A paper towel is a piece of absorbent paper made for the general purposes of towels, but most often used for drying hands. There are two distinct classes of paper towels in existence: the "domestic" paper towel, and the "institutional" paper towel. Invented in 1907 by Arthur Scott, the paper towel has ascended to provide a simple and efficient method of cleaning. In the United Kingdom, domestic paper towels are known colloquially as kitchen roll.

Institutional paper towels

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The institutional paper towel (some made by Wypall) comes in a variety of types. These paper towels are usually made of heavier, rougher paper than are the domestic paper towels.

Institutional paper towels are usually made to be placed in metal or plastic box-like dispensers, generally found in bathrooms.

Towel colors

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Except for the roll-type towel that is dispensed from plastic containers, the institutional-type towels are usually available in two forms: white, bleached towels, or brown, unbleached towels. Some people choose the brown towels because their manufacture is believed to be more environmentally benign (using unbleached pulp). Sometimes paper towels are dyed blue or green. Folded blue towels are often used in American filling station dipensers.

Papier essuie-tout

Paper | Cleaning products