by Claire
A few months back there was a discussion about the great reusable towels offered on flylady.net. I went and checked them out after that discussion but then made myself a promise. I would not buy the towels–in spite of their great reviews–until I could say with confidence that we could indeed survive without paper towels. So after the last coupon purchased paper towels…I didn’t buy anymore. That was two weeks ago today and I am here to report…we have adjusted!
The first few days were spent just undoing the habit of grabbing a paper towel. I didn’t tell the kids of this experiment initially instead just letting them think we were out and I had not gotten around to restocking. I heard a few comments but they were minimal since I placed towels to use in easy to find places. I had a good stash of towels/rags that were suitable for kitchen duty and in no time at all, we all grew accustomed to using them! Steve and I agree the only time we miss them at this point is when we are cooking but that too can be overcome and unlearned. I’ve been attaching a towel to my apron when I do my major cooking and that is perfect.
While this sounds like a small step…I see it as so much more! Had you asked us 6 months ago if we could do without papertowels…I would have defended our decision to use them! Now here we are doing just fine without them. SO EXCITING!!! This gives me confidence that we can continue to make behavior adjustments and chip away at our basic living expenses to help with debt payoff!
And I’m not sure I really need those flylady towels b/c what we have now is doing the trick. Maybe I’ll put those on the gift list! 🙂 If you people get me to rinse and reuse ziploc bags…that might make the evening news!
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
Congratulations on small victories! You’d be surprised at what you could live without. I haven’t purchased paper towels in a few years now. I use microfiber cloths for the most part for spills and/or cleaning. I color code them though. I have pink for the kitchen, then green for the toilet and white for the mirrors, etc. I also gave up paper napkins and use cloth napkins. Every little bit of savings count. Good for you.
When I was single, I bought 6 rolls a year. I always use towels in my kitchen. Since my boyfriend and I started living together, we go through that many every other month. It is annoying!
This was great in our house until we got a dog with tummy issues… we’re back to paper towels for that!
I am insistent on cloth napkins though!
No doubt that you do not need the flylady towels to do the job. We have old rags for cleaning (probably basically old wash clothes) and have new wash clothes to use as napkins, as well as kitchen towels for things in between.
We do use paper towels, but very rarely.
The other thing we never buy is trash bags and plastic bags. Kids and I use reusable “disposable” tupperware for lunch (which lasts for a LONG time) and we have free plastic bags coming out of our ears (from grocery store, charity soliciations, etc., and we use reusable bags for all big grocery runs. Take the free plastic when it’s just a few things we pick up). These are no hefty bags, BUT if you double bag it, it might as well be. Never any problems. IT helps that we just don’t generate a lot of trash to begin with.
You can buy microfiber towels at WalMart for much cheaper.
I made the switch from paper towels to cloth about a year and a half ago. Our Publix will often put their paper towels as their “penny item” every few months, so I haven’t spent more than .01 for a roll since we made that change. Like Liz, above, those mainly get used for jobs with a high ick factor like pups with tummy troubles!
I use dishrags and towels in the kitchen, torn up t shirts for dusting,cloth napkins for eating, and newspapers for windows. Working for us so far! I like that I save money and do my part for the environment!
Good job doing something new to save the environment and consume a little less! And it’s great that you didn’t just buy some new product to help you be more “green.” The best way to be green is to make due with what we already own, not to buy some new gadget or device.
I have thought about doing that but have never been able to break the paper towel habit completely.
Interesting post! I often use towels while cooking but I always used paper towels for clean up and never thought to just use a towel instead – also how wasteful it becomes over time.
I do use bento boxes vs. ziploc bags so that way I can rinse and reuse every time. My bf wastes a ziploc bag a day and I’m trying to get him to stop that because he should just carry a small sandwich holder instead!