7 Things You Should Never Use Paper Towels For

Paper towels are like that one friend who shows up to help you move but disappears as soon as the heavy lifting starts. They look helpful, but honestly? They’re not cut out for every job. I’ve wasted more than my fair share of rolls (and money) by trying to make them work in situations they had no business being in. And trust me, nothing stings like realizing you just shredded half a roll for something a reusable cloth could’ve handled better.

So, let’s talk about 7 things you should never use paper towels for. If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen holding a soggy wad of paper towel, wondering where it all went wrong, this one’s for you. 🙂

1. Cleaning Mirrors and Glass

Ever wiped down your bathroom mirror with a paper towel only to end up with streaks that look worse than the toothpaste splatter you started with? Same. Paper towels leave behind lint, streaks, and sometimes even tear mid-wipe like they’re auditioning for a tissue commercial.

Better alternative? Use a microfiber or nanofiber cloth. These are designed to grab onto dirt and grease without leaving behind fuzzies. I switched to one a year ago, and my bathroom mirror finally stopped looking like I brushed my teeth with a paintbrush.

2. Wiping Up Big Spills

Paper towels crumble under pressure, literally. Ever dropped a full glass of juice and thought, “I’ll just grab some paper towels”? Yeah, bad idea. You’ll blow through half a roll and still have sticky floors.

Better alternative? Grab a reusable cloth or mop it up. Microfiber cloths soak up liquid way faster, and you can toss them in the wash. FYI, one NanoTowel I use can replace dozens of paper towel sheets for spills like this. That’s money saved and less waste.

3. Greasy or Oily Messes

Trying to soak up bacon grease with paper towels is like using a napkin to stop an oil spill. The towel just gets soggy and rips apart, leaving you with greasy fingers and a bigger mess.

Better alternative? Use a reusable cloth you don’t mind washing, or if you need to dispose of the grease, pour it into a jar and toss it once it’s full. IMO, bacon deserves better than being remembered for the mess it leaves behind.

4. Dusting Surfaces

Paper towels + dust = disaster. Instead of trapping dust, paper towels push it around like a broom in denial. You end up with dust bunnies just migrating from one corner of the room to another.

Better alternative? A microfiber duster or reusable cloth traps dust and actually removes it. Plus, you won’t get those tiny scratches paper towels can leave on wood or electronics. Ever noticed faint swirl marks on your TV screen? Yeah, blame the paper towels.

5. Cleaning Electronics

Wiping your laptop screen or phone with a paper towel is basically like sandpapering it. Paper towels are too rough, and they leave lint that clings to every static-charged surface. The result? A screen that looks worse than when you started.

Better alternative? Use a soft microfiber cloth, dry or slightly dampened with water. For my phone, I keep a small reusable cloth in my desk drawer, and it does the trick without scratching.

6. Scrubbing Pots and Pans

Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried scrubbing a pan with a paper towel and ended up with sad, shredded bits floating in the sink. (Both my hands are up.) Paper towels just can’t handle baked-on food or greasy pans.

Better alternative? Use a scrub brush, sponge, or reusable dish cloth. If you’re feeling fancy, bamboo scrubbing brushes last forever and don’t smell like sponges sometimes do. Your future self will thank you.

7. Anything Long-Term

Paper towels are the definition of a quick fix. They’re fine for small messes here and there, but using them long-term, like for cleaning routines, regular kitchen use, or dusting your house weekly, is a fast way to burn money.

Think about it: paper towels are single-use. You use it, toss it, and buy more. Rinse and repeat (literally). That cycle adds up. Reusable cloths, on the other hand, last for years. One NanoTowel replaces thousands of sheets of paper towels, and it cleans with just water. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather buy coffee with that money than keep feeding my paper towel addiction.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, 7 things you should never use paper towels for. Mirrors, spills, grease, dust, electronics, pots, and anything long-term are just a waste of time (and paper). Paper towels are convenient, sure, but they’re not the superhero of cleaning supplies. They’re more like that sidekick who bails when the going gets tough.

Switching to reusable cloths doesn’t just save money, it makes your life easier, your house cleaner, and hey, it’s better for the planet too. Why spend cash on endless rolls when one reusable cloth can do the job better?

Next time you reach for that roll, ask yourself: Is this really a paper towel job, or do I need something stronger? Chances are, you already know the answer. 😉