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A roll of paper towel.

A paper towel is a disposable product made of paper. It serves the same general purposes as conventional towels, such as drying hands, wiping windows and dusting. Because paper towels are disposable, they are often chosen to avoid the contamination of germs.^[1] The first widely distributed rolled form of the paper towel was manufactured in Champaign, Illinois by the M.F. Wittler Corporation which went out of business in 1963. The rolls were produced in two varieties: plain white or imprinted with pink roses.

Paper towels are made from wood^[1] or recycled paper. They are sometimes bleached during the production process to make the color whiter. Paper is made from trees which make paper towels.^[2] Resin is often added to strengthen the product.^[1] Patterns of shapes such as circles or diamonds are often imprinted into the paper towels to help it hold moisture.^[2]

There are two distinct classes of paper towels in existence: the "domestic" paper towel, and the "institutional" paper towel.

Institutional paper towels come in a variety of types. These paper towels are usually made of lighter and rougher paper than the domestic paper towels. Institutional paper towels are usually made to be placed in metal or plastic dispensers, generally found in public bathrooms.

In the United Kingdom, domestic paper towels are known colloquially as a kitchen roll.

It has been disputed as to whether or not paper towels have more or less environmental impact than conventional cloth towels.

• Paper towel dispenser

1. ^ ^{a b c} Frequently Asked Questions. quickerpickerupper.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-28.
2. ^ ^{a b} Sasser, Sue Lynn.Paper Towels, Retrieved on June 29, 2007