Paper towels are nothing short of a kitchen countertop staple. Their convenience and ease of use are why Americans happily spend $5.7 billion on them per year. Unfortunately, our love of paper towels comes at a cost to the planet.

Paper towels may be handy, but they create a lot of waste, contribute to deforestation, and require a great deal of water to produce. (One ton requires 20,000 gallons of water alone!) Luckily, there’s a way to keep your kitchen mess-free, all while protecting the environment. The next time you need a paper towel, reach for a Wishcloth™ instead.

Shop: Joy Wishcloth ($8.99), Shine Bright Wishcloth ($8.99)

The Wishcloth—a Brightly-exclusive product—is the latest addition to the Brightly Shop this month. It may look like a greeting card: You can write a note, pop it in an envelope, and give it to your recipient. Only instead of winding up in a landfill after they read it, the eco-friendly swap doubles as a reusable, washable cellulose dishcloth.

A single Wishcloth can replace 17 rolls of paper towels—that’s how tough they are against messes. Even better, if you need to clean it, you simply handwash it and dry it on a dish rack, or wash it in your dishwasher or washing machine. (Just don’t tumble dry!)

Whether you’re gifting a Wishcloth to a friend or buying one for yourself, here’s exactly how to use it.

How to Use a Wishcloth

1. Write a message on the back of the Wishcloth with a permanent marker and give it as a greeting card. Or, keep it for yourself.

2. To use it as a paper towel alternative dishcloth, run it under water. Then, use it just like you would a paper towel. Only this time, you can use it over and over again.

3. To clean the Wishcloth, handwash it and dry on a dish rack, or wash it in your dishwasher or washing machine. If you use a washing machine, don’t tumble dry. Instead, lay it out to dry.

4. When your Wishcloth is used up (each replaces 17 rolls of paper towels!), simply compost it.

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