What do you use kitchen paper for?

In many homes, paper towels are an everyday helper - they are brought out in the kitchen when something spills or when table surfaces need a quick wipe. Sometimes they are used to dry hands or even clean windows. But have you ever stopped to think about how often paper towels are actually used - and could they be replaced with something more sustainable?

For us, the question arose when yet another pack of paper towels ran out and we needed to get a new one. Eco Arkiliinat (Eco Sheet Towels) became an alternative for everyday life.

The good thing about paper towels is... convenience?

There's no denying it, paper towels are easy and quick. You use them once and throw them away. But that's exactly the problem: they are disposable. And even if you choose an option made from recycled fibers, the production and disposal of paper still burden the environment.

Often, for one, slightly larger, stain, many sheets are used (especially if children are learning to clean up after themselves :) ) and at the end of the day, a pile of paper balls lies in the bio or mixed waste bin. And paper towels are not free - the rolls disappear surprisingly quickly and you have to carry them home regularly (a calculation of the concrete financial savings in everyday life below).

What about Eco Arkiliina (Eco Sheet Towel)?

Eco Arkiliina is a washable, reusable, and long-lasting alternative to paper towels. It serves the same purpose: wiping stains, kitchen cleaning, drying spills, and dusting... you name it, but one big thing distinguishes it from paper towels - it doesn't go in the trash. It could even be called a paperless paper towel. I noticed in our everyday life that when children wiped their mouths with paper towels during meals, it was one wipe and the paper went into the trash. The same Eco Arkiliina, on the other hand, was used for the next meal as well. To my surprise, these haven't gone missing (I rescued one from the trash at the very beginning when we started using them), 12 pieces have been more than enough for us, for several days, in a family of four. These also dry really quickly, so the towels can be put back into use quickly after washing :)

When the towel gets dirty, we throw it into a designated basket from which they are then put in the wash with regular laundry (Note! Do not use fabric softener with these, as it significantly affects absorbency - and we don't want that). Arkiliinat can withstand machine washing and prolonged use, and they do not lose their effectiveness with washes (it has been researched that arkiliinat are at their best only after 8-10 washes!). One towel can therefore replace even hundreds of sheets of paper towels over the course of a year.

Practicality vs. sustainability?

You might be wondering if a washable cloth is too much trouble. But if the washing machine is running anyway in everyday life, adding a few cloths won't feel like anything. And when the cloths are beautiful, durable, and pleasant to use, they quickly become part of everyday routines.

Our Eco Arkiliinat are now used in the kitchen, in baby everyday life (they work very well when moistened for wiping the baby's mouth and hands because they are soft on the skin), etc. for cleaning messes. They are also, apparently (according to my husband), the best for cleaning/drying glasses because they don't shed lint! Paper towels are still on the shelf, but their use has decreased to a fraction of what it used to be. They are no longer the primary option but a backup.

Here are a few proven tips for using sheet towels:

1. Roll the towels onto a paper towel holder for convenient use (this takes about 2 minutes).
2. Keep the towels visible and easily accessible. Place paper towels in a less visible or "hidden" spot.
3. Have a clear designated place for used towels (e.g., a fabric basket on the table or wall) where they are put and from where they can then be easily tossed into the wash all at once.
4. Keep a pre-rolled set ready for use as a spare (if possible).
5. Use a laundry bag for the sheet towels so they don't get mixed with other laundry and from which they are easy and quick to hang to dry.

👉🏻 An instructional video for rolling the towels can be found on the product page.

What about the financial savings: Arkiliinat vs. paper towels?

I have calculated paper towel consumption for a 4-person family and estimated my own usage (before arkiliinat).

Paper towels used approximately 3 rolls per week = 52 weeks x 3 = 156 rolls/year (average price of one roll €0.75 or even €1.30 for ecological/premium options)

so paper towel usage cost us €117/year (€0.75 x 156)

Arkiliinat 12 pcs -> Price: €23 (Maallinen Design)

Change/wash: 2x / week → 8 washes / month → washed with other laundry, so washing costs are €0. The price of Arkiliinat per year is €23/set.

Arkiliinat are not only a sensible choice for the environment but also a financially significant change.

Finally: a small choice, a big impact

Sustainable everyday life doesn't require perfection, but small choices - repetitive actions that together create change. Eco Arkiliina is one of them. It makes everyday life softer for the environment, your wallet, and your conscience.

Where do you use paper towels at your place? How would it feel to try something else?

👉🏻 read more about sheet towels and check out Maallinen's sheet towel selection -> here