When it comes to cleaning our kitchen, we all have our trusted tools and products to get the job done. I certainly cannot live without my supply of microfiber cloths to quickly mop up spills, stains and wipe down countertops.
However, there’s been much debate (in the 'cleantok' community) about whether paper towels are actually better for cleaning countertop than dish cloths. Perhaps the most obvious benefit of paper towels are that they’re disposable, quick to use, and more hygienic. On the other hand, cloths are more absorbent, washable, and sustainable. And while each one serves a different purpose, which one is more effective at cleaning?
To settle this old-age debate, we called on the experts to give us their verdict on which is better for cleaning: paper towels or dish clothes? Here’s what they say.
Paper towels: pros and cons
Essentially, paper towels are absorbent sheets made from compressed paper, often from wood pulp, and are disposable. There are various ply thickness and absorbency strengths available on the market.
These are convenient for quick, single-use tasks like soaking up spills and drying surfaces. Additionally, these are great for cleaning surfaces and tend to be more hygienic than dish rags that have been used multiple times.
However, paper towels are not designed to trap dust or dirt and tend to tear when wet — meaning you'll end up using more. Plus, due to its disposable nature, this is a less eco-friendly option, and will need replacing often, which can be costly.
Dish cloths: pros and cons
Dish or microfiber cloths are made from ultra-fine synthetic fibres, usually a blend of polyester and polyamide (nylon). Such fibers are designed to easily trap dust, grime, and moisture (rather than just spreading them around).
Additionally, microfiber cloths are washable and reusable, making them more eco-friendly and less wasteful compared to paper towels. The only downside is the risk of releasing micro-plastics when washed. But this can be avoided by using a microfiber wash bag in your machine.
Paper towels vs. dish cloths — which is better for your kitchen?
So the big question is which one is better for cleaning your countertops? And it seems that our cleaning experts all agree on one winner.
"If we're choosing the lesser of two evils, I'd choose fresh dish cloths over paper towels every day of the week," states Adriana Aziz, Operations Manager at Maid for You.
"While paper towels can be effective at cleaning up spills in the kitchen, they're not the best for efficiency and effectiveness when cleaning an entire home. This is for a multitude of reasons, but the main reason is that it is awfully wasteful. One fresh dish cloth can do the work of a whole roll of paper towels."
Isabella Flores, Cleaning Specialist/Professional Organizer at Sparkly Maid, also agrees that cloth is better for whole-home cleaning. "First, they pick up dust and debris instead of moving it around," she says. "Second, they produce very little lint and last longer than many other types of cloths, and finally, they'll leave a streak-free finish on most surfaces, including glass, stainless steel, and polished wood. Cotton cloths are great for soaking up large amounts of liquid and for drying dishes. Unfortunately, they produce a lot of lint and leave streaks and tend to fall apart quickly after repeated washing. That said, you can pair cotton cloths with microfiber cloths."
For more top tips, check out these surprising ways a microfiber cloth can be used around the home. Plus, if you're ever wondering, here's why microfiber cloths come in different colors.
When should you be using paper towels
Despite microfiber cloths winning hands-down for best at deep cleaning countertops, there are certain messes where it's necessary to use paper towels (over cloths).
"Paper towels are often better for cleaning the kitchen when you're dealing with food prep messes, especially raw meat or eggs," states Olivia Parks, Owner of My Professional Organizer Northshore.
"This is because they're single-use and can be thrown away, so they reduce the risk of bacteria being spread across kitchen surfaces." In addition, opt for 2- or 3-ply, soft, non-abrasive paper towels, which tend to have higher absorbency and are better for most kitchen surfaces.
In any case, paper towels (and our runner-up) will always serve its purpose of conveniently tackling fresh messes, and will be a firm favorite in our kitchens for a long while.
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