It may seem like paper towels are a kitchen necessity that have been around forever, but in truth they were first introduced in the early 1930s by Arthur Scott of the Scott Paper Co. who decided one day to perforate toilet paper into sheet-sized portions and sell them. A whole new industry was born. Today’s paper towels all boast their extreme absorbability and toughness, but they’re all essentially the same thing – loosely woven layers of paper pulp that seemingly defy the laws of gravity by sucking liquids upward. While you mull that marvel, here are four modern-day brands of paper towels we recommend for the home, kitchen and office.
Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels
You’d have to be born on the Moon to not recognize Bounty’s omnipresent monicker – “the quicker picker-up.” Keep your home stocked with Bounty and relax knowing that 100 percent of the pulp used to make their towels is from responsibly managed forests.
Presto! Flex-a-Size Paper Towels
Clever name aside, there’s no magic involved with Presto towels. They’re up to 75 percent more absorbent than competing 1-ply brands and are made of responsibly sourced materials.
Brawny Tear-A-Square Paper Towels
I use paper towels for practically everything in my house: as napkins during dinner, tissues during cold season, packing material and – oh yeah, as paper towels. That’s why I’m fully on board with these “tear-a-square” rolls. These two-ply rolls do the work of twice as many one-ply rolls, so this 16-pack will have you covered.
Scott Essential Multifold Paper Towels
As a seasoned veteran of 30 years in the office world, I feel a natural attachment to these pre-folded paper towels from Scott, which usually are perched above every workplace sink. Awaiting the next runny nose or coffee spill, these gems can be found stuffed in half my desk’s drawers. Why? Because a regular roll of paper towels won’t fit there. Simple genius, I say.
