DIY Guide: Make Your Own Reusable Paper Towels

Hello there! Are you looking for a way to reduce your environmental impact by cutting down on single-use paper products? Look no further than reusable paper towels! These washable, reusable cloth towels are easy to make and use. Plus, they’re a cost-effective alternative to continuously purchasing paper towels.

To start making your reusable paper towels, you will need some fabric scraps – old t-shirts or towels work well – and a sewing machine or needle and thread. By using upcycled materials, you can give new life to old textiles that might otherwise end up in a landfill. With a little bit of effort and creativity, you can create a set of sturdy and eco-friendly towels that are perfect for cleaning up spills, drying dishes, or wiping down surfaces in your home.

Materials Needed

Reusable paper towels are a great way to reduce the amount of waste you produce at home, while also saving money on disposable paper towels. Here are the materials you will need to make your own reusable paper towels:

1. Fabric

The first thing you’ll need is fabric. We recommend using 100% cotton flannel or terry cloth because these materials are highly absorbent and great for cleaning. You can choose to use a variety of colors and prints to match your kitchen decor.

2. Scissors

You’ll need a good pair of scissors to cut your fabric into the desired size and shape.

3. Ruler or Measuring Tape

You’ll want to make sure your paper towels are all the same size, so a ruler or measuring tape is essential.

4. Sewing Machine or Needle and Thread

To put your paper towels together, you can use a sewing machine or simply hand-stitch the edges with a needle and thread.

5. Iron

It’s important to iron your fabric before cutting and sewing to ensure that it lays flat and is easier to handle.

6. Pins

Pins are helpful for holding the fabric in place while cutting and sewing.

7. Fabric Marker or Pencil

To mark the fabric before cutting, you can use a fabric marker or even a regular pencil.

8. Serger (Optional)

If you have a serger, you can use it to finish the edges of your paper towels and prevent fraying. This step is optional, but it will make your paper towels look more professional.

9. Snaps or Velcro

Instead of using traditional paper towel rolls, you can attach snaps or velcro to your reusable paper towels to make them more convenient to use and store.

10. Storage Container

A storage container will keep your reusable paper towels organized and easily accessible. You can use a basket, drawer, or even a repurposed plastic container from an old store-bought paper towel roll.

Cutting and Sewing

Once you have all your materials ready, it’s time to start cutting and sewing your reusable paper towels. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1:

Wash, dry, and iron your fabric to make it easier to handle.

Step 2:

Using a ruler or measuring tape, cut your fabric into your desired size. A good size is around 12 inches by 12 inches.

Step 3:

If you are using a serger, finish the edges of your fabric now. If you are not using a serger, skip to step 4.

Step 4:

Fold the sides of your fabric over about 1/4 inch and pin in place.

Step 5:

Sew around the edges of the fabric, removing the pins as you go.

Step 6:

Attach snaps or velcro to the corners of your paper towels, if desired.

Step 7:

Store your reusable paper towels in a convenient location and use them whenever you would normally use a disposable paper towel.

Reusable paper towels are a great way to reduce waste and save money, all while adding some personal style to your kitchen. With these simple steps and some basic materials, you can easily make your own reusable paper towels at home.

What materials do you need to make reusable paper towels?

Before you can start making your own reusable paper towels, you need to gather the required materials. The good news is that the materials are easy to find, eco-friendly, and affordable. Here is what you need:

1. Organic Cotton Fabric – The base of the paper towel should be made with unbleached organic cotton fabric as it’s absorbent and durable.

2. Terry Cloth Fabric – The terry fabric is the absorbent layer that’s commonly used in towels, making it perfect for reusable paper towels.

3. Sewing Machine – You’ll need a sewing machine to sew together the different layers of your paper towel.

4. Thread – Choose a color that complements the fabric and adds a decorative touch.

5. Scissors – You’ll need scissors to cut the fabric to the desired size.

6. Pins – Sewing pins are perfect for holding the fabric in place while sewing.

7. Ruler – A ruler will come in handy when measuring the fabric.

8. Iron – You’ll need an iron to press the seams and make the paper towels look sharp.

9. Cutting Mat – If you have a rotary cutter, a cutting mat will make cutting the fabric easier and more precise.

10. Rotary Cutter – Although not necessary, a rotary cutter is an excellent tool for cutting the fabric quickly and accurately.

By having all the required materials, making your reusable paper towels becomes an achievable task. Now that you have your materials ready, it’s time to move onto the next step – cutting the fabric!

Benefits of Reusable Paper Towels

As we have already learned how to make reusable paper towels, let’s now move towards the important aspect of knowing the benefits of using them. In this section, we will discuss how reusable paper towels can benefit both the environment and your wallet.

Environmental Benefits

Using reusable paper towels can have a significant positive impact on the environment. Let’s have a look at some of the key benefits.

Reusable paper towels can help reduce landfill waste as they can be washed and reused multiple times. This, in turn, can lead to a reduction in deforestation as fewer trees are cut down to create disposable paper towels. Additionally, making reusable towels from more sustainable materials like cotton or bamboo can offer even further environmental benefits.

The production of disposable paper towels requires a significant amount of water and energy as well as the use of chemicals. By using reusable paper towels, you can aid in the reduction of all these factors.

Financial Benefits

Aside from being environmentally friendly, reusable paper towels can also help you save money. Below are some ways in which this can be achieved.

The initial cost of purchasing reusable paper towels may be high, but in the long run, you save money as they can be washed, dried, and reused a number of times. By using reusable paper towels, you can also avoid purchasing disposable paper towels continuously, saving a considerable amount of money over time.

Making reusable paper towels requires less energy as compared to disposable paper towels which require a lot of energy. By reducing your energy costs, you can save more money.

Finally, the use of reusable paper towels can help reduce your water bill as stainless steel cleaning cloths which are reusable require much less water to clean than a disposable paper towel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the benefits of using reusable paper towels are undeniable. By replacing disposable paper towels with reusable ones, you can contribute to the protection of the environment as there is less waste being added to landfills. Additionally, using reusable paper towels can help you save money in the long run. Making your own reusable paper towels can be a fun and useful project, and we hope you have found this article helpful in providing an easy-to-follow guide on how to make them.

That’s a wrap!

Thanks for reading about how to make reusable paper towels! You now have a fun and eco-friendly project to tackle in your spare time. Remember to wash and reuse your new towels for years to come. If you liked this article, we encourage you to visit us again for more easy and practical DIY ideas. Happy crafting!