Paper Napkins - Cloth Napkins Challenge

[Kristean]

8 Years ago I made some cloth napkins from white flour sacks. We have been using them every since. Some of them are stained, but for everyday use, They are fine. I have other cloth ones we use for guests. Not only do I save money, but it makes our table feel more welcoming. It tells my family I care, in just a tiny way. It doesnt add that much to my laundry, either.

[pschale]

My family has always used cloth napkins, my Mother never bought paper napkins. She always made them from whatever she had left. She made some from old towels that were too worn out to use as towels any more. She cut them up and hemmed them. She had others that were put on the table when we had guests.

[Jeanne]

Besides using cloth napkins I put a heavy clear plastic sheet over my tablecloth to keep it clean and easy just to wipe off any spills that happen

[pschale]

I use an oilcloth on my tabe(lined) so it won't stick to the table and ruin the finish. I have nice table cloths I use when we have company with matching napkins. When it is just family I use a pretty oilcloth.

[DivaJen]

We use cloth napkins here - can't remember the last time I bought paper napkins. I find it incredible just how clean our napkins get in a normal wash cycle, given how much we really use them.

[PrincessPerky]

WE used to use them when I was a kid, I thought it made the meal so special, I had no idea it was cheaper. (then I do now) Unfortunatly I don't sew and we don't have any, but it is on my wish list. And truthfully when eating with a almost 3 year old and a 1 year old, we actually use a dish rag more than anything else, having it damp helps.

[singinjeannie]

The idea of using cloth napkins instead of paper has me wondering. The cost of hot water and laundry detergent to constantly be washing these cloth napkins doesn't seem to be taken into consideration.

It only costs $1.50 for 300 napkins (for the no-name brand) so I have a hard time believing it's less expensive to launder them.

Just a thought.

-Jean

[pschale]

I use cloth napkins for several reasons. They are just as cheap if not cheaper than paper, just throw them in with other things to make a full load and wash in cold water. They are also better for the environment since you aren't cutting down a tree to get them. I use cloth from other things that are worn out for napkins. Cut up old towels that are too thin to use as towels any more and hem them.

[marla]

Originally Posted by singinjeannie

The idea of using cloth napkins instead of paper has me wondering. The cost of hot water and laundry detergent to constantly be washing these cloth napkins doesn't seem to be taken into consideration.

It only costs $1.50 for 300 napkins (for the no-name brand) so I have a hard time believing it's less expensive to launder them.

If you do a special extra wash for just the napkins, then you're correct. It will cost more. I have never had to do an extra wash. Our napkins hardly take up any space and just get added to a load I would be doing anyway.

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by marla

If you do a special extra wash for just the napkins, then you're correct. It will cost more. I have never had to do an extra wash. Our napkins hardly take up any space and just get added to a load I would be doing anyway.

Exactly. I never do an extra load of wash because of our cloth napkins.

And, think about the environmental good you can do by switching to cloth, too.

[Kristean]

If I didnt have white cloth napkins, I would waste money on laundry. I dont have enough white clothes for a whole washer full, but add the napkins.... There ya go. A full load.

I also agree on the enviromental impact.

[momma4]

we use cloth napkins here I make mine from old unfitted and fitted sheets (of course not the areas that are stained)just add a band of ribbon, bais tape, or even fabric for some color

[amomof4]

We use cloth napkins. I hate buying paper anything except toilet paper.

My daughter uses handkerchief's in place of napkins. She bought a whole slew of them at the dollar store right after father's day. She got them for $0.10 each.

[Gailete]

We switched over to cloth napkins months ago. Even when my boys are over for casual meals they know to grab a cloth napkin if needed. We have some nice big ones that last for several meals for me. I had a stack of cloth napkins around the house for years (while paying several times a year for paper napkins). I'm glad I'm using them now. We also switched to hankies. Since it is just hubby and I this doesn't make much of a bigger pile in the laundry and even when I hang up clothes on the line, doesn't take much extra time +-1minute.

Glad we switched because even little dollars add up to big savings.

[acezz4e_tish]

i bought mine at the dollar tree. i also bought wine glasses at the same store, a table runner and gems in the craft section. my daughter is 11, asked her to do the table the other day, and she on her own, put a runner on the table, folded matching napkins, placed gems on the table too. they love it and feel so grown up. i also bought my glass bowls there, clear ones, and i keep them in the freezer after cleaning them, adds that lil extra chill to thier apple sauce, peaches and stuff with dinner.

[lynclarke]

After holidays, look for the bandana/hankerchiefs to go on clearance. Momof4, you are right 10¢ to 25¢ is about right. We use the "cowboy" looking ones for picnics, the halloween prints for the entire month of October, and flag prints for July, Veterans' Day week, and Memorial day week. We have an entire cabinet of napkins which really give the table a great look. I have the same package of napkins that I bought 6 years ago when we moved to this house. I feel the same way about paper towels. We go through maybe one package of paper towels per year because my husband likes them in the garage, otherwise we use cloth towels that I find on clearance. Kohl's has been really nice over the past few years. I generally spend 50¢ or less for a good quality towel. lynclarke

[Kirbycruiser]

I never gave a second thought to paper towels and/or napkins untill I joined this site. I have saved at least $10.00 so far. I used to buy big packs of paper towels every week. Now I keep my dish towel next to the sink instead of decorating the stove.

[lynclarke]

kirbycruiser- I have the big bottom drawer next to my sink filled with kitchen towels of varying ages. When there is no company about, use the oldest towels. I "save" a few for company visits. I run a load of towels maybe every 10 - 14 days or so. i soak them overnight in bleach + vinegar/water in the washer, run the load the next day and start all over again. I started this process years ago when I first got married by buying towels at auctions for $1 or $2 a BOX!! My ex-husband used to say, "Eyew! Dead man's towels!" I let him obscess about that because although he didn't know, it he also wore "dead man" jammies. I can't begin to guess how much money I have NOT spent on towels over the past 30 years. lynclarke

[kashi]

I'm going to check out the dollar store and see what I can find! I'd like to stop using so many paper products.

[lynclarke]

Don't forget Kohl's superclearance when the prices are red tagged (50%) off the 75% off clearance price. It is possible to due BETTER than $1 per towel. lynclarke