01 Aug 2025 8 Things You Should Never Clean with a Paper Towel — And What to Use Instead
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Key Takeaways:
- Paper towels are convenient, but not ideal for use on delicate surfaces—they leave lint and scratches.
- Don’t use paper towels on electronic screens, wood, glass, jewelry, or other delicate materials.
- Using a lint-free, washable, cotton or microfiber towel saves money, reduces landfill waste, and protects surfaces.
Paper towels are popular for their convenience in cleaning up messes, absorbency, and versatility.
However, paper towels are not an inexpensive single-use cleaning tool, they produce a lot of waste, and are not the best choice for cleaning every surface. Made from wood pulp, the fibers can scratch delicate surfaces and leave lint behind.
Here are eight things you should never clean with a paper towel, and what cleaning tool you should be using instead.
Electronic Screens
A paper towel leaves lint and minute scratches on electronic screens like televisions, laptops, and cell phones. If used repeatedly, there can be permanent etching on the screen.
What to use instead: The best cleaning cloth for screens is a microfiber cloth designed specifically for electronics. The cloth should be clean and can be used alone or with a safe cleaning solution. When cleaning, do not apply excessive pressure, which can damage components within the screen.