Paper Towels

Paper towels, also known as paper hand towels, are a disposable alternative to standard cloth hand towels and are important in maintaining high hygiene standards in all washrooms and industrial environments. Paper towels are available in a range of formats, including rolls and individual sheets, sizes, ply and lengths. Our paper towels include major brands such as Kimberly Clark and Tork, recognized for the quality of their paper towel ranges.

How Does a Paper Towel Work?

Paper towels/paper hand towels are absorbent, soaking up liquid to dry hands or clean spillages and excess. The towels are loosely woven, which allows fluid to travel between the fibers and is absorbed into the towel without damaging its integrity and preventing them from breaking up.

What are Paper Towels Used For?

• Drying hands
• Cleaning up spills
• Dusting
• Surface/glass cleaning

Paper towels can be used with or without a paper towel dispenser. However, it is more economical and environmentally-friendly when hand towels are used with a dispenser as there is more control over the number of hand towels dispensed. This reduces waste and prevents paper towels being used excessively. It is also more hygienic, as unused towels will remain dry until they are dispensed.

Types of Paper Hand Towels

When choosing paper hand towels, it's helpful to understand the different types available.

C-fold Paper Towel

C-fold towels are folded in a “C” shape so that each paper towel is tucked into the next in a stack. Users pull one towel at a time, helping reduce waste and improve hygiene. Because of this interlocking design, they fit well in many standard wall dispensers.

Multifold Paper Towel

Multifold (or Z-fold) paper towels are folded in a zigzag or “Z” pattern, allowing them to be dispensed one at a time. This design ensures the next towel protrudes slightly, making it easy to grab. Multifold towels are especially common in high-traffic restrooms due to their efficient dispensing.

Bamboo Paper Towel

Bamboo paper towels are made from fast-growing bamboo fibers instead of traditional wood pulp. They are prized for their renewability, strength (even when wet), and lower environmental impact. Many facilities now offer bamboo options to appeal to eco-conscious users.

Hardwound Paper Towel

Hardwound paper towels come as dense, perforated rolls (rather than sheets). Because the roll is “hard-wound,” it resists unraveling and can last longer before needing replacement. This type is often used in industrial, workshop, or heavily used public washroom settings.

Folded Paper Towel

“Folded” is a general category referring to any towel that is pre-creased (excluding roll format), such as single fold, tri-fold, or quarter fold. These are convenient when space is limited and when you want controlled dispensation. In many cases, folded paper towels are variants of C-fold or multifold styles.

Roll Paper Towel

Roll towels are continuous rolls with perforations. They’re often used in kitchens, larger restrooms, or back-of-house areas. Some roll towels are center-pull (you pull from the center of the box) to reduce waste, while others are edge-pull.

Recycled Paper Towel

Recycled paper towels are made from recycled fibers. While their texture and strength may differ slightly from virgin fiber options, they offer an environmentally friendly alternative. Many buyers combine recycled towels with other types (such as rolls or folded towels) in the same facility to balance cost, performance, and sustainability.

Industrial Paper Towel

Industrial paper towels are heavy-duty sheets or rolls with high absorbency, strength and durability, designed for demanding environments (e.g. factories, garages, workshops). They resist tearing and hold up under tougher use. Often, industrial towels may also come in hardwound or roll formats.

Industrial Applications of Paper Towels

Apart from household use, paper towels find vital roles in many industries. Below are some of the common industrial sectors that rely on paper towels.

Healthcare Industry

In hospitals, clinics, and dental offices, paper towels are essential for infection control. Because they are single-use, they reduce the risk of cross-contamination more than reusable towels. They are used for drying hands, cleaning surfaces, wiping instruments, and handling spill-overs.

Food Service and Hospitality

Restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, and catering services rely on paper towels for both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. They are used for cleaning tables, wiping spills, maintaining kitchen surfaces, and hand-drying in restrooms to maintain hygiene and avoid the risk of cross-contamination.

Automotive and Repair Workshops

In automotive factories, repair shops, and maintenance garages, paper towels serve heavy-duty functions. They are used to wipe off oil, grease, lubricants and to clean hands and tools.

Manufacturing and Industrial Plants

In larger industrial processes, such as manufacturing, assembly lines, and machine-shop environments, paper towels are used to clean machinery, remove cooling fluids, wipe down surfaces, and deal with unexpected spills.

Janitorial and Sanitation Services

Many industries contract janitorial services or have in-house sanitation teams that require paper towels for general cleaning, restroom maintenance, and surface wiping.

Laboratories and Research Facilities

Laboratories (chemical, biological, pharmaceutical, etc.) frequently need paper towels for handling spills, cleaning equipment, wiping lenses or glassware, and even for hand drying.

Paper Towels Manufacturer, Supplier & Distributor in Australia

As a trusted manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of paper towels in Australia, RS offers quality solutions for homes, businesses, and industries. We provide paper towels from leading brands such as Tork, SCOTT, and KLEENEX, ensuring reliable performance, hygiene, and bulk availability to meet diverse customer needs across commercial and industrial environments. Along with paper towels, we also offer other useful products like safety ear plugs, measuring tapes, and more.

For full details about our delivery options and fees, please refer to our delivery information page.