Paper towels are handy, but they get used for a few seconds and then thrown away. A small stack of washable microfiber cloths can handle most of the same jobs for years. This guide shows how to set up a simple system so the switch actually sticks.
Quick answer: Buy 12 to 24 microfiber cloths, keep a clean stack where you used to keep paper towels, put a small bin nearby for used ones, and wash them together with detergent but no fabric softener or bleach. Keep one backup roll for greasy or really gross messes.
Why replace paper towels
Paper towels add up. The U.S. EPA estimates that tissue paper and towels (not counting toilet paper) totaled 3.8 million tons of trash in 2018, and the agency did not identify any significant recycling of these products (EPA). Used paper towels are usually too dirty to recycle.
Microfiber also cleans well. A University of Washington fact sheet reports that in one study a microfiber mop reduced bacteria on floors by 99%, compared with 30% for a cotton mop (University of Washington). Its tiny fibers trap dust and grime, so you can often clean with just water or less cleaner.
What you need
- 12 to 24 microfiber cloths (a few colors if you want to color-code)
- A basket or drawer for clean cloths near the kitchen sink
- A small bin or hook for used cloths
- Regular laundry detergent
- Optional: a laundry bag designed to catch microfibers in the wash
How to switch from paper towels to microfiber
- Count your paper towel uses. For a day or two, notice when you grab a paper towel: spills, counters, hands, windows. That tells you how many cloths you need.
- Buy enough cloths. Most households do well with 12 to 24, so you always have clean ones while others are in the wash.
- Color-code by job. For example, blue for kitchen counters, green for dusting and another color for bathrooms. This keeps germs from moving from room to room.
- Make them easy to grab. Put clean cloths where the paper towel holder used to be. Move the paper towel roll to a cabinet.
- Set up a used-cloth bin. Let damp cloths dry before tossing them in so they don’t smell.
- Wash them right. Wash microfiber with other microfiber, using detergent only. Skip bleach and fabric softener, which clog the fibers and make cloths less absorbent. Air dry or tumble dry on low.
- Keep a backup roll. It is fine to save a roll of paper towels for bacon grease, pet accidents or raw meat juices.
Tips
- Use a lint-free microfiber cloth for glass. It leaves fewer streaks than paper towels.
- Avoid lint. Washing microfiber with cotton towels coats it in lint.
- Reduce microplastic shedding. Microfiber is made from plastic fibers, so wash full loads and consider a filter bag or washer filter.
- Use cloth napkins too if your household uses paper towels at meals.
Frequently asked questions
How many microfiber cloths do I need to replace paper towels?
Most households need about 12 to 24. That gives you enough clean cloths for daily use while a load is in the laundry.
Why shouldn’t I use fabric softener on microfiber?
Fabric softener leaves a coating that clogs the tiny fibers. That makes cloths less absorbent and less able to grab dirt.
Are microfiber cloths bad for the environment?
They are made of plastic and can shed tiny fibers in the wash. But one cloth replaces many paper towels over hundreds of uses. Washing full loads and using a microfiber filter bag helps reduce shedding.
Are microfiber cloths more sanitary than paper towels?
Microfiber traps dirt and bacteria well, but only when cloths are washed regularly. Use a fresh cloth for each cleaning job and color-code cloths to keep bathroom and kitchen germs apart.
See your household waste impact
Curious how paper towels, packaging and other trash add up in your home? Try our free Household Waste Simulator to see what your household throws away and which swaps make the biggest difference.
Related guides
- How to Switch to Refillable Glass Spray Bottles for Cleaning
- How to Switch to Concentrated Cleaning Tablets
- How to Switch from Plastic Wrap to Beeswax Wraps
Sources
- U.S. EPA, Nondurable Goods: Product-Specific Data
- University of Washington, Microfiber fact sheet
Written and reviewed by the Accessible Sustainability Alliance editorial team. Last updated October 5, 2026.
