Five creative uses for kitchen roll

It’s tall, it’s soft, and if you get it from Naked Sprout it’s brown. Kitchen roll is on hand when we need to clean up spills, wipe our hands, or give our surfaces a quick once-over. 

But that’s not all it’s good for. Today we’re looking at some alternative uses of kitchen roll, based on some questions we’ve been asked about our own super soft, sustainable, sheets. 

But before we dive into some of the more creative things kitchen roll can do, let’s take a look at a couple of things it doesn't. 

Why you shouldn’t use kitchen roll as toilet paper 
First things first; on behalf of all tissue makers, please don’t use kitchen roll as a substitute for toilet paper. We know in a pinch it might seem like a viable option, but as experts in both types of household roll, we can assure you there’s a big difference. 

Kitchen roll is designed to be absorbent like toilet paper, but it’s also designed to be much more durable. While our toilet tissue is tested for wet strength, to make sure it breaks down quickly and reliably after being flushed, we actually design our kitchen rolls with the opposite intention in mind. We don’t want kitchen rolls to degrade too quickly when they get wet, because this would make them less useful for mopping up spills. Flushing large, durable sheets of kitchen roll down the toilet is likely to cause blockages. 

And yes, before you ask, the same goes for our facial tissues! 

Be cautious with the microwave
Another important note; be cautious about putting kitchen roll in the microwave. 

While it can sometimes be used to cover food to prevent splatters, it’s crucial to ensure that the paper towel is microwave-safe. Some kitchen rolls have dyes or chemicals that can be released when heated. And of course kitchen roll is a type of paper, so it can catch fire. 

To avoid a mini bonfire in your microwave, always check the manufacturer's guidelines, make sure that any kitchen roll you do use is damp before it goes in, or opt for microwave-safe alternatives.

With those practical disclaimers out of the way, let’s move on to the fun part! Here are five creative and practical uses for kitchen roll that you might not have considered.

Paper mache
The technique of paper mache (or papier-mâché if you’re fancy) was developed in China around the second century BC. These historical paper crafters used it to make (surprisingly strong) armour, but these days you’re probably more likely to pick it up for festive crafts like piñatas or Christmas decorations. 

Paper mache can be done with various types of paper, the key thing you’re looking for is absorbancy. So glossy magazine pages are out, but kitchen roll is very much in. Tear thin strips of kitchen roll, dip it in a paste of equal parts water and PVA, and get moulding! Allow your creation to dry completely before decorating with paint or other embellishments and you’ll end up with handmade creations that are fun to make and delightful to display.

Pet bedding
We love to hear from our customers about the many ways their furry companions make use of our products. If you have small pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, or birds, kitchen roll can be an excellent addition to their bedding. It's soft, absorbent, and easily shredded by tiny paws and beaks.

We’ve recently heard from one of our customers who uses our kitchen roll as a bottom layer in her guinea pig hutch. She wanted to let us know that she was happy the sheets served as an absorbent bottom layer that didn’t fall apart when she carried the used bedding to the bin! 

Emergency coffee filtration
It’s a nightmare scenario – it's a groggy morning, you’re desperately in need of coffee, and you realise you're out of coffee filters. Before you resign yourself to a coffee-less day, reach for the kitchen roll.

Here the twin functions of kitchen roll - it’s absorbency and durability - really shine. Just fold a sheet of kitchen roll to fit into your coffee maker’s filter basket, add your coffee grounds, and brew as usual. The kitchen roll will filter out the grounds and allow the brewed coffee to seep through. 

We think Naked Sprout kitchen roll is actually ideal for this task, as it’s unbleached, food safe, and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. 

Cleaning windows
Step aside George Formby! When it comes to cleaning windows, kitchen roll is a real expert. Unlike cleaning cloths, which can leave lint and streaks, kitchen roll offers a lint-free, streak-free shine. 

Spray your favourite eco-friendly window cleaner (or a mixture of vinegar and water) on to the glass, and use a sheet of kitchen roll to wipe the window in a circular motion. For a flawless finish, use a second sheet to buff the window dry. 

Pressing flowers
Pressing flowers is a beautiful way to preserve the fleeting beauty of your favourite blooms, and using kitchen roll makes the process easy. Just select the flowers you want to press and trim them down so they’ll fit neatly in the heavy book you’re using to press (or in your flower press if you’re lucky enough to have one)

Place a couple of sheets of kitchen roll in the middle of the book or press, arrange the flowers on top, and cover them with another couple of sheets. Close the book or press, and add more weight on top if necessary. After a couple of weeks your flowers will be fully pressed and dried, and ready to decorate cards or pictures, or even incorporate into some kitchen roll paper mache! 

Conclusion
Kitchen roll, often seen as just a tool for mopping up spills, is more than ready to roll up its metaphorical sleeves and get stuck into a range of household crafts. 

From artistic endeavours like paper mache and flower pressing to practical uses like pet bedding and coffee filtering, it's as adaptable as it is absorbent. So next time you reach for a sheet of kitchen roll, remember its potential extends far beyond the kitchen counter! 

Fancy putting our unbleached, sustainable kitchen roll through its paces?