Everything You Need to Know About Paper Towel

When it comes to hygiene and convenience, paper hand towel is essential for homes and businesses alike. Whether you're outfitting a busy office washroom or mopping up food mess in your home kitchen, the right towel does more than just dry hands. The right choice of towel supports hygiene standards, minimises waste, and can even reduce operational costs when used efficiently with a compatible dispenser. This guide will walk you through the key considerations for choosing paper hand towels and help you find the right fit for your space.

Things to Consider: Ply, Absorbency & Fold Type
Eco-Friendly or Not – What Matters Most to You
Smart Uses for Paper Towels – Tips and Tricks
When NOT to Use Paper Towels
Types of Hand Towel
Why Fold Size Matters
What Paper Will Fit My Dispenser?

Things to Consider: Ply, Absorbency & Fold Type

Choosing the right towel begins with understanding ply, absorbency and folding style:

Ply: Refers to the number of layers in a sheet. 2-ply options are often thicker and more absorbent, while modern 1-ply towels can perform impressively in low- to medium-traffic areas. 2-ply towels are typically considered more premium; being thicker, they allow users an added sense of comfort and faster hand-drying. 1-ply are typically more economical and thinner, yet still a durable and viable option for price-sensitive customers.

Through‑Air‑Drying (TAD): This manufacturing method can dramatically influence performance. Towels made with the through‑air‑drying process are dried with heated air instead of being compressed between hot rollers. This preserves a more open fibre structure, resulting in softer feel, higher bulk and markedly better absorbency—often allowing a TAD 1‑ply towel to rival or even outperform a conventional 2‑ply. Because TAD towels hold more water per gram of paper, they can reduce the number of sheets users need and lower overall consumption without sacrificing strength.

Absorbency: More absorbent towels help users dry their hands with fewer sheets, reducing waste and restocking needs. Embossed or patterned towels perform better thanks to their increased surface area and liquid-holding capacity. These textured patterns help trap water within the folds and crevices, making the towel more effective at cleaning up spills.

Quick Reference Guide: 1-Ply vs 2-Ply Paper Hand Towels

Feature	1-Ply	2-Ply
Absorbency	Moderate (improved with modern tech)	High – absorbs more moisture per sheet
Strength When Wet	Good (varies by brand)	Typically stronger and more durable
Softness/Comfort	Basic to moderate	Softer and more comfortable feel
Cost	Lower cost per sheet	Higher cost, but fewer sheets often needed
Best For	High foot traffic, cost-sensitive use	Low to medium foot traffic, premium feel, user satisfaction
Dispenser Compatibility	Widely compatible	Compatible with most dispensers
Eco-Friendly Options	Widely available	Also available, but use more material

Fold Type: Impacts cost and efficiency. While there are a range of roll and centrefeed hand towel dispensers on the market, folded towel—specifically ultra slim—remain the most popular choice among Hanleys customers. Most folded paper towels are interfolded (also known as interleaved), meaning each sheet is designed to interlock with the next for smooth, one-at-a-time dispensing. This not only improves hygiene but also helps reduce waste. If you're opting for folded hand towels, it's good to be aware of the types available and the differences between them.

Z-Fold / Interfold: These towels are zig-zag folded so each one interlocks with the next. They provide true single-sheet dispensing, improving hygiene and reducing waste. Slightly higher in cost, but efficient and cost-effective over time. Ideal for high-traffic washrooms, offices, and healthcare settings
Multifold: Similar to Z-fold but with slight overlapping between towels. Designed for one-at-a-time dispensing, though some dispensers may allow multiple towels to come out. Offers a good balance between cost and performance, suitable for medium to high-traffic areas.
C-Fold: Folded into a 'C' shape and stacked on top of each other. While affordable and easy to source, they can lead to more waste as users may pull out several at once. Best suited for low-traffic or budget-conscious environments.
Single Fold (V-Fold): Simple V-shaped fold with loose stacking. These are low-cost and readily available, but often lead to higher usage and hygiene concerns due to lack of dispensing control. Ideal for basic, low-traffic situations.

Your choice here can influence not just user satisfaction but also long-term operating costs.

Eco-Friendly or Not – What Matters Most to You

Sustainability is becoming a key factor in purchasing decisions. However, it's often weighed against practical needs like cost and performance.

Eco-conscious buyers tend to prioritise:

Recycled or biodegradable materials
FSC, Green Seal or similar certifications
Reduced or plastic-free packaging
Honest, transparent labelling
Availability at regular stores or online
Strong performance in absorbency and durability
Fair price point compared to non-eco alternatives

That said, price is still the most influential factor for many. If an eco-friendly product feels too expensive or doesn’t perform as well, it’s often overlooked. Availability also plays a role—people tend to choose what's easily accessible. Clear and honest labelling is essential; consumers are increasingly wary of greenwashing, and trust plays a big role in brand loyalty.

