When you think about paper towels, you often think about all the possible uses. Is there a spill on the counter? Paper towel! Is there some dust on the shelf? Paper towel! Is there some weird smear on your phone? Paper towel! This is where the confusion about paper towels starts. They are super convenient, but they are not always the best choice. In fact, sometimes, they may even be the worst choice.
Here are some areas where you should stop and think about whether you should use a paper towel.
Electronics – Leave the lint behind
TV screens, computer monitors, and phone displays may look tough, but they can scratch and streak more easily than you think. Paper towels can leave behind abrasives (thanks to the paper fibers) and microscopic scratches, which add to the buildup over time. When it comes to electronics, we recommend using a microfiber cloth. They are soft, lint-free, and ideally manufactured for sensitive surfaces.
Eyeglasses – and those lenses!
Have you ever used a paper towel to wipe your glasses, only to later wonder why your glasses look harder to clean? Paper towels create microscopic scratches into the coating of your lenses. Over time, the coating deteriorates. The fix is simple—use a proper eyeglass cleaning cloth or, better yet, disposable lens wipes.
Stainless Steel Appliances – Don’t let your fingerprints become lint trails
Paper towels and stainless steel do not get along! Paper towels leave lint trails, and often, instead of a shiny surface, you get streaks that somehow ultimately look worse than when you started. Use a damp microfiber towel instead, and if you can find a cleaner designed for stainless steel, you will be left with the showroom finish without being left with the fuzz!
Fine China and Glassware – Use caution
Delicate china, crystal glassware, or anything you’d be upset to see chipped has no business getting near paper towels. They can catch on the edges of glassware and very rarely can scratch china. Soft lint-free cloths are much nicer and safer when washing or drying fine china and glassware.
Wood Furniture – Maintain the finish
Wood scratches easily, especially if it has a delicate finish to it. Paper towels don’t seem abrasive but can leave lint and, worse yet, micro-scratches behind. A slightly damp soft cloth is better for dusting and for cleaning and preserves that sheen.
Mirrors – The streak liability
If you’ve cleaned a mirror before using paper towels, then you likely spent just as much time chasing streaks as you did cleaning. Solution: 50% white vinegar and 50% water, lightly spray, and wipe with a microfiber cloth. You can achieve a clear and streak-free result without the hassle.
Leather Items – Keep the natural oils
Leather, whether it’s a couch, a bag, or a jacket, needs natural oils to be supple. Paper towels can draw those oils out and ultimately lead to dry and cracked leather. Try using a leather-safe cleaner and a soft cloth to clean or condition as you clean.
Granite and Stone Countertops – Protect the surface
Although stone may seem impervious to wear, paper towels can cause micro-scratches to build up over time, especially if you are cleaning up grime or crumbs. Using a dedicated stone cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth is the safest route to take so that you can preserve the polish of your surface without dulling the finish.
Plastic and Acrylic – Avoid the static
Plastic and acrylic, just like glass, are equally susceptible to scratching and also tend to attract more dust immediately following cleaning with a paper towel because paper towels create static each time their surface has friction. Gently cleaning surfaces with a soft cloth or a soft soap-and-water solution will clean without scratching or static, nor bringing the dust back with static.
Car Interiors – Lint is not flattering
From dashboard to touchscreen, your car’s interior has many delicate surfaces that paper towels can scratch or leave behind lint debris. While you could use cloths for wiping down, microfiber cloths are even better for cleaning without leaving lint behind. Microfiber cloths are reusable, so there’s no need to buy rolls of paper towels when cleaning your car.
Why Paper Towels Aren’t Always a Good Option
The issue with paper towels boils down to two things: texture and residue. Paper towels are more abrasive than you perceive, and those fibers (the ones that were supposed to be controlling the lint) are still not going to be the best choice for providing a nice finish for any surface. On delicate or shiny surfaces, these issues cumulatively cause scratches, streaks, and dullness over a long period of time.
Microfiber cloth, soft cotton rags, or cleaning products designed for specific surfaces will often be a better choice. They are designed to lift dirt and oils without damaging the surface you have cleaned. All can typically be washed and reused, making them a better option for your budget and for the environment.
Rethink the roll
Paper towels can be fine for spill clean-up, greasy mess clean-ups, and when you need to make a quick clean-up, but they should not be the first consideration across all surfaces in your house. You can protect your property, achieve better cleaning results, and likely save money in the long haul by replacing paper towel use with the appropriate cleaning tool for the job you are trying to clean.
So next time you reach for the roll out of habit, stop and think very quickly, is this one of those times where using a paper towel is going to make things better or worse? If it is worse, reach for a cloth instead. Your screens, furniture, countertops, and car will appreciate it!
