Paper towels have many uses at home. In 2026, we use them at every opportunity. They are also useful for draining excess fat from dishes, wiping dust or wet dishes.
However, it is not always worth reaching for them. Wiping your mirror, glasses or TV with paper towels is a terrible ideaand this is only a small part of the surfaces that are not recommended to be cleaned with them. It’s better to know about it so as to cause irreparable damage to yourself.
Paper towels work well for quickly absorbing spills, but It is better not to clean delicate surfaces with them, because they may be damaged. It is usually better to use a soft microfiber cloth to care for them, possibly sponges and .
It is also not a good idea to rub them on the screens of most electronic devices (smartphones, TVs or monitors).because they may damage or scratch the delicate screen coating, leaving streaks and fibers on it.
A rough kitchen towel can also damage the surface of glasses and dull the surface of furniture: varnished, granite or marble.
In addition, it is better to avoid wiping delicate glass, crystals and mirrors with such material. The streaks will be even larger and the fibers accumulated on them will be difficult to remove.
Some people clean carpets with paper towels to try to get rid of stains, but it doesn’t make sense. because then it tears and leaves remnants in the fibers. It is also not recommended for leather furniture, because such paper may damage the texture of the material.
Throwing paper towels in is a common mistake. Don’t do this because unlike toilet paper, they are designed in such a way that they do not dissolve in water.
After all, it is not without reason that they absorb moisture and remain intact. If you throw them down the toilet, you can clog your pipes… And then an expensive visit from a plumber may be necessary.
Actually, where you should throw away your used paper towel depends on what you’re cleaning with it. Usually though the safest way is to put it in the black mixed waste bin, not the blue one for paperas some people think.
The exception is when the paper is composted and you only use it to clean up food waste. Then it is permissible to use a BIO waste container (brown bin). Remember, however, that then there cannot be even a drop of chemicals on it.
