Thinking about switching to unpaper towels? It’s easier than you might expect, and you can make a set of reusable paper towels from fabric scraps in about 15 minutes.
I switched to unpaper towels in 2018 and it turned out to be far simpler to maintain than I anticipated. Here’s how it happened.
One morning I suddenly felt uneasy about how many paper towels our family was using. Something clicked: reducing or eliminating paper towel use at home was a small, practical step toward producing less waste.
I mentioned it to Jeff and tucked the paper towels we already had under the sink for the weekend, just to test whether we could do without them.
Paper towels are convenient and we were used to reaching for them for everything—from cleaning spills to wiping Hayes’ face after meals—so I wondered if we could really make the change.
We tried it that weekend and never went back. It was honestly much easier than I expected to make the swap.
A big reason it worked was that we already had plenty of dishcloths on hand. But if you don’t have enough dishcloths, you can quickly make reusable paper towels from fabric scraps—no extra shopping required.
Although we call them “paper towels,” these are entirely fabric—made from leftover scraps to reduce waste even further and get you started immediately.
There are two versions: a sewn version and a no-sew version. Both are quick and simple—choose the method that suits you best.
Some tutorials show unpaper towels snapped together into a roll to fit on a paper towel holder. For this project I prefer the most straightforward, functional approach—simple squares or rectangles that are easy to make and use. If you like the snap-roll idea, there are tutorials for that too.
Reusable Paper Towels DIY Materials Needed
- fabric scraps*
- thread, pins and a sewing machine (for a no-sew option, use hemming tape)
- scissors
- iron and ruler
*Old terry hand towels, cotton or flannel t-shirts, or other absorbent scraps make excellent towels for larger spills. If you don’t have highly absorbent fabric, use whatever scraps you have—something that can absorb liquids at least a little will work.
I chose linen for one side of a few towels to balance absorbency and provide a smooth side for cleaning glass. The main point is to use available materials rather than buying new fabric—this saves money and reduces waste.
How to Make Reusable Paper Towels (Sewn version)
1. Measure and cut
Cut two matching pieces of fabric. A good starting size is 10” x 15”, but you can use different dimensions if that suits your scraps—10” squares also work well.
2. Pin and sew
Place the two pieces face to face and pin around the edges. Sew around the perimeter about 1/4” from the edge, leaving a small gap to turn the towel right side out.
3. Trim the corners
Trim the corners diagonally so the corners will lie flat after turning the towel right side out.
4. Turn and finish
Flip the towel right side out, press the edges with an iron, and sew the opening closed. Stitch as close to the edge as possible for a neat finish. You can also hand-stitch the opening for a cleaner look.
Additional ideas
I sewed two straight lines about an inch in from the top and bottom on one towel to keep the layers from shifting in the wash or during use—this is optional but helpful. Commenters have suggested adding a buttonhole or a small loop of string to hang the cloth, which also increases convenience and encourages regular use.
Instructions for No-Sew Reusable Paper Towels
1. Measure and cut fabric scraps
Measure and cut two matching pieces of fabric—again, 10” x 15” is a good size but any matching pair will work.
2. Cut hemming tape to size
Cut strips of hemming tape for three sides of the towel. Place the two pieces face to face, positioning the tape along the edges where you will seal them.
3. Iron and bond the sides
Follow the hemming tape instructions: typically you apply heat, press, and let cool so the layers adhere. Bond three sides and leave a short side open for turning.
4. Turn and press
Trim the corners, turn the towel right side out, and press the edges flat with an iron.
5. Close the final edge
Fold in the open edge and apply hemming tape to seal it, then iron and allow the towel to cool fully before using.
That’s it—simple and fast.
After several uses you can toss them in the laundry. I usually reuse a towel a few times, rinsing it in hot water (and a bit of dish soap if needed) between heavy uses, then wash them with a full load.
FAQ on Unpaper Towels
Why switch to unpaper towels?
There are a few clear reasons. First, reducing single-use items helps the environment, and replacing disposable paper towels with reusable cloths is an easy place to start. Second, switching saves money: the average family spends about $180–$250 per year on paper towels, so using reusable towels can reduce that expense substantially over time.
Be mindful of water use when laundering reusable towels. Having a larger stash reduces how often you need to run loads of laundry, which helps conserve water.
How long do reusable paper towels last?
I’ve been using some of the same sewn unpaper towels for years and they still work well. No-sew versions may not hold up as long because the bonded edges can weaken with repeated wash cycles, but sewn towels are durable and last quite a while.
Is switching to unpaper towels difficult?
Not at all. For our family of three it was easy—partly because we made the reusable towels accessible. Keeping plenty on hand made the transition much more sustainable.
How many unpaper towels do I need?
I keep more than 40 reusable towels (a mix of DIY and store-bought) for all household needs. That may sound like a lot, but having a large supply means fewer laundry runs and less risk of running out, which makes the habit stick long term. I store them in a kitchen drawer so they’re handy but out of the way.
Do you use these as napkins for meals as well?
Yes. We use unpaper towels for meals, wiping hands and faces, and then reuse them for cleaning if they aren’t too dirty. If they are soiled, we rinse them and add them to the laundry basket.
How do I clean reusable paper towels?
Wash them with your regular laundry. I typically reuse each towel several times before washing. For spills or tabletop messes I rinse them with hot water and a bit of dish soap before reusing to extend their usefulness through the day.
Another tip
Keep one or two towels dedicated for drying hands, hung on a cabinet handle or near the sink. Having a designated drying cloth next to the sink makes them easy to remember and reach.
How to Make Reusable Paper Towels with Fabric Scraps
Brittni
Ingredients
- fabric scraps*
- thread pins and a sewing machine (for a no-sew option, use hemming tape)
- scissors
- iron and ruler
Instructions
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Measure and cut two matching pieces of fabric (10” x 15” is a good size).
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Place the pieces face to face, pin the edges, and sew around leaving a small gap to turn inside out.
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Trim the corners so they will lie flat after turning.
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Turn the towel right side out, press, and sew or hand-stitch the opening closed.
Notes
Sewing by Casey Harper
Will you try this DIY? I’d love to hear what you think of reusable paper towels.
Looking for more eco-friendly ideas? Try a natural dish scrubber tutorial that’s compostable and easy to make.