Green Household Cleaning

One of the simple and easy green things I have done for the past couple of years is drastically cut down my use of paper towels (kitchen roll). I now use a variety of items that I throw in the washing machine every few days. The only time I really use paper towels is on the rare occasions that I deep fry something or the that my dogs throw up. What do I use you ask? Well, here goes...

1. Wash cloths (flannels)- I bought a pack of a dozen or so wash cloths to use instead of paper towels when wiping counters or cleaning some dishes. They are so much cheaper than some of the towels specifically made for kitchen purposes and are a great size.

2. Sponges and textured cloths- I use sponges to do the washing up (no dishwasher here) and found some cloths with a textured backing (by Kitchen Aid), which are also great for washing dishes. These don't really replace paper towels, but I wash them all and reuse them, so they replace disposable sponges. When the sponges are nearing meeting their maker, they move on the becoming cleaning sponges (bathroom or stove).

3. Tea towels (cup towels, dish cloths)- I usually air dry my dishes, but I find tea towels to be most helpful in soaking up spills in any room of the house. I also use them when dusting or cleaning mirrors. I have been gifted or purchased some of my tea towels and highly absorbent cloths, but I also use t-shirts when they have become unwearable.

4. Cloth napkins- When I was living and working in France, I got in the habit of using the same cloth napkin for about a week. This works really well unless you are a very messy eater. I keep a cloth napkin on my desk at work to use at lunch time. I also use them at home and throw them in the wash every few days. I sometimes do use paper napkins because I absentmindedly buy pretty ones when at Ikea or someplace.

Like I said before, I wash these things every few days. I have a bucket near my washing machine where I toss them until there are enough for a small load in the washer. When they are clean, I hang them to dry either inside or outside. Tumble drying might be good for sanitizing, but I feel the sun is equally good. I also don't have a dryer, so I air dry everything (even in the winter when I have a curious system).

Another thing to consider is the length of time you can have your dirty towels standing. Houston is really a very humid place, and depending on your cooling system (mine is window units and doesn't quite cool the kitchen where I have my washing machine), your towels might start to mold or get smelly before you wash them. A good way to avoid this is to fill your bucket with cold water and a half cup of vinegar and some baking soda, if you have it, until you are ready to wash them. Still, keep an eye on the towels because you will lose them if they mold (or you could use them for car washing or the like).