Paper towels: absorbent, dispensable cleaning materials made out of paper. The meaning is deductible from the name. Paper towels do have a similar purpose to conventional towels, the difference being that they are made of paper and, so, disposable.
In Great Britain, people refer to the paper towels meant for kitchen use as poly roll, kitchen roll, kitchen paper, and kitchen towel. Here are a few other interesting facts about paper towels, from their origin to their look.
- History:
In the early 1900s, a man named Arthur Scott first came up with the idea of paper towels. He perforated regular toilet paper into towel-sized sheets and sold them commercially. These towel-sized sheets became the first ever disposable paper towels. In 1931, Scott then introduced kitchen paper towels that were 18 inches long and 13 inches wide.
- Production:
Both virgin and recycled pulp can become paper towels. The pulp is from wood, or crops that contain fibers.
Fun fact: After cleaning and bleaching, the pulp goes into a drying cylinder also known as the Yankee dryer. This dryer dries the pulp on a roller and then scrapes the dried paper down to the desired thickness required for each sheet. During the drying process, a water-based glue sprays into the roller leaving behind thin sheets. These sheets become one of the multiple layers needed to create the paper towel.
- Absorbent Nature:
Made up of cellulose fibers found in cotton and many other plants, paper towels are some of the most common used absorbent materials.
Fun fact: The key ingredient responsible for the paper towel’s absorbent nature is actually the “sugar molecules” that combine to make up cellulose. Just like regular, edible sugar, on placing the paper towel on any liquid, say water, the water molecules rush in and cling to the cellulose fibers.
Note: Although paper towels possess sugar molecules, they are not edible, as human beings do not possess the enzymes necessary to split the cellulose molecules apart to the individual sugar molecules.
- Aesthetics:
Bleaching is how paper towels get their signature white looks, although colored paper towels came into the market over 30 years ago. Today’s paper towels carry flowery designs and prints that capture the customer’s attention.
Fun fact: The shapes and patterns printed on paper towels are not only to make them look elegant, but also to increase their absorption and usability.
Uses of Paper Towels
Paper towels are one of those inventions that have a wide range of uses. In fact, with their size, weight and packaging, they have seen a dramatic increase in how we use them today. Some of the ways that paper towels are used include:
- Wiping hands dry
- Wiping baby bottoms
- Keeping vegetables fresh
- Drying soggy bread
- Cleaning corn
- As DIY coffee filters
- Composting
- As face tissues (fragrant ones)
- Cleaning grease and grime easily
- Makeshift coasters for chilled drinks as they absorb moisture dripping from the glass, bottle, or can.
Paper towels are some of the most versatile manmade materials. Different brands are available in the market that you can choose from, and each of these brands has different absorbent properties.
Paper towels are excellent absorbent and cleaning materials. However, their use has sparked controversies concerning the garbage pollution they create. So, when you purchase paper towels, take a conscious step to opt for those made out of recycled pulp or paper.