Paper towels or cloth?

Paper. Well, I have a dog who pees on the floor. I have always had dogs who peed on the floor, so I can't live without paper towels. Also, I a very particular about paper towels -- I only like Viva. They are soft and cloth-like, so I can use them to polish furniture and boots.

Both, depending upon the task. I bring a couple of small hand towels to dry my hands off after washing during the day at work. We have a tendency to waste a great deal of paper towels on a day-to-day basis without even thinking about it! At home I use cloth and recycled paper towels. For greasy or potentially contaminating messes I'll use the paper ones and cloth for the rest.

Cloth. I use a new cloth dish towel every day. I don't like to use so many disposable towels. It's a pain to use so many cloth towels, but it's worth it. I get spills up with sponges, but only paper if it's a really big spill.

Environment Aside?. I may sound fanatical, but I find it difficult to put the environment aside since it is one of the most, if not the most important issue that we face in the world. If you are going to use paper towels, at least get recycled ones.

cloth. We use cloth diapers, so of course we use mostly cloth towels. We do have paper towels but rarely use them (definitely use for cat puke!) I try to avoid using them because I worry about the waste. I use crocheted cloths for doing dishes as well. I used to buy sponges and throw them out after while but now that I've discovered crocheted cloths, I'm not going back! I don't have to throw anything away and they work just as well.

Do We Have the Same Friend?. I have a friend who will only use paper towels for the same reasons. However, I use cloth because I like the feel of cloth versus paper, and I feel I am saving money as well as the environment.

Environmental Issues aside?  What other issues are there? 

Personally I feel that using paper over cloth is wasteful and unnecessary - sure for pet wee (and kid wee - I have a toddler!!) and other nasties, its nice to be able to just wipe it up and throw paper towels in the rubbish - but its wasteful, expensive and environmentally a no-no!

I have plenty of cloths and generally only use them once before washing them.  If I'm worried about them being germy or smelly, I soak them in baking soda and tea tree oil.

You can, appparently, also sterilise damp kitchen cloths and sponges by throwing them into the microwave for  a couple of minutes.   

If you find that you just can't forgo the convenience of paper towels, be careful which brand you choose.  Kimberly-Clark (makers of Viva paper towels) have the worst environmental performance of any of 'The Tissue Giants' according to a report by the WWF!  (Read about it here) 

Paper towels actually have traces of formaldehyde in them so there is a health concern in addition to the wasting trees concern. I have some on hand but sparingly use them, mostly to clean windows and mirrors, although a squeegy works well too. Use sponges for cleaning up kitchen and bathroom messes, and pop them in your dishwasher after use. I have kitchen towels to wipe my hands or clean up an improptu mess and they get laundered weekly.

I have a large collection of cloth napkins that double as wipe ups for counter top spills.

For floor spills, we use rags.  Rinse out, let dry and wash.