The fiber of a paper towel is cellulose fibers.
Paper towels are made up of cellulose fibers, which also make up cotton, wood, and most other plants.
These cellulose fibers are actually giant molecules that consist of many small molecules linked together.
To stop using so many paper towels have some other cloth rags around and easily available.
Cloth rags can be washed over and over again which saves you money and saves on having to have so many paper towels around.
To cut down on the waste and cost of paper towels, you can switch to reusable 'unpaper' towels, cotton dish cloths, or even reusable rolls.
You can go further and also avoid using paper towels in your cleaning or while traveling.
While paper towels generally have a small carbon footprint—about 0.06 lbs of carbon dioxide each—collectively they are contributing to deforestation, global warming, and an ever-increasing waste problem.
Other tips to stop using so many paper towels include.
Simply stop buying them.
Make a bunch of cloth towels.
Have a separate laundry hamper for your rags.
Invest in natural cleaning sprays that you like.
Keep sponges on hand.
Don't use nice tea towels or dish towels that you care about.
Get used to doing more laundry.
You can microwave shop towels.
Shop towels can be used in the microwave to cover food with and they will be just fine as long as you keep an eye on the food cooking in the microwave so the shop towels don't burn.
If the microwave is left on too long the shop towels or any other paper towels could burn.
But when used for short amounts of time in the microwave the shop towels or any other paper towels will be just fine.
Almost all paper towels are safe to be used in the microwave.
Paper towels are generally used in microwaves to cover food items or as a plate liner to absorb excess moisture.
Paper towels, wax paper, parchment paper, paper plates and bowls are fine in the microwave.
Brown paper bags are never safe in the microwave because they can't withstand a lot of heat and can catch fire.
Why did my paper towel catch fire in the microwave?
Microwave ovens produce microwaves which cause the molecules in your food, drink and yes your paper towels to vibrate which creates heat.
However, when the paper towel is folded or scrunched up this heat can build up enough to set the paper towel on fire.