Discover the Top 7 Amazing Fun Facts About Paper Towels: Secrets Unveiled!
1. From Nose Blowers to Spill Saviors
Before folks conquered the art of the "tug and tear," they were blowing their noses in style: Paper towels were first created in 1907 by the Scott Paper Company as disposable tissues to help prevent the spread of colds in restrooms. It wasn't until 1931 that paper towel rolls rolled into kitchens, sealing their fate as the ultimate tool for wiping spills, dabs, and dribbles. As paper towels continue to hold their reign as the second most popular consumer tissue product, Americans find themselves crowned as the royals of paper towel consumption. Still, as the trees of the world shake their branches in weepy disapproval, worry not, for eco-friendly options such as recycled paper and speedy bamboo have swooped in to save the day.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
2. The Costly Love Affair with Paper Towels
Ready for a "tear-able" reality? We're not talking about breakups or sad movies, but rather the price we've paid for our love affair with disposable paper towels: In 2017, the United States spent a staggering $5.7 billion on these single-use tree-turned-absorbent squares, contributing to deforestation and waste. Opting for reusable paper towels could be the small change that saves our beloved forests, one sheet at a time.
Source => sustainablejungle.com
Did you know aloe was once the secret weapon against unwanted bottom troubles? Discover the fascinating story of Joseph Gayetty and his medicated toilet paper that left a lasting impact on bottom care!
=> Fun Facts about Toilet-Paper
3. Nibroc: The First Wet-Strength Paper Towel
Once upon a dispenser, there was a noble hero who managed to take a roll on the wild side and tame the wild paper towel beast, unveiling its true purpose in our so-called civilized world: In the 1920s, W.E. Corbin of the Brown Paper Company invented the first wet-strength paper towel, called Nibroc—a clever backward spelling of his last name—and it grew so popular that the brown paper towels were incorporated into wall-mounted metal cabinets, becoming one of the most recognizable paper products in the United States.
Source => northernwoodlands.org
4. Paper Towels vs. Air Dryers: The Preferred Battle
In the epic battle of man versus machine, the humble paper towel stands victorious over the mighty air dryer: A Cintas Corporation survey revealed that a whopping 69% of Americans prefer to use paper towels in public restrooms, as they offer quicker and more effective hand-drying, and reduce the risk of pesky bacteria blown around by air dryers. Ladies and 35-44-year-olds express an even higher allegiance to the trusty paper towel, using it as their shield to conquer germs on dreaded restroom door handles.
Source => businesswire.com
5. Plot Twist: Compostable Paper Towels
Ready for a paper towel plot twist in your compost bin? Those humble kitchen sidekicks aren't just good for mopping up spills and smudge emergencies: They can be composted to reduce landfill waste, as long as they're free of harmful chemicals and aren't soaked in grease or oil. Add them to your compost pile with other plant-based materials and witness your carbon footprint shrink, while also nourishing your compost mix and trimming your disposal expenses. Just remember to keep that compost stirred and aerated for a decomposing blockbuster!
Source => go-compost.com
6. Thirsty Towels: Paper Towels' Water Consumption
Thirsty towels, anyone? It turns out that when it comes to paper towels, it's not just spills they're sipping on; they've got a penchant for the Earth's agua, too: In a surprising turn of events, it has been revealed that it takes an astonishing 3 gallons of water to produce one single sheet of paper towel. Multiply that by the average American's annual consumption of 145 rolls, and we're suddenly face to face with a rather soaking realization of the precious resource required to create our disposable cleaning companions.
Source => tiny-waste.com
7. Two-Ply to the Hygiene Rescue
Next time you're caught between a sheet and a hot air, remember: two-ply to the rescue! When it comes to hand-drying hygiene, paper towels outperform their more technologically advanced counterparts – even in the game of "germ tag": Studies show that paper towels not only dry hands efficiently but also remove bacteria effectively, making them the go-to choice in hygiene-centric locations like hospitals and clinics to avoid an airborne bacterial blitz.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov