15 New Uses For Paper Towels That Go Beyond Cleaning Spills

Whether you’re cooking breakfast for a crowd, prepping snacks for the big game, or getting ready to host the holidays, messes are inevitable. Paper towels are typically the go-to for quick clean-ups because they expertly mop up spills and are easily tossed afterward, but the absorbent sheets are even more versatile than you may think. Common uses for paper towels range from wiping down countertops after cooking to blotting grease from bacon, but some of the more imaginative ways to use disposable towels around the house may surprise you.

Make DIY Wet Wipes

Out of classic wet wipes or disinfecting cloths? Paper towels can easily be transformed into a homemade version. Moisten the disposable sheets with water and a gentle cleaning agent like Dawn dish soap, then use the DIY wet wipes to clean countertops or messy faces.

Keep Vegetables Crisp

A great example of uses for paper towels beyond cleaning messes is wrapping the disposable sheets around vegetables to keep them fresh and crisp in the refrigerator. Swathe greens, herbs, and other veggies in damp paper towels to retain moisture levels and keep the produce from wilting. This helps prolong the shelf life of the food, maximizing the flavor and quality of the vegetables.

Reduce Food Waste

Another handy way to keep your produce fresh for as long as possible is to line your refrigerator's crisper drawer with paper towels. The sheets will absorb excess moisture, which will prevent your fruits and veggies spoiling quickly.

Fashion A DIY Coffee Filter

Have you ever gone to make a pot of coffee only to realize you forgot to pick up coffee filters at the grocery store? Next time, don't fret too much—instead, use a paper towel as an emergency filter in a pinch. Simply fold the paper towel to fit your coffee maker, add your grounds and water, and brew.

Clean A Stained Food Storage Container

If you’ve saved leftover tomato sauce or chili con carne in a plastic storage container, you know how easily they can get stained. To remove the ghost of marinara past, fill the container with warm water, a few drops of dish soap, and a single torn-up paper towel. Put the lid on the container, give it a good shake, and rinse.

Protect Pots And Pans

If you stack your pots and pans in a drawer or cabinet, you may notice your cookware becoming scratched over time. Prevent damage to nonstick finishes by using paper towels as a protective layer between pots and pans. The cushioning will keep your cookware in great condition and encourage you to keep your kitchen storage organized.

Make Homemade Dryer Sheets

One of our favorite uses for paper towels is a clever laundry hack. Skip the store-bought dryer sheets and add a few drops of your favorite perfume or essential oil onto a paper towel. Toss it into the dryer with your clothes to achieve similar results to commercial dryer sheets, but for a fraction of the cost and with a signature scent.

Freshen Shoes

The next time your stinky sneakers and overworked sock shoes need freshening, fight those unpleasant odors with paper towels. Add a few drops of essential oil (peppermint works wonders) to paper towels, crumple them up, and tuck them inside your shoes. Leave them overnight for footwear that smells much fresher in the morning.

Enhance The Freshness Of Frozen Bread

When thawing frozen bread, it's unfortunately common for the loaf to become soggy as it reaches room temperature. Prevent this from happening by placing a paper towel inside the bread bag to absorb the excess moisture. The hack works for all types of bread but is especially helpful for loaves that don't include preservatives, like homemade and artisanal breads.

Soften Brown Sugar

If you desperately need a Brown Sugar Cranberry Poundcake but the brown sugar in your pantry could double as a brick, you'll find this trick one of the best uses for paper towels. Put the brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl and cover the container with a damp paper towel. Microwave the bowl for 20 seconds—your brown sugar should be much softer thanks to the moisture in the paper towel (and if not, add a little more water to the disposable sheet and zap again).

Clean Your Sewing Machine

After you tune up your sewing machine, stray oil may be lurking around. To ensure it doesn’t get on your next sewing project, try this handy paper towel trick: Thread the sewing machine as usual, and instead of immediately stitching on fabric, grab a paper towel and stitch a few lines. That should absorb any residual grease so you can safely resume sewing projects without staining your fabric with oil.

Stop Microwave Messes

The next time you reheat fried rice or mac and cheese, keep your microwave clean by placing a slightly damp paper towel over the container. This should prevent messy splatters and eliminate the need to scrub off pesky dried food stains.

Hold Cutting Boards In Place

Some cutting boards are quite slick on top of counters, which is both unsafe and inconvenient when chopping food. To keep boards from sliding around while you're wielding a knife, place a damp paper towel underneath your chopping block.

Maintain Can Opener Blades

Can openers often become gunked up and rusty after prolonged use, but you can extend the life of your kitchen tool with a simple paper towel hack. Every time you use your can opener, wipe the blades down with a disposable sheet before you put it away again. In addition to preventing buildup, you'll also avoid cross-contamination between foods.

Remove Wax From Carpets

One of the more unexpected uses for paper towels is a hack for getting candle wax out of carpet. Grab an iron and two paper towels, then fold the disposable sheets. Lay them over the hardened wax on the carpet, wait for the iron to preheat, then press and hold it atop the paper towels for a minute or two. The heat will melt the wax and transfer it to the paper towels, leaving your carpet clean.