Roughly two weeks ago I took $14 of our grocery budget and invested into washcloths.
A strange investment, I know. You don’t want me in control of your 401k!
I kid.
Not really.
Seriously, these washcloths are amazing. They are not your typical run of the mill washcloths.
- First, they’re white.
- And, they’re square.
- They’re made of cotton.
- They were cheap.
- They’re brand-name (the store’s).
- They’re from Target (pronounced Tar-zsay).
See, totally high-end and very extraordinary washcloths.
These washcloths are so magnificent that they are now our official “napkins.” We used to use paper towels, or on an extra special occasion, a real paper napkin. But now we use washcloths.
When company comes over for dinner or if we’re hosting a special occasion, no longer do we feel inferior because our company has to wipe crumbs and sauce off their face with paper. No sir-ree! Our company can feel ultimate pleasure and comfort while wiping their face AND be reminded of a bathroom at the same time!
How’s that for hospitality?!
Did you hear that washcloth napkins are all the rage? Yep, they sure are.
(Don’t bother Googling to verify this – they’ve been slow to update their search results.)
Don’t you want to do what’s popular too? Why should you invest in super-cool, ultra high-end exceptionally remarkable white cotton washcloths?
Cloth napkins cost less.
For the average family of four using one paper towel each for three meals a day, one roll would last 13 days. At 52 sheets in each $1 roll, the cost of cloth napkins becomes significantly less expensive (free) after 182 days (or just over six months).
Cloth napkins look better.
Company isn’t impressed when we rip off a paper towel, tear it in half and tuck the ripped piece of paper gently under their forks and knives. Now everyone gets their own full-size napkin. We could get extra fancy and fold it into a fan and stick it in their water glass!
Cloth napkins last longer.
Cloth napkins are not a one-time-use and toss item. They cover way beyond one spill and can even last beyond one meal (if it’s not spaghetti). Even used to the maximum capacity, cloth napkins end up in the hamper, not trash, which means…
Cloth napkins produce less trash.
Cloth napkins can be used and washed and reused until they shrivel apart, and even then they can become “heavy duty” rags. Less trash = better for the environment.
Kids can’t rip apart cloth napkins under the table.
There’s something soothing about ripping pieces of paper apart into tiny little pieces. That soothing factor diminishes when you’re the one cleaning them up.
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How does the “average” family integrate this posh commodity into their ordinary lives?
1. Search for a good deal at low-end joints. Think Walmart, Target, Goodwill, garage sales, etc. Expect that these will get very dirty and come up with a fair price. The high-end washcloths mentioned above were on sale at Target, $3.23 for an 8-pack. I thought 40 cents each was fair.
2. Aim for plain. Flowers and patterns are cute today, but won’t always be in season. Solid colors will stand the test of time and increase your odds of not having to replace them later. Why white? It matches everything, always.
3. Buy several. 32 seemed like a good number. Enough to last us through a few days without having to wash, but not enough to make laundry more of the chore it already is.
3. Wash before use. This should go without saying, but since someone in my family is guilty of wearing new clothes without washing them first (ahem), it’s worth mentioning. Wash the washcloths in cold water and dry.
4. Fold and put not too far away. Keeping the washcloths in a closet upstairs is a great way to not use them. Re-purpose a basket or tupperware container or toy box or something to hold the napkins. Fold them neatly and place them inside the container. Keep the container in a central location to the dining table and/or kitchen and make sure everyone in the house knows where this location is. Don’t keep it a secret.
5. Wash regularly. Keeping them clean will make them look newer longer. Wash dirty washcloths at least once a week. Save money and time by washing with other dirty towels and rags too. Another reason to go white? If they become so stained that they’re no longer worthy for company, let them soak in bleach in the kitchen sink. Two outcomes: white washcloths and a clean sink.
6. Put paper towels out of sight. Because out of sight is out of mind.
What do you use: paper or cloth?
Source
We have been using cloth napkins for 6 years and I love it! Yes they get stained but who cares. I just try to give guests ones that aren’t. I wash my cloth napkins with the towels. We also use cloth wipes for the kids face and cloth bibs. We put a wet bag on the banaster by the kitchen/dining room to hold our dirty napkins so we don’t have to run downstairs to put them in the laundry. Our clean ones live on our countertop.
I have also found that after holidays they can have great discounts on napkins that are not over holiday looking.
I know I have saved tons of money buy doing this and now hate the feel of paper napkins. Plus every time I use one at someone else house I feel like I am adding to the landfill. You will be surprised that you will take out your garbage much less when u switch to cloth.
LOVE that you don’t care if they get stained. Isn’t the point of a napkin to get it dirty so our clothes and face aren’t?
Looking forward to the post-holiday sales. I’d like to add some towels to my collection for messes that need something bigger than a washcloth.
I’ve noticed a decrease in trash in the one-month we’ve been doing this so far – I can’t imagine the long-term benefits!
We’ve used washcloths for napkins for several years now. We usually have some paper napkins stored away for when we have guests who might not appreciate our stained napkins. But I love the money it saves us and it’s super easy.
Very thoughtful to have paper stored, as to not offend company. Good tip Steph!
We use cloth. We switched about 20 years ago when money was so tight at our home, i was even making homemade soap from hamburger grease. Our first cloth napkins were a mis matched assortment made from scrap fabric.
A few years later, when our budget was not so tight, we could buy paper napkins but my husband never likes to use them because cloth napkins just work better.
Our current