When you have a spill, the first thing you might do is run for paper towels. Sure paper towels are perfect for cleaning up spills and drips, but did you know that they are capable of so much more? You may never look at paper towels the same again after reading these 7 creative uses for paper towels below. It turns out, they are pretty practical to keep around the home, and by that I mean in more than just the kitchen. Here are some uses to get you started.
1. Make herbs last longer.
If you want your fresh herbs to last longer, wrap them in a damp paper towel and set them in a cool place like the refrigerator. This will help keep them moist and prevent any drying out or wilting until you are ready to use them.
2. Feed your compost bin.
Paper towels are perfect for your compost bin since they contain carbon. When you are done using a paper towel, rinse it out well to remove any of the product that was on it, shred it, and toss it into your compost bin. It will help you generate rich compost that your garden will love.
3. Line drawers.
Paper towels are perfect for lining the insides of kitchen drawers. Just cut the paper towels to fit and place them inside. When they get to worn out, simply toss them and add new ones. This is the perfect no fuss way to line drawers, and works well even in bathrooms for cosmetic/hair supply drawers.
4. Keep your microwave clean.
Keep paper towels near the microwave so whenever you are heating up food you can cover the dish. This is the easiest way to keep food from splattering and makes cleaning your microwave later so much easier. Any food that does splatter can be easily wiped up with the paper towel you used as covering.
5. Clean off corn.
When cleaning off corn on the cob, use a damp paper towel to remove the last bits of corn silk and other debris that tends to stick. Just a quick wipe up and down the corn will make a huge difference and make your job easier.
6. Create budget friendly pest control.
Are mice a problem in your home? Add a few generous drops of peppermint oil to a piece of paper towel and stuff the towel in any openings where you think mice are coming in. The peppermint oil as well as the blockage will help send them in another direction.
7. Collect moisture in food products.
Don’t want your dry rice to stick together in chunks? Don’t want your brown sugar to harden in chunks? Then add a piece of paper towel to the bag and it will absorb any moisture, leaving your food in its original state and stick/chunk free.
Are you excited to put these creative uses for paper towels to use? Grab a roll of paper towels and see how they are very well worth their weight in gold.
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the ways that you get the most out of your paper towels?
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I always have paper towels handy especially since I am a klutz and spills happen all too frequently. I do use them in the bathroom but keep them in the kitchen—mad dash to the kitchen and back–oh well-no room in there to keep a roll. I did not know about putting them in food bags like rice and brown sugar. Definitely am going to have to try that one.
I like the idea to make herbs last longer. I’ve used them to sprout seeds, as well. Just wet the paper towels, and layer the seeds between them.
These are great tips. I use paper towels a lot. I have to try number 5.
These are great uses. I didn’t know about number 7. I will try this trick.
We do a lot of cleaning with our paper towels and for storing lettuce in a zip lock bag!
These are great ideas. I actually have used them in my compost bed as well.
I had no idea about the peppermint oil for mice!! These are great ideas I need to try them out!
Great tip about the peppermint oil! Never know when that might come in handy.
These are all great tips 🙂 I should try this. Thank you for sharing such useful organic uses for paper towels.
Love all these paper towel uses. I obviously know some of the basic uses but it was fun to learn about some of the other ways that you can use them such as the compost bin one. Great post!