Paper towels are one of those household staples that disappear surprisingly fast. You use a few to wipe the counter, another handful for a spill, a couple at dinner, and before long you’re replacing the roll.

But plenty of everyday messes don’t actually require something disposable. Frugal households often rely on washable cloths they already own or inexpensive alternatives they can use again and again.

Here are 10 inexpensive alternatives that can handle everything from wiping counters to cleaning up spills.

woman holding paper towel — Image Credit: Canva

Old Bath Towels

When bath towels fade, stain, or wear out, give them one more job before you toss them. Cut them into smaller squares and use them for spills, floors, pet messes, and other jobs where you’d normally reach for several paper towels.

Bar Towels

Bar towels are inexpensive, absorbent, and sturdy enough for everyday kitchen cleaning. Keep a stack nearby for wiping counters, drying hands, cleaning up spills, or even using as napkins at mealtime.

Old T-Shirts

Before tossing an old cotton T-shirt, cut it into manageable squares and add the pieces to your cleaning supplies. They’re especially handy for quick wipe-downs and messier jobs where you don’t want to use one of your nicer kitchen towels.

Cheap Cotton Washcloths

You don’t necessarily need a full-size towel for the little spills and splatters that happen throughout the day. A stack of inexpensive cotton washcloths can handle most of those jobs, and rougher ones are especially useful when something needs a little scrubbing.

Flour Sack Towels

Flour sack towels are lightweight, easy to rinse, and can be cut down if you’d prefer a size closer to paper towels. They’re also useful for drying dishes and other kitchen jobs, so one inexpensive stack can serve several purposes.

Swedish Dishcloths

Swedish dishcloths are a good option for anyone who likes the grab-and-wipe convenience of paper towels but wants something reusable. They’re absorbent enough for wet counters and spills, then can be washed and used repeatedly.

Old Sheets

A stained, ripped, or no-longer-needed sheet can provide a surprisingly large supply of cleaning cloths. Cut it into smaller pieces and keep a stack anywhere you regularly use paper towels for light cleaning.

Old Socks

Don’t immediately throw away the lonely socks left behind when their matches disappear. Slip one over your hand and it becomes a handy dusting cloth for blinds, baseboards, furniture, and tight spaces that can be awkward to reach with a regular rag.

Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber cloths are especially useful for mirrors, windows, stainless steel, and other surfaces where you want to wipe away fingerprints or water spots. Keep a few for those jobs instead of using paper towels every time you clean glass or polish a surface.

Worn-Out Dish Towels

Instead of throwing away kitchen towels once they become stained or shabby, move them down the cleaning hierarchy. A towel might start out drying dishes, eventually become a general cleaning rag, and finally be reserved for floors or particularly dirty jobs before you discard it.