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Apaper towel is an absorbent, disposabletowel made from paper.[1] In Commonwealth English, paper towels for kitchen use are also known askitchen rolls,kitchen paper, orkitchen towels.[2] For home use, paper towels are usually sold in a roll ofperforated sheets, but some are sold in stacks of pre-cut and pre-folded layers for use inpaper-towel dispensers. Unlike cloth towels, paper towels aredisposable and intended to be used only once. Paper towels absorb water because they are loosely woven, which enables water to travel between the fibers, even against gravity (capillary effect). They have similar purposes to conventional towels, such as drying hands, wiping windows and other surfaces, dusting, and cleaning up spills. Paper towel dispensers are commonly used in toilet facilities shared by many people (such as at schools or shopping malls), as they are often considered more hygienic than hot-airhand dryers[3] or shared cloth towels.
In 1907, thePhiladelphia-basedScott Paper Company developed the first restroom tissues.[4] They started the paper towel industry when they began selling Sani-Towels and used advertising to convince the public that paper towels were essential forpersonal hygiene.[5]
In 1919,William E. Corbin, Henry Chase, and Harold Titus began experimenting with paper towels in the Research and Development building of theBrown Company inBerlin, New Hampshire.[6] By 1922,Corbin perfected their product and began mass-producing it at theCascade Mill on theBerlin/Gorham line.[7] This product was called Nibroc Paper Towels (Corbin spelled backwards[8]). In 1931, the Scott Paper Company introduced their paper towel rolls for kitchens.
Paper towels are commonly used for drying hands inpublic bathrooms. In the 21st century, however, electricjet-air dryers have threatened their dominance. While there is no clearscientific consensus over which method is morehygienic, the paper towel industry and hand dryer manufacturers such asDyson have each attempted to discredit each other by funding studies which spursensationalist headlines and running advertisements. Thepublic relations battle has also been fueled by animosity between both sides.[4][9]
Paper towels are made from either virgin orrecycledpaper pulp,[10] which is extracted from wood or fiber crops. They are sometimesbleached during the production process to lighten coloration,[11] and may also be decorated with colored images on each square (such as flowers or marketable characters).Resin size is used to improve thewet strength.[11] Paper towels are packed individually and sold as stacks, or are held on a continuous roll, and come in two distinct classes: domestic and institutional.[12] Many companies produce paper towels. Some common brand names areBounty, Seventh Generation,Scott, Viva, and Kirkland brand among many others.
Tissue products in North America, including paper towels, are divided into consumer and commercial markets, with household consumer usage accounting for approximately two thirds of total North American consumption.[12] Commercial usage, or otherwise any use outside of the household, accounts for the remaining third of North American consumption.[12] The growth in commercial use of paper towels can be attributed to the migration from folded towels (in public bathrooms, for example) toroll towel dispensers, which reduces the amount of paper towels used by each patron.[12]
Within theforest productsindustry, paper towels are a major part of the "tissue market", second only totoilet paper.[12]
Globally, Americans are the highestper capita users of paper towels in the home,[13] at approximately 24 kilograms (53 lb) yearly consumption per capita (combined consumption approximately7.8 million tonnes (7,700,000 long tons; 8,600,000 short tons) per year). This is 50% higher than in Europe and nearly 500% higher than in Latin America.[12] By contrast, people in the Middle East tend to prefer reusable cloth towels, and people in Europe tend to prefer reusablecleaning sponges.[13]
Paper towels are popular primarily among people who have disposable income, so their use is higher in wealthy countries and low in developing countries.[13]
Growing hygiene consciousness during theCOVID-19 pandemic led to a boost in paper towel market growth.[citation needed]
Paper towels are a global product with rising production and consumption.[14] Being second in tissue consumption only totoilet paper (36% vs. 45% in the U.S.), the proliferation of paper towels, which are mostly non-recyclable, has globally adverse effects on the environment.[15] However, paper towels made from recycled paper do exist, and are sold at many outlets. Some are manufactured from bamboo, which grows faster than trees.
Electrichand dryers are an alternative to using paper towels for hand drying.[16] Electric hand dryers may also spread bacteria to hands and clothing.[17][18][19]
Media related topaper towels at Wikimedia Commons