Mod Apron

Oh snap! I nearly forgot!

Way back in the olden days (or “April 19th, 2012” as I like to call it), I promised you a review of the Trader Joe’s Kitchen Cloths that I bought. 

I was looking for a reusable, washable, durable paper towel substitute. I needed a solution for those clean-up jobs that were too yucky for a dishtowel but too clean for a rag (think: something like wiping up spilled baby rice cereal). Did the TJ’s Kitchen Cloths do the job?

The verdict: Yes. I think they’re pretty great!

When I first used them straight out of the package, I had my doubts. They’re very stiff and not all that absorbent at first. But, after one wash, they softened right up and worked beautifully. Those little towels are just as thirsty as the package promised. 

I have six Kitchen Cloths and I think this is a good number. Occasionally, they’ll all be in the wash, but that doesn’t happen often enough to merit the purchase of an extra package. Best of all, I haven’t bought a single paper towel since and I haven’t missed them at all!

I recommend the Trader Joe’s Kitchen Cloths wholeheartedly. Just make sure to throw them in the washer and dryer at least once prior to first use. 

We gave up using paper towels about a month ago.

Seemed like a radical idea with two little kids in the house (one of whom still spits up all the time), but I was determined to make it work. Up until recently, however, I hadn’t really found a good replacement for the paper towel concept; I found myself needing something for those little jobs that are dirtier than something I’d use a dishtowel for, yet cleaner than something I’d use a rag for. I really needed something to cover that middle ground of messes. Oh, the dilemma.

The other day, I stumbled upon these “Kitchen Cloths” at Trader Joe’s and they seemed like the perfect solution. Absorbent? Check. Washable/dry-able/reusable/durable? Check. Fun colors? Check. It even says “Replaces Paper Towels” right on the package! Even at the whopping price of $3.99 per package of 2, I couldn’t resist. So I bought some. 3 packages (for a total of 6 kitchen cloths), to be exact.

I’m excited to try them out, but I must admit I’m skeptical. They certainly weren’t a bargain, but then again, Trader Joe’s rarely disappoints. So my weary heart harbors hope, deep down, that for just under $12, I’ll never have to buy a paper towel again.

Will update on this in a month or so to let you all know how it’s going!