For the longest time, I thought paper towels were useful for one thing: wiping up spills. If something tipped over in the kitchen or a drink left a mess on the counter, I’d grab a sheet or two and toss them in the trash.
After a while, I started finding other little uses for them around the house. They came in handy for everything from keeping produce fresh to packing dishes and freshening up shoes. Some of these tricks have saved me from buying extra household supplies, while others have just made everyday chores a little easier.
I now keep a roll of Bounty paper towels in the kitchen and a few other places around the house. Here are 13 ways I use them that have nothing to do with wiping up spills.
1. Start Seeds at Home
When I want to check whether old seeds are still good, I use a damp paper towel instead of planting them all at once. I place the seeds between the folded layers, slip the towel into a sealed plastic bag, and leave it somewhere warm until they begin to sprout.
Once the seeds have germinated, I can transfer them into soil. It’s a handy trick to try before planting an entire vegetable seed starter kit.
2. Make a Temporary Coffee Filter
Running out of coffee filters first thing in the morning is never fun. A clean paper towel can serve as a temporary replacement in a drip coffee maker when there’s nothing else available.
I fold it to fit the filter basket, add my ground coffee, and brew as usual. It’s not something I’d recommend doing every day, but it can save a morning when the coffee filters are gone.
Related: Things You Can Do With Coffee Filters Besides Brewing Coffee
3. Make Disposable Cleaning Pads
For small floor messes, I sometimes use paper towels in place of disposable mop pads. I fold a couple of sheets and attach them to my sweeper to pick up dust, crumbs, and bits of dirt.
It’s particularly useful with a Swiffer sweeper mop when I only need to clean one small area. I can throw the towels away afterward without having to wash another cleaning cloth.
4. Stop Oil Bottles From Dripping
Oil bottles can leave greasy rings on kitchen counters and inside cabinets. To prevent this, I wrap a small piece of paper towel around the neck of the bottle and hold it in place with a rubber band.
The towel catches the oil that runs down the sides after pouring. I’ve used this trick with a glass olive oil dispenser, and it saves me from having to wipe down the bottle’s storage spot so often.
5. Wipe Down Cast Iron Pans
After cooking, I sometimes use a paper towel to wipe leftover food and excess oil out of my cast iron skillet. It’s a quick way to remove loose residue before putting the pan away.
For a pan that only needs a light cleanup, this may be enough. If there’s stuck-on food or heavier residue, I’ll give it a proper wash and dry it thoroughly before storing it.
6. Freshen Up Shoes
Shoes can develop unpleasant odors after being worn all day. One little trick I’ve tried is putting a few drops of essential oil on a folded paper towel and leaving it inside the shoes overnight.
Tea tree essential oil is one option, but lavender or another favorite scent can work too. I remove the towel in the morning and let the shoes air out before wearing them again.
7. Protect Small Items When Packing
When I’m packing up dishes, decorations, or other household items, paper towels can serve as a quick substitute for packing paper. I wrap smaller pieces in several layers before placing them inside a box.
They provide a little cushioning and help prevent items from rubbing against each other. For expensive glassware or anything particularly fragile, I’d still use bubble wrap or proper packing materials.
8. Keep Microwave Splatter Under Control
Cleaning dried food off the inside of a microwave is one of those chores I’d rather avoid. To cut down on the mess, I loosely cover food with a microwave-safe paper towel before heating it.
The towel catches some of the splatters that would otherwise end up on the walls and ceiling of the microwave. I always check the paper towel’s packaging for microwave-use instructions and keep it away from heating elements.
9. Drain Excess Grease From Fried Foods
After frying something, I place a few sheets of paper towel on a plate and set the cooked food on top. The towels absorb some of the excess oil before the food makes it to the table.
This works well for things like fried potatoes, chicken, and other foods cooked in oil. I also like using a nonstick frying pan because it can make cooking and cleanup a little easier.
10. Help Keep Produce Fresh
Too much moisture inside food storage containers can cause produce to spoil sooner. I’ve found that placing a dry paper towel inside a container with leafy greens or other produce helps absorb some of that excess moisture.
I also use this trick in refrigerator drawers and produce storage containers. Once the towel becomes damp, I replace it with a fresh one.
11. Help Wet Shoes Dry Faster
Wet sneakers can take a long time to dry, especially after they’ve been washed. I sometimes wrap the outside with paper towels and tuck a few more sheets inside to soak up some of the moisture.
For white canvas sneakers, this can be particularly useful after cleaning them. I leave the shoes in a well-ventilated area and replace the towels once they’re soaked through.
12. Add a Fresh Scent to Drawers and Closets
If a drawer or closet starts smelling stale, a paper towel can make a quick homemade scent sachet. I put a few drops of lavender essential oil on a folded sheet and tuck it into an out-of-the-way corner.
It’s an inexpensive way to add a light scent without buying another product. Just keep the scented towel away from clothing and surfaces it could stain, and replace it once the fragrance fades.
13. Water Small Houseplants While You’re Away
If I’m leaving home for a couple of days, I’ve used paper towels to help keep smaller houseplants from drying out. I place one end of a folded or rolled paper towel in a container of water and rest the other end in the plant’s soil.
The towel acts like a simple wick, drawing water toward the soil as it dries. I usually place the container in a plant watering tray to catch any stray drips, and I test the setup before leaving to see whether it’s providing the right amount of moisture.
This isn’t a substitute for a proper watering system during a long vacation, but it can be useful for a short trip.
