Last Updated on June 5, 2026 by Deliciously Organic Editor
Replacing paper towels and napkins with cloth is an economical way to eliminate waste in the kitchen.
Almost 10 years ago, we gave up paper and purchased two dozen cloth napkins and about ten dish towels. The cost of an average paper towel roll is $1.30 and most families will go through at least one roll a week. That’s $67.60 a year just for paper towels! Napkins are a bit cheaper and average around $.02 per napkin. If you have a family of four and you each use three napkins per day, that equals $87.62 a year. So, if you replace cloth with paper, in 5 years you’ll save around $776.00. Over time, it really adds up!
I’ve always been a fan of slow and steady changes in the kitchen to avoid getting overwhelmed. To get started, I recommend purchasing twelve cloth napkins to start and just throwing them in the wash along with your other laundry. Then, you can make the transition to removing the paper towels by purchasing a few dish cloths. I tend to prefer white cloth napkins because you can bleach them if they get dirty. We’ve used some of our cloth napkins for at least 10 years now, so you can expect to get your money’s worth!
You can feel like a bit odd at first when you’re used to grabbing a paper towel for a spill or a mess on the counter, but you’ll get used to it over time and start reaching for a dish cloth instead.
Here are some great choices for cloth napkins and dishtowels to replace the paper variety:
Cotton 20×20 craft napkins
12-pack of 20×20 100% Flax Napkins
24-pack Cotton Bar Towels
Pottery Barn Cotton Napkin set (I really like thier cotton napkins and will wait until they have a sale to purchase. 🙂
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Carrie…You mentioned bleaching napkins/towels. Do you use a natural bleach alternative?
Yes, I like to use the Oxygen Booster from Branch Basics or a non-chlorine bleach.
I always check yard sales and thrift stores for cloth napkins since many people only use them for decorative place settings. I have gotten many new or gently used napkins for $0.25 each or less.
I feel wasteful when I use paper towels but cloth ones don’t feel as absorbent. At least the ones I have. What’s the most absorbent cloth out there?
I use reusable paper towels made by GenerationMe on easy. They are two-ply cotton. I chose white as well so I can can bleach as needed 🙂 Just another idea…I feel they are very absorbent. My friend uses a fleece for her reusable paper towels that she made and is happy with that as well. Sometimes just washing cloth a few times makes them more absorbent and make sure to not use a fabric softener as that can repel absorption. Not sure if I answered your question, but hope I helped some!
R these like the flour sack towels I see?
Carrie, I was able to listen to your “Reduce Inflammation” webinar. I tried typing in the code for the Paleo book, but I was unable to. Is it still possible to get it? I apologize for writing here, but I didn’t know what other way to contact you. Thank you.
Contact us at: info@deliciouslyorganic.net and we can look into it for you. Thanks!
I switched over to cloth as well. Draining bacon and cleaning up spilled fish oil are the 2 things I haven’t been able to figure out a non-paper towel solution for….any ideas?
For bacon: I use a cooling rack over a sheet pan to bake it in the oven. No draining necessary. I bake, let it cool, them move to a storage container. Pour the grease into a jar to save for later and wash the pan and rack. Done!
Now fish anything would be tough..
I have a few very thin tea towels that I use for draining bacon and such. They are completely stained, but then again, they are for draining oils and such! 🙂
Many years ago when feeding our large family I replaced napkins with washcloths. Great at the table for lips, hand OS spills and so much easier to launder and put away; less expensive to buy too.
Mighty Nest products are made in China. No thank you. I buy made in America as much as possible.
Some of the Mighty Nest products are made outside of the country, but not all. These 100% cotton napkins are all handmade in the US.
I’ll check them out. Thanks.
Carrie, I bought two copies of the Grain-Free cookbook (from Amazon). Can I still get the free 3-month menu?
“So, if you replace cloth with paper, in 5 years you’ll save around $776.00. ”
You need to subtract the cost of your cloth napkins to find out the actual savings.
I like the Mighty Nest napkins. World Market has good cloth napkins, too.
I purchase my napkins at estate sales. You can get them very cheap and many times they have never been used.
Great idea!