Paper towels are handy to have around. They are quick to access, disposable, and relatively durable, but paper towels aren’t always the best choice for every mess. Their soft, absorbent texture makes them excellent for cleaning up spills, but they can tear easily, leave lint behind, and even damage certain surfaces.
Paper towels are the “go-to” cleaning item in many homes, but there are some surfaces that do not benefit from contact with them. Here is a list of the top fifteen items that should never be cleaned with a paper towel, as well as what to use to clean them instead.
TVs and Computer Screens
TVs and computer screens have delicate coatings that can be scratched by using paper towels. Even if you can’t see the scratches immediately, they will become visible with repeated cleanings and reduce clarity and increase glare.
Microfiber cloths also work well for screens. A light dusting is usually enough, but if you need to clean smudges or stubborn stains, dampen the cloth with distilled water or a screen-safe cleanser. Avoid cleaning products with alcohol, ammonia, or anything abrasive, which can damage screens over time.
Mirrors and Windows
Paper towels leave streaks and lint on mirrors and windows, making them appear cloudy rather than clean. They don’t absorb the glass cleaner evenly, which can result in visible streaking.
Use a microfiber cloth or squeegee and a cleaning solution of white vinegar and water to get a streak-free, cleaner finish. In a spray bottle or bucket, combine equal parts vinegar and water. If you need to remove stubborn grime, add a few drops of dish soap to your cleaning solution.
Stainless Steel Appliances
Paper towels leave lint and streaks on stainless surfaces, and they are not effective for removing finger prints and smudges. Over time, paper towels will leave tiny scratches from the abrasive fibers.
Instead, use a microfiber or soft, lint-free cloth to remove smudges without scratching the surface. Apply a small amount of stainless steel cleaner, white vinegar, or a solution of dish soap and water and finish with a dry buff until clean and streak-free.
Car Interiors
Paper towels leave lint, smudges, and streaks on surfaces like dashboards, touchscreens, and leather seats. They are also ineffective at removing dust from textured surfaces, pushing the debris around, rather than trapping it.
A microfiber cloth that traps dust is ideal for general dusting and cleaning. Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean touchscreens. The best way to clean leather seats is with a soft cloth and a specialty leather cleaner.
Dusty Surfaces
Paper towels do not capture dust particles, so dust can become airborne and settle elsewhere while you are dusting. When you dust with a paper towel, you may also leave behind lint.
Use a microfiber cloth, which attracts and holds dust rather than scattering it. Alternative dusting options include an electrostatic duster, a damp soft cloth, or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.
Wood Surfaces
Paper towels are too abrasive for wood surfaces, and they can dull delicate finishes and strip away the protective coating over time. They do not clean the surface but instead leave lint and streaks behind.
To remove fingerprints and smudges from wood surfaces, use either a dry microfiber cloth or a soft, lint-free cloth. For a deeper clean, use these with a wood-safe cleaner and wipe in the direction of the wood grain.
Cast-Iron Skillet
Never use a paper towel to clean a cast-iron skillet because lint will stick to the oily surface. Instead, use warm water, dish soap, and a sponge to clean it. If you are dealing with stubborn food residue, use a chain-mail scrubber. Rinse it thoroughly and then dry it completely with heat from a burner to ensure that all moisture is removed. Apply a small amount of vegetable oil to the surface and wipe the excess with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Electronic Keyboard
Paper towels leave small traces of lint that can get stuck between the keys of a keyboard. They are also not effective for removing debris from the tight spaces in between the keys.
Use a lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth to gently wipe the keys’ surface. For stubborn marks on the keys, use a lightly damped cloth to gently buff them out. Make sure the cloth is only just damp so that moisture doesn’t drip between the keys. To remove dust and debris from between the keys, use compressed air to blow them out.
Camera Lens
The camera lens is sensitive, and any lint or smears from paper towels will affect the quality of your photos. The abrasive fibers of paper towels will also wear down the protective layer of the lens.
Instead, use a specialized lens cleaning cloth or a microfiber cloth. If the marks are stubborn, use a small amount of lens cleaning solution. Use a lens brush or blower to remove hard-to-reach dust. Household cleaners should never be used on the lens as they will damage it.
Leather Surfaces
Paper towels are too abrasive for leather surfaces, potentially leaving small scratches that mar the finish over time. They also leave lint behind. To remove fingerprints and smudges from leather, use a microfiber cloth or a damp, lint-free cloth. For a deeper clean, apply a leather cleaner to a cloth, and wipe gently. Finish the process with a leather conditioner to keep the leather soft.
Granite and Marble Countertops
Paper towels are used throughout the kitchen and frequently on marble and granite countertops. However, paper towels are not an ideal option because they leave streaks and lint behind, making the surface appear dull. They can also cause minor surface wear over time, particularly when used with harsh cleaners.
A microfiber or other lint-free cloth is effective for trapping dust and removing spills to leave a streak-free finish. For more incentive cleaning, use these cloths with warm water and mild soap or a specialized natural stone cleaner.
Painted Walls
Paint on walls is delicate, and paper towels are too abrasive for this surface. They can wear down the paint, leaving lint and streak marks on the wall. If you scrub too hard, you might even remove some of the paint.
For light cleaning, use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth. Tough stains may require deeper cleaning with a diluted mixture of dish soap and water or wall-safe cleaner. You can also try a magic eraser, depending on the mark you are trying to remove. Test in a small area to verify that it doesn’t remove any paint.
Tile Grout Lines
Paper towels are inadequate for cleaning grout lines because they tear when rubbed against abrasive surfaces. Instead, use an old toothbrush dipped in a baking soda paste or a vinegar and water solution. For tough stains, use a grout cleaner that can lift set-in stains. Rinse with a microfiber cloth.
Velvet or Suede Surfaces
Velvet and suede have delicate fibers that can snag when they come into contact with paper towels. Paper towels are also ineffective for cleaning dirt from velvet or suede. For proper cleaning, use a soft bristled brush to lift the debris and restore the texture. To remove deeper stains, dampen the surface with a small amount of vinegar or rubbing alcohol and wipe gently with a microfiber cloth.
