You can eliminate the cost of paper towels by using old cotton t-shirts for those messes. If you're a neat freak, you can cut them to a rectangular shape. You can wash the t-shirts in hot water and bleach to make them refreshed for use. Most will last for 25+ years even when washed weekly.
You'll find it quickly to clean up messes because you can absorb quicker, scrub harder and rinse out and re-use quickly.