If you are eco-minded and prefer sustainable papers, keep an eye out for the below logos of Certification, typically found on product packaging or in marketing (e.g. brochures and flyers):

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Verifies that a product is made from sustainably managed forests, contributing to the responsible use of the world’s forests.

Green Seal

Is a global non-profit organisation and an environmental certification mark indicating that a product or service meets high standards for health and environmental leadership.

Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)

A document that sets out how governments and businesses share the responsibility of managing the environmental impacts of packaging in Australia. By being a member, organisations agree to shared commitments and joint responsibility to work collaboratively to achieve sustainable packaging outcomes.

Smart Uses for Paper Towels – Tips and Tricks

Paper hand towels are more than just a hand-drying solution. Their versatility makes them an everyday essential. In the kitchen, they can be used to wrap vegetables or baked goods to keep them fresh. When dampened, they’re great for reviving stale bread or steaming food in the microwave. They can double as napkins, makeshift food wraps, or even as a quick cleaning cloth for spills and grease.

In the office, you can freshen the air by spraying air freshener on a towel and placing it near a vent. Paper towels are also handy for applying a light coat of oil to pans or cleaning cast iron cookware.

Their disposability makes them convenient for tasks where hygiene is a priority, such as wiping down shared bathroom surfaces or blotting food grease.

When NOT to Use Paper Towels

Despite their flexibility, there are situations where paper towels aren’t the best option.

Avoid for Delicate Surfaces

TV screens, eyeglasses, and mirrors are prone to scratches or lint. Use a microfibre or glass cleaning cloth instead.

Not Ideal for Heavy-Duty Cleaning

Tasks like scrubbing grease, drying large dishes, or outdoor messes are better suited to reusable cloths or sponges. Using paper towels in these scenarios can lead to excessive waste and higher long-term costs.

Plumbing Warning

Never flush paper towels—they don't break down like toilet paper and can cause plumbing issues.

Types of Hand Towel

There’s a wide variety of paper hand towels available on the market, each designed for specific dispensers and usage needs. Choosing the right type starts with understanding the dispenser you have—its size and design often determine what paper towel types are compatible. If you don’t yet have a dispenser, focus on your application: where will the towels be used, and what tasks do they need to handle? From high-traffic restrooms to kitchen prep areas, the right towel enhances hygiene, efficiency, and user experience.

Check out our guide below for some of the key differences between the most common hand towel types.

Types of Hand Towel

Type	Folded Towel Width	Dispensing Style	Key Features	Best For
Compact	5cm	Manual, interleaved (one-at-a-time)	Space-saving, narrowest folded towel	Tight spaces, light commercial use
Ultraslim	6–6.5cm	Manual, interleaved (one-at-a-time)	Most popular, medium-sized folded towel	Small washrooms or wall-mounted units
Slimline	8–8.5cm	Manual, interleaved (one-at-a-time)	Largest of folded towels, higher capacity dispenser	Offices, public restrooms
Roll Towel	–	Manual or automatic dispenser	Pull what you need, more control with sensor dispensers	Schools, industrial and commercial spaces
Centrefeed	–	Pulled from the centre of roll	High absorbency, quick-access, good for wiping hands and surfaces	Kitchens, food prep, warehouses

Why Fold Size Matters

Fold size directly affects how paper towels dispense, how many fit in a dispenser, and how much users are likely to use. Larger towels may seem more convenient but require more storage and frequent refills. Smaller, compact folds like interfold or multifold are designed for efficient one-at-a-time dispensing, reducing waste and managing usage more effectively.

Some dispensers are only compatible with specific towel sizes—often from the same manufacturer. This can limit flexibility and tie you to specific products. Before choosing a dispenser or towel type, make sure they’re compatible to avoid unexpected costs and limitations. Look for unfolded and folded size dimensions on the website product page or on the Product Information Sheet (PIS) to ensure the towel is compatible with your dispenser.

What Paper Will Fit My Dispenser?

Not all dispensers are created equal. Some are designed to work only with proprietary towel sizes, limiting your flexibility and potentially increasing costs. Before purchasing towels or a new dispenser, double-check the dimensions and fold type required. Look for standardised options like interfold, multifold, or slimline to ensure ongoing compatibility and better supply choices.

Finding the right paper hand towel can make a significant difference to hygiene, cost, and user satisfaction. Whether you prioritise sustainability, convenience, or performance, there's a towel option to match. And if you're ever unsure, the team at Hanleys is always here to help you choose what’s right for your business or home. Reach out to us via sales@hanleys.com.au or on (07) 3326 6711.