In this article, we will take a closer examination of both alternatives. We will compare them in terms of eco-friendliness, convenience, value, cleanliness, and overall performance so that you can make the best choice possible for your lifestyle and for your home.
Bamboo kitchen rolls are a more environmentally friendly option to use over standard paper towels. Instead of being constructed from virgin wood pulp, they’re produced from bamboo, a fast-growing crop that grows without fertilisers and minimal water.
They’re typically:
One of the main benefits of bamboo kitchen rolls is that they’re as easy to use as standard paper towels, but with a much lower carbon footprint.
Reusable cloths are constructed of a very broad range of materials from organic cotton and bamboo fibres through to microfibre and upcycled. They’re constructed to be washed and reused over and over again, often for months and even years, with a bit of care.
Reusable cloths are handy for any form of day-to-day activity:
Both items do it here, but differently.
Bamboo kitchen rolls reduce deforestation since bamboo will grow back at a rate of up to 30 times that of wood. Bamboo is also biodegradable and often packaged in plastic-free packaging, so they are a low-waste disposable product.
Reusable cloths, at least, are moving in the right direction. Because you can use them again and again, they actually are a big help towards single-use waste. Even if you are using a thrifty bamboo kitchen roll, a cloth will get as much done as hundreds of sheets during its lifespan.
We should discuss hygiene, as it is very important for washing kitchen countertops and sanitising food spills.
Their single-use, disposable bamboo kitchen rolls remove the possibility of cross-contamination. Particularly beneficial for cleaning up after children or pets, or for handling raw meat juices.
Reusable cloths that are new and have never been washed or used may possibly carry bacteria. A few to have on hand, hot-washed from time to time, is an idea worth considering. Some people do not find this too much hassle.
They cost more in the short term. A good pack will set you back £10–£20. But they last months, sometimes years, and save you money in the long term.
Bamboo kitchen rolls are less expensive per pack but also disposable. While you can get a couple of sheets reused a couple of times (brand dependent), they will need replacing eventually. In the long term, that does mount up.
This gets a little subjective.
Bamboo kitchen rolls are just as simple to use as regular paper towels. Use it, then tear it off and throw it away (preferably in the compost bin). No additional consideration or work is necessary.
Reusable cloths must be cleaned, dried, and stored. If you’re not in the habit, it can be annoying to constantly check whether you’ve got clean ones ready to go, especially during a busy week.
That said, many people develop a system that works: keep a basket for used clothes and run them through with your weekly towels wash.
So, how are these two options doing in real-life use in the kitchen?
Here’s a quick summary on what each does best:
Task
Bamboo Kitchen Rolls
Reusable Cloths
✅ Absorbent, disposable
✅ High absorbency, washable
✅ Sanitary, throw away after use
⚠️ Need to sanitise after use
✅ Convenient
✅ Great with eco-cleaner
⚠️ Leaves fibre deposits
✅ Streak-free finish
⚠️ Not absorbent enough
✅ Does the job well, gentle
Both are useful, depending on the task; most of us will find it more useful to have both on hand.
Biodegradable and compostable, bamboo kitchen rolls (hopefully they are not just sitting in filthy chemicals or grease). They break down much quicker than paper towels.
Reusable cloths don’t have to be compostable, use- and material-dependent. Compostable are natural fibre cloths made of bamboo or cotton, if a replacement is necessary, but not man-made microfibre cloths.
When you buy bamboo products from a firm such as Tiboo, you know you’re not only acquiring a paper towel substitute. Their dedication to sustainability begins with product materials and goes on through packaging, shipping, and educating consumers.
It doesn’t matter where you shop. If you choose the reusable cloths or disposables that are made of bamboo, always look at how much information the company provides about its environmental responsibility.
It is way better than shopping for an “eco-warrior” product with little reality to the ad.
Considering the options of bamboo kitchen rolls and reusable towels, I find it difficult to pick a single out of the two. Both options have their pros and cons. It depends on the values and lifestyle of a family.
Choose Bamboo Kitchen Rolls if:
Choose Reusable Cloths if:
Best of Both Worlds:
Both are commonly utilised in a great many environmentally friendly homes. Reusable cleaning cloths for daily use and drying, and bamboo kitchen rolls for messier or less frequent tasks that need an instant fix clean.
A Small Step Towards a Greener Kitchen
It does not need to be intimidating to transition over to sustainable alternatives. Start with whatever is a good starting point, even if that’s simply switching out the next roll of paper towels with a bamboo alternative or having some cloths on hand in the sink.
Every little thing within your home adds up to a world good. So bamboo, linen, or a combination of the two, every little bit helps.
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