Stop going through paper towels like there is no tomorrow. I mean I get the draw, because some kitchen cloths are scary. S.C.A.R.Y. You usually know the scary ones by their extremely repugnant smell. That smell is bacteria growing in the dishcloth that you could potentially spread on all the surfaces of your kitchen. Do not use a smelly dishcloth!
There is a better way than paper towels. I’ve used this technique for years. It is so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t thought of it yet.
Step 1) Have a drawer or place to stash a ton of kitchen cloths.
Step 2) Get yourself in the habit of reaching for a new cloth, pretty much at every meal time to clean up. These are the same cloths I do dishes and dry them with as well.
Step 3) Before you grab a new dishcloth or dish towel out, put the used one in a bucket under your kitchen sink. Since I got rid of my toxic cleaners, I have lots of room under my sink!
Step 4) When you are about to run out of wash cloths, run the wash cloths through the wash. I do mine once a week on Wednesdays.
Bonus tip: I use my mop bucket to hold the wash cloths, so every time I do the wash, I mop before I fill up the bucket again. This way I’m not storing 2 buckets in my kitchen. Before I load up dirty cloths again, I spray some Basic G in the bottom of the bucket so it doesn’t get moldy down there. {Buy Basic G here - one bottle of Basic G will make 75 gallons of germicide that mixes easily in a spray bottle.}
Doesn’t that sound super easy? We go through a roll of paper towels maybe every few months. Otherwise, I would have to use at least a roll a week to make up for how often I need to wipe surfaces in my kitchen. Save a tree and use re-usable wash cloths for all your kitchen needs. And seriously, a wash cloth is so much better to use than a paper towel. For real.
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Mary is a professional organizer and mother of four, dedicated to bringing you organizing and homemaking tips and tricks.
Super smart Mary. I think I might have to start doing this as well. We go through way too many paper towels and it drives me nuts. So do you also use the microfiber clothes with your cleaning products or do you just use the wash cloths? Do you dust with these cloths too? Thanks! :)
I have 2 baskets under my sink. One is for dirty cloths & towels like you do, and the other is for dirty cleaning rags. I like to keep them separate. It saves me time not having to run them down to the laundry room every day. I wash them once a week or as needed. I do wish I had a larger drawer for the clean ones! :)
OK, this is super easy! Why haven’t I been doing this??? Thanks for sharing at Gettin’ Krafty With It!
Ok, I have to ask where you got your floral cloths from? I have some wall decals like them and would love to get some to match. I love your idea, I just have to get my hubby to stop using two paper towels every time he washes his hands! I might convince him to use the cloths for drying off his hands if he knows it’s a clean one.
Also, do you have a catalog for all of your cleaning supplies?
I love this idea. My main problem is finding washclothes I like that are affordable and not so cheap that they fall apart. Where do you buy your washclothes?
Or…by a Norwex envirocloth. Wipe, rinse, hang up, done. Wash when it smells (which will take a while to happen). Again, I think Norwex is a great compliment to your Shaklee lifestyle. :)
I keep my clean towels under the sink and throw the dirty ones out in a container in the garage(just outside the laundry room) every night before I go to bed. I can’t believe how empty your sink cabinet is. Mine is full with a tub of rags, recycling and kitchen cleaning products. @ Jen, Target sells thin white washcloths that can be used as rags. If you use white, then you can bleach them
I have a similar system set up but in my laundry (there’s no room under my kitchen sink!) .Putting them all through the wash together is also handy and hygienic too. Thanks for sharing your tip.
Great idea. I love it. I always worry about the bacteria my washcloth might be holding.
Clever! I switched from paper towels to cloths about a year ago and am loving it; but I never thought to keep a bucket in the kitchen for the used ones. Ingenious!
I do the same thing with my kitchen rags! But, I still have one problem… what about the rags that are really wet when you’re done using them? Seems like ours always are when we get done sanitizing counter tops. Where do you hang them to dry if there is still a week left until it’s time to wash all the rags? You know, so they don’t start growing?
This is helpful…I just finished reading Jen Hatmaker’s book 7 and I’m trying to figure out how to cut down on all this unnecessary stuff (like paper towels, etc.) Thanks for the tip!
How would I get the product specifications for that Basic-G? I’m interested in buying it for our office, but need the specifications of what it is actually certified to kill, and any product warnings, such as skin irritant, etc. Thanks in advance! Can you contact me by email?
I like that tip! I do something similar, but I just change mine once a day (or more often if I do something gross). The rag dries out overnight, then I change it in the morning. I never put my rags in the bucket wet. I let them dry out first.
Also I rinse and wring out my rag well each time after I use it.
Great tip – I love using real towels instead of paper towels, I just feel like they do a better job (probably just in my head) – I love the tip about the double-duty bucket!
Marissa
I love this, I keep a nappy bucket full of water and a little peppermint oil under the sink for bibs and cloths. I have never heard of basic g though. I will have to check it out. Paper towel is such a waste!
I use those “shamwow” (?) orange towels in the same way. I cut them in 4, and have a stack of clean ones and a pail with dirty ones. at the end of the day I let the used one dry, and in the morning I put them in the pail…to avoid mold problems (which you might not have with your cloth ones)
I’ve been using rags for some time. I never have figured a way to manage the dirty ones (too icky to throw in regular hamper). Your bucket idea is great. I’ll give it a whirl!
Great idea! I’m definitely going to try this!
Great idea! I need to try this system.
I’ve been meaning to start a system like this. I’m pretty hyper-clean when it comes to dish cloths, but then the used cloths end up hanging around until laundry day. I love the process with the mop bucket. Thanks for sharing this. I’m going to try it!
Mary: You are incredible!!! seriously I’m so impressed! You’re right. So very simple and SMART!
Thanks for linking up again at mercyinkblog.com! we’re blessed by your inspiration!!!
xo,
lauren
I love this tip. (I think I remember reading it back on your old family blog years ago?) I finally put it into action after we were going through so many wash cloths with our messy toddler. It’s so simple, yet brilliant. It’s made our kitchen cleaner and easier, so thank you!
This is so helpful! My husband hates using dishcloths because they start to smell. I will definitely be changing my ways. Thanks for sharing at Snips and Spice Sunday Slice.
Malory