Cloth vs. paper

[onthebeach]

Does anyone use cloth napkins that you wash opposed to paper napkins.....is it really worth doing?

Thoughts please

[purplemoon2008]

Eeks..nope. Probably should, huh? I only whip them out for holidays. I put the paper napkins in my compost bin, so I don't feel too terribly guilty:~)

[jtjohns]

Eeks..nope. Probably should, huh? I only whip them out for holidays. I put the paper napkins in my compost bin, so I don't feel too terribly guilty:~)

Same here... the handful of times each year that we use cloth napkins it's just such a pain to spot-treat stains before washing them and iron them before putting them away again. It's more work than I'm willing to do on a regular basis. Using recycled paper napkins and composting them afterwards works for me.

I know that some people use kitchen towels or terry washcloths as napkins to avoid ironing...

~JJ

[ocean_brez]

I have been wanting to replace our paper napkins with cloth napkins, but haven't done so yet. The reasoning being, and a lame one at that, that DH is still not on the bandwagon after all of this time, with my efforts of following the 3 R's. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Although I love DH, he is a waster and for the sake of our marriage, I let it go at that and try to do my own part along with the kids.

[spiderdust]

Ironing? Spot treating? I don't do that with my cloth napkins!

I started out with a bunch of clearanced cloth napkins at Target, but you could get a bunch of bandanas in a color or pattern that you like and use them as cloth napkins. Toss them in the hamper when they're dirty, wash them with the rest of the laundry, dry, fold... that's all you really need for the everyday ones.

Honestly, if it was difficult, we would have gone back to paper... these are really easy.

[knittingintheround]

Ironing? Spot treating? I don't do that with my cloth napkins!

Hee! Yep, same here--I have cotton napkins--just toss in with regular wash and fold and throw in a basket when they are dry. I don't worry about spots or stains. When we do have company, I break out the nicer ones, but I don't really worry about it too much.

[DarbyL]

I think cloth napkins are worth it and once they are built into the laundry routine, it just becomes second nature. I grew up with cloth napkins - nothing fancy unless it was a special holiday. We use them a couple of times - or less if it's a particularly messy meal - and just toss them in the wash. We have about 12 napkins for in-home use and the kids have about six older napkins to choose from for their school lunches (and picnics) - the kind that I don't mind if they don't make it home again. I bought the current set of napkins eight years ago for about $4 at Ocean State Job Lot - about the same as a pack of paper napkins at the grocery store. Local thrift stores usually have an ecclectic mix of napkins for cheap, too. A bonus: if you have younger kids, it helps them learn how to fold and determine left and right on a place setting. I think cloth napkins are totally worth it. (We don't use paper towels either - we use my husband's cut-up old undershirts and just toss them in the wash when done cleaning.)

However, I do have one roll of paper towels (Marcal recycled paper towels) and a bag of paper napkins (Marcal recycled napkins) that I got for free after coupons to keep around for my relatives who are used to those products. Also, schools require a completely disposable lunch for field trips (that just kills me). I have had the napkins and paper towels for two years and they are barely dented.

Thanks for letting me add my two cents! And thanks for reading if you made it this far in my rant :)

[kristen.c]

We use cloth as well.

I keep a little wicker garbage basket in the kitchen to use as a hamper for our napkins and kitchen towels/dish cloths and when that gets full they hitch a ride in the washing machine with our other towels. I don't iron or spot treat either. Once they're clean they get folded and put into a basket that sits on top of the microwave.

I bought a bunch on clearance at Target that we use for every day dining and have a few nicer sets for company.

[knittingintheround]

Also, schools require a completely disposable lunch for field trips (that just kills me).

Wow. Unbelievable.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

We use cloth...I pick them up at the conginment stores, thrift stores or yard sales and just toss in the wash and fold and put in kitchen drawer. The kids are just used to them and I don't bother with spot treating or ironing. I try to find red napkins since 1.) my kitchen is red, and 2) spaghetti sauce, ketchup, pizza sauce is all red...our biggest stains.