!
This video will teach you how to make your own home-made Ziploc bags.
The 11 Best Places to Retire to in 2024
Before you is a list of recommended places to retire to in 2024, all of which offer mix of affordable living, quality healthcare, vibrant communities, and diverse cultural experiences.
Are You Making These 7 Mistakes with Your Cutting Board?
Are you making these 7 mistakes with your cutting board?
These 15 Charts Are Both Useful and Interesting!
The 15 charts cover topics like health, animals, and classical music, and they are full of useful information, perfect for a lifelong learner like you.
Keep the Bedroom Cool in the Summer Heat with These Tips!
Getting a good night's sleep during the hottest summer months doesn't have to be a challenge. With these clever easy tricks, you'll sleep like a baby!
Fake Olive Oil: Here's How You Can Spot It!
If you want to know whether the olive oil you have bought is real or an imposter, here's how you can tell!
15 Fun and Unique Craft Ideas for Home Decor
These different and creative craft ideas can add a lot of pizzazz and joy to a home. Learn how to make them here!
5 Natural Solutions to Keep Unwanted Insects Away
These illustrations will show you how to reduce your pest problems in your garden.
9 Ingenious Q-Tip Hacks for Surprising Daily Uses
We bet you never thought cotton swabs could be so handy around the house!
Grow These Plants to Banish Mosquitoes For Good!
No one likes mosquitoes, but if you're smart, you can prevent them from bothering you by having these plants in your home.
Guide: 11 Ways to Defend Yourself in an Emergency
The basic self defence tips all women should know.
These Innocuous Car Items Conceal Surprising Dangers
If you're a car owner, this video will be really helpful to you.
Did You Know Vinegar Has a Whole Range of Different Uses?
Watching this video will make you love vinegar more than you ever did before - it has loads of different uses around the house.
How To Prevent Roaches From Entering Your Home
Learn some useful tips as you struggle to keep roaches out of your home.
Senior Health Guide: Working Out With Weights
Every senior must watch this video.
The Best Time of Day to Eat Healthy Foods!
In this article we have outlined the best time of the day to indulge in some of your favorite foodstuffs.
8 Super Handy Grocery Bag Tips You Have to Try
Whether you prefer paper or plastic, there are enough hacks here to really boost your bag usage. These tips will save you time, money and space. Perfect!
What Is Your Learning Style? This Chart Explains
What is your learning style? Identify your learning style with this chart.
15 Smart Alternative Uses for Bubble Wrap No One Told You
Bubble wrap can do much more than help you move!
Here's How You Can Tell If Someone Is Lying to You
No one likes a liar, but thankfully, if you know how to read body language, you can tell if someone is lying to you.
Spectacular Potted Plants At Home Take Just 11 Easy Steps!
Plants are both beneficial to our health and make our homes look better. Here are 11 easy steps to having fabulous potted plants in your home.
8 Adorable Mini Indoor Plants to Liven Up Any Small Space
These low-maintenance houseplants aren’t just cute, they hardly take up any space!
11 Household Lifehacks You Should Never Forget
These 11 tips are complete life savers!
If You Value Your Health, Wash These 9 Foods Well
Are you washing these 9 foods correctly? Probably not!
You Can Use Windex For MUCH More Than Just Windows
First invented in the 1930s, Windex is a potent solution that can be used for so much more than what it was originally intended for, as this list proves.
How to Choose, Cook and Prepare a Perfect Steak!
Most of us want to know how to cook the perfect steak, and now, thanks to these fantastic guides, we can!
This DIY Food Dispenser Will Transform Your Pet's Life!
A great way to ensure your pet is getting the right amount of food.
10 Tips to Make the iPhone User-Friendly for Seniors
Use these tips to make the iPhone easier for the seniors in your life.
14 Common Plants That Are Toxic for Your Pets
Did you realize that many of the plants in our environment are toxic for your pets? Find out which here. If you noticed that your pet has consumed any of these plants, contact your local veterinarian or Animal Poison Control center immediately.
4 Smart Ways to Keep Your Herbs Fresh
To help keep your herbs fresh and delicious for longer, we've compiled four tips for you.
The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make While Filing Taxes
Tax season is here. Make sure you don’t end up making these filing mistakes.
Who Knew That Aluminum Foil Had So Many Extra Uses?!
How much use do you get out of your aluminum foil roll? Not much? Here are 16 extra uses you have probably never heard of.
Never Put Your Phone in These 8 Common Places!
If you care about your cell phone and your health, then make sure you never leave your device in any of these places.
HEARING LOSS: How to Keep Your Hearing Strong for Longer
It's not just age that steals away our hearing, but also bad listening habits that damage our ears. Here are 10 tips to help keep your hearing strong.
These Remedies That Get Rid of Facial Hair Actually Work
Got excess facial hair? Here are 7 natural remedies to remove it.
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.