Can You Compost Paper Towels? Use Swedish Dishcloths Instead

Can you compost paper towels? Yes, you can compost paper towels, but only under certain conditions.

If the paper towel is unbleached, chemical-free, and hasn’t been used with grease or harsh cleaners, it’s usually safe to compost. But once it’s soaked in oils, meat residue, or cleaning products, it becomes a problem for your compost pile.

Most paper towels are made from wood pulp, but additives like bleach, dyes on synthetic fibers and prevent them from composting properly. You can try a better, sustainable alternative: Swedish dishcloths. They are 100% compostable and break down easily. 

We’ll explore which paper towels are compostable, when they’re not, and why switching to Swedish dishcloths might be the better long-term choice.

Can You Compost Paper Towels?

Yes, you can compost paper towels. They are made from natural materials like wood fibers and pulp. Because of this, they break down easily in compost, just like leaves or cardboard. When paper towels are placed in the right conditions, they slowly decompose and turn into nutrient-rich soil, also known as compost.

Paper towels are a carbon-rich “brown” material in a compost system. These browns are essential because they help balance out “green” materials, like food scraps or grass clippings. 

With the right mix of air, moisture, and heat, the brown and green materials break down over time. They eventually turn into healthy compost for your garden.

However, not all paper towels are compostable. This depends on what the towel was used for. Some may have been used to clean up grease, oil, or harsh chemicals. These substances can harm the compost or slow down the process. So, just because it’s made of paper doesn’t always mean it’s safe to compost.

A paper towel is compostable when it has only been used to clean up things like water, dry hands, or wipe small food messes. These kinds of towels won’t harm the compost and will break down like other natural waste.

Which Paper Towels Can Be Composted? 

Composting paper towels is an easy way to reduce waste, but it only works if they are clean and safe. You need to use the right kind of towels to do it right. Here are some types that are usually okay to compost:

Paper towels used for drying hands are compostable. As they only absorb water from your skin, they do not harm the composition. The towel does not contain food particles, grease, or cleaning products, so it’s safe for compost.

If you clean food and spills that are not greasy, oily, or heavily sauced, paper towels remain compostable. The spills don’t contain fats or chemicals that would interfere with the composting process. However, it should not be composted if the towel has absorbed oil, butter, or thick sauces.

When paper towels are used to clean plant-based items, they can be composted. If the spill comes from plant milk, brewed tea, mashed fruits, or steamed vegetables, the towel can safely go into compost. These natural substances break down easily, so they won’t harm the composting process.

Paper towels used for wiping water are also compostable. They are used for wiping spilled drinking water, melted ice, or similar messes that don’t contain any food or chemicals. As the spills leave no residue, the towel stays free of anything that could harm compost.

Unused or slightly used paper towels are perfectly safe to compost. As they haven’t been exposed to food, liquids, or chemicals, nothing on them could harm the compost. They break down just like any other clean, paper-based material. This makes them an easy choice for your compost pile.

When Shouldn’t You Compost Paper Towels? 

While some paper towels are compostable, others can do more harm than good. If a towel has absorbed anything toxic, greasy, or unsanitary, it can contaminate your compost pile. Here are the times when you shouldn’t compost paper towels:

Paper towels used for cleaning chemicals are not compostable. They absorb substances like bleach, disinfectants, or all-purpose cleaners that contain harsh ingredients. These chemicals can kill the helpful microbes needed for composting and may leave toxins in the finished compost.

When paper towels are used for cleaning chemicals like bleach or disinfectants, they are not compostable. These chemicals contain harmful substances that don’t break down safely in compost. They can also kill the good microbes that help with decomposition in finished compost.

Towels soaked with grease or oil should not go into compost. Fats don’t break down easily and can block airflow in the pile. It slows down the composting process. They also produce strong smells that attract pests and make the compost harder to manage.

Materials used to clean dairy or animal products should be kept out of compost. Items like milk, cheese, meat juices, or eggs can grow bacteria and create unpleasant odors. These conditions can make the compost unsafe and attract pests to the pile.

Towels that have absorbed paint, glue, or other synthetic substances. So they should never be composted. These products contain chemicals that don’t break down naturally and can contaminate the compost. When added to the pile, they may leave behind harmful residues that make the compost unsafe.

Anything used to clean up pet waste or bodily fluids doesn’t belong in compost. These materials can contain pathogens that don’t fully break down, especially in low-heat home compost systems. Adding them can cause unsafe compost that could spread harmful bacteria to your garden.

100% Compostable Alternative: Swedish Dishcloth

Paper towels are made for single use cleaning tasks. After one use, you have to throw it straight into the trash. Some of the paper towels are not even compostable. As a result, they end up in landfill waste.

And it’s a concerning issue, as it’s estimated that 7% of total landfills are paper products. These towels are also expensive, as each paper towel needs to be replaced after each use, the expense also adds up quickly.

Swedish dishcloths are a smarter and more eco-friendly alternative to paper towels. They are made from natural materials that are 100% compostable. It’s not only compostable, but you can use it for up to 100 uses. Which is equivalent to replacing 17 rolls of paper towels. It saves you the costs of buying countless paper towels and you can compost it naturally in your garden. 

How to Compost Swedish Dishcloths at Home

Swedish dishcloths are made from natural cotton and cellulose, so they break down easily in home compost systems. But to make sure they compost properly and quickly, it's best to follow a few simple steps.

Step 1: Cut the dishcloth into smaller strips or chunks. This helps it break down faster in compost by giving microbes more surface area to act on during decomposition.

Step 2: Make sure it’s clean before composting. Check if it has grease, chemical residue, or heavy food waste. If used with mild soap, rinse it well and let it dry before adding it to the compost.

Step 3: Place the dishcloth pieces in the center of your compost pile, where the heat and microbial activity are strongest. Swedish dishcloths are a “brown” or carbon-rich material, so balance them with fresh food scraps or other “greens.”

Step 4: Keep the compost balanced and make sure it stays damp. Good airflow and the right moisture level help the dishcloths break down properly, along with other organic matter.

Step 5: Swedish dishcloths usually take a few months to decompose, so let them break down thoroughly before using. Once your compost looks dark and crumbly, it’s ready to use in your garden.

Paper Towels vs. Swedish Dishcloth

Swedish dishcloths are made from plant-based fibers like cotton and cellulose. They are 100% compostable, as long as they are free from chemicals or oils. Paper towels are compostable, too, but only if they haven’t been exposed to chemical cleaners or non-organic waste.

A Swedish dishcloth can be used up to 100 washes before breaking down. It makes them ideal for long-term use in the kitchen. On the other hand, paper towels can only be used once. So, you have to take another paper towel every time, and it adds more waste to the trash or landfill.

Paper towels are used once, then thrown away, so you must keep buying more. Over time, that costs more money. A Swedish dishcloth lasts much longer and can replace up to 16 rolls of paper towels. In the long run, it’s the smarter choice.

Paper towels can be used for cleaning light messes or for quick cleanups. They tear up easily and are not ideal for repeated use. Swedish dishcloths are strong enough to handle daily cleaning tasks. You can use them for wiping counters, washing dishes, and scrubbing surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Composting paper towels can be confusing, especially with many types and uses. Here are some common questions people ask when trying to compost safely and reduce waste at home.

Are all paper towels compostable?

Not all paper towels are compostable. Only plain, unbleached towels without added dyes, fragrances, or chemicals are safe to compost. Towels used with grease, cleaners, or food waste may harm your compost and should be thrown away instead. Always check what the towel was used for before composting.

How long do paper towels take to break down in compost?

Paper towels usually take 2 to 4 weeks to break down in a compost pile, depending on moisture, heat, and airflow. Shredding them first can help speed up the process.

Can composting paper towels cause odor problems?

Composting clean paper towels usually doesn’t cause odor problems. Bad smells happen when towels are soaked with grease, dairy, or chemicals. To avoid this, only compost paper towels with water or mild, food-safe messes. 

What paper towels should not be composted?

Avoid composting paper towels that have been used with cleaning chemicals, grease, oils, dairy, or meat. Also, skip any towels that are bleached, printed with colored ink, or made with synthetic materials. These can harm compost quality and slow down decomposition.

Can I compost paper towels with grease on them?

No, paper towels with grease or oil should not be composted. Grease can slow down the composting process and attract pests. It also disrupts the balance of your compost pile, especially in home compost systems without high heat.

Final Thoughts

Paper towels are compostable, but not all paper towels can be composted. When used with grease, food waste, or harsh cleaners, they’re no longer safe for compost. This makes composting paper towels a bit confusing, whether to compost or not.

Instead of using these single used paper towels, just switch to Swedish dishcloths. They are reusable, fully compostable and made from natural materials.

You can wash a Swedish dishcloth up to 100 times and compost it when it wears out. It’s an easier, cleaner, and smarter way to reduce waste in your home.