Like most items on our grocery bills, the price of paper towels continues to rise. You can cut costs by buying them in bulk, but even then we’re talking upwards of $40 for a 12-pack. At the rate most people go through paper towels, it can really add up.
Rags and reusable “paper” towels are a more environmentally friendly alternative, but regular paper towels still come in handy for certain things. When there’s a big spill, using full-size paper towels — likely more than one or two — can mop it up quickly. But when there’s a small spill or you want to use a paper towel as a napkin, even tearable paper towels can feel too big and wasteful.
If you’re a paper towel household and constantly find yourself either ripping paper towels in half to waste less or using a whole one when all you really need is a small portion, this money-saving paper towel hack is for you.
The hack, originally introduced by Instagrammer and hack expert LORAfied, consists of using a sharp knife to cut a roll of paper towels in half. With less surface area, the goal is to waste fewer paper towels. It’s a simple solution that can help your paper towels go twice as far.
Here’s How It’s Done
Grab a long, sharp knife and place a roll of paper towels horizontally on a cutting board. Carefully cut the roll in half down the middle. The halves might fray and shred a bit, so if that happens, you might want to try a different knife. But even with a little fraying, the hack will still be successful.
Once the paper towel roll is cut in half, place the two halves on your paper towel holder. If you have an upright, freestanding paper towel holder, stack the two halves on top of each other. A horizontal paper towel holder will work the same way, but the halves will sit next to each other.
Then, the next time you need a napkin or want to wipe up a small spill, grab a half-size paper towel. You’ll save money and waste less — a win-win.
