Can this go in?Reviewed: 2025-12-27~1 min

Can paper towels go in the microwave when reheating leftovers in a shared office kitchen?

Short answer

⚠️Depends / use caution

It depends—plain, microwave-safe paper towels are usually fine for short reheats, but office policies and courtesy rules may limit their use.

Why people ask this

In a shared office kitchen, people want quick, low-mess reheats without annoying coworkers. They also worry about safety, smells, and breaking building policies. Paper towels can help control splatters, but scented or printed towels can bother sensitive coworkers. Offices may restrict paper use to reduce fire risk, odors, and mess in the communal microwave.

When it might be safe

Using a single, plain, white, microwave-safe paper towel to cover food for 1–2 minute bursts
Lightly dampening the towel to reduce scorching when reheating dry items (e.g., rice, bread) briefly
Placing the towel above food (not tightly wadded) and keeping it away from the microwave walls
Following posted office/HR guidance and staying by the microwave to monitor
Using lower power (50–70%) for saucy or fatty leftovers that heat unevenly

When it is not safe

Using printed, colored, or scented/lotioned paper towels that can off-gas and trigger sensitivities in coworkers
Running long, unattended cycles (3+ minutes) that can dry and scorch paper in a communal microwave
Tightly crumpling multiple towels, which can create hot spots and smoldering risk
Covering very oily foods for extended times, which can overheat the paper
Ignoring posted office policies that prohibit paper products in the microwave

Possible risks

Scorching or smoldering paper if overheated or used in long, high-power runs
Odors or chemical smells from scented/printed towels spreading through the office
Cross-contamination if using shared, previously handled towels from a communal stack
Residue or fibers left in the microwave, creating extra cleanup and complaints
Allergy or sensitivity reactions among coworkers to fragranced paper products

Safer alternatives

Ventilated microwave-safe cover or silicone splatter guard kept in the office kitchen
Microwave-safe glass or ceramic plate inverted as a lid, with a small vent gap
Unbleached parchment paper sheet (plain, non-waxed) for brief splatter control
Microwave-safe reusable container with a vented lid to contain odors and mess
Covering with a second microwave-safe plate to avoid disposable paper entirely

Bottom line

In an office kitchen, a plain, microwave-safe paper towel used briefly and monitored is generally fine—but follow posted policies, avoid scented/printed towels, and consider reusable covers to minimize odors, risks, and mess for coworkers.