Replacing Paper Towels Without Making Life Harder
Paper towels are one of those things most of us don’t think twice about. They’re convenient, they work, and they disappear into the trash without much reflection. They’re also one of the fastest ways to generate constant household waste.
I didn’t set out to overhaul how I clean. I just wanted a better option that didn’t feel like a downgrade.
That’s how I ended up testing unpaper towels from Marley’s Monsters.
What Are Unpaper Towels?
Unpaper towels are reusable cloth towels designed to replace disposable paper towels for everyday tasks. They’re sized similarly, easy to grab, and meant to be washed and reused over and over.
Marley’s Monsters makes them in cotton flannel and cotton terry, which means they’re absorbent, durable, and don’t feel precious. They’re meant to be used, not babied.
Why I Tried Them
Paper towels were one of those habits I kept defaulting to out of convenience. Spills, counter wipe-downs, quick cleanups. I wasn’t interested in switching unless the replacement worked just as well.
I wanted something that:
Could handle real messes
Didn’t require special care
A direct replacement
These checked all three boxes.
How They Replace Paper Towels in Real Life
Here’s where they’ve fully replaced disposables in my house:
Wiping down kitchen and bathroom counters
Cleaning up spills
Drying produce
Quick appliance wipe-downs
Everyday messes
Removing handprints on mirrors and glass doors
They’re absorbent enough to handle liquid spills and sturdy enough to scrub without falling apart. When they’re dirty, they go straight into the laundry with everything else.
No soaking. No special detergent. No extra steps.
What I Like
They work. This is non-negotiable.
They’re always there. No more realizing you’re out of paper towels at the worst time.
They reduce waste immediately. One swap, constant impact.
They don’t feel precious. They’re meant to get dirty.
This feels like a true replacement, not a compromise.
A few honest notes:
You still might want paper towels on hand for very specific situations. This doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.
It takes a day or two to build the habit of grabbing cloth instead of disposable.
You’ll want enough on hand so you’re not left high and dry if you haven’t done laundry. A starter bundle helps. I have a set upstairs and downstairs.
None of this feels like a drastic change. It just takes a little adjustment.
Less waste without sacrificing performance
No lifestyle overhaul required. It’s one small switch that quietly adds up over time.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to stop using paper towels forever to make a difference. You just need a better default.
Unpaper towels from Marley’s Monsters have become one of those easy, repeatable swaps I don’t think about anymore. They work, they last, and they make everyday cleaning feel a little more intentional without adding friction.
That’s the goal.
