Why are people leaving paper towels on their kitchen floor? There's a good reason

White roll of paper towels next to yellow and white cloth on countertop
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The kitchen is probably the busiest space in my home, and I’m always trying to stay on top of it to make it look spotless. But if there’s one thing I can’t stand to see is water drops on the floor near the sink or dishwasher. Plus, it doesn’t help when your son washes his hands and shakes them.

That’s when I found out about the ‘floor paper towel’ hack online that is set to put an end to rogue splashes on the kitchen floor. Now, while it may seem like a strange idea, the paper towel trick is actually a neat idea. Here’s why.

What is the floor paper towel trick?

Paper towel on floor

Paper towel on floor (Image credit: Future)

This hack is super easy and self-explanatory: just leave a paper towel sheet on the floor by your sink area, and it will soak up any splashes or excess water. This is especially handy after someone has washed their hands or unloaded the dishwasher. Then, once this makeshift ‘mop’ has had its time, you can simply replace it with a new one if required. That way, your floors will always be dry.

My first thought was that this could be a potential health and safety hazard, especially if you have young children or pets running around. So always warn others in your household about the paper towel on the floor, and it’s best to pick it up at night before you go to bed. Also, the sight of a paper towel on the floor would ruin the aesthetics of my kitchen (priorities).

However, if you’re after a quick-fix solution, the floor paper towel hack is actually a clever way to instantly absorb excess water and save you from getting out the mop each time. What’s more, not having standing water on hard or laminate flooring will protect them from warping or bubbling up over time. However, this probably could be resolved by a waterproof mat underneath or near the sink — and probably save you money on using up paper towels in the long-run.

In any case, I'm always up for trying new tricks to make cleaning up easier, so I might well give it a go. Watch this space.


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Cynthia Lawrence
Content Editor, Homes

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. 


Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.


With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!


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