Whether you're drying your hands or cleaning up around the house, cloth towels and dish rags are the way to go. They're efficient at mopping up small spills, and come in handy for just about everything you'd need a paper towel for, and with a lot less waste.

Keep a few dish cloths readily available in the kitchen, even if it means clearing out that junk drawer to make room. Hang one from the refrigerator or oven handle, or from a decorative hook or nail placed by the sink.

Use smaller cloths for dishwashing and cleaning, and larger ones for hand and dish drying. Look for natural materials such as cotton, linen or hemp (organic if possible).

When they get dirty throw 'em in the hamper and wash them with your other household towels. No separate load needed.

Break that paper towel habit. Next time you use up the last one, recycle the cardboard roll give the cloth thing a try.

Amy says: I prefer small cotton dishrags over sponges for dishwashing and cleaning up the kitchen, and since they're washed regularly they don't have time to sit and take on that pungent, spongy smell.