Friday, May 22, 2009

Napkins ... (a recycled article)

For years I used paper napkins … they were convenient and inexpensive. But one day I noticed that, even though we barely dirtied them, they got tossed into the trash can after every meal. What a waste.

We decided to make the switch to cloth napkins. I didn’t want to get brand new ones … they are expensive and I just felt that there must be a better, earth friendly way to stock my linen drawer. Great news … there is.

First, look around the house. Old t-shirts, table clothes and even towels make great napkins. Just cut them to size and … there you go.

Next, check out the thrift stores in your area. I’ve found countless sets of brand new napkins for amazingly low prices (like 8-12 napkins for a dollar).

Whether you make them yourself or buy them, you’ll want to get a bunch so that you have plenty on hand between washings. I have between 20-30 napkins in various colors and fabrics. Look them over before tossing them in the laundry basket … we’ve found that they don’t get dirty after just one … or even two uses. We use them for a few days before tossing them in the washer.

Dazzle your family at your next meal with beautiful, colorful napkins. What’s the old saying? “Treat your family like honored guests”.

As always, I would love to hear your ideas for reducing, reusing and recycling. Just click on the comments link, located at the bottom of each post, and let me know what you think and how you conserve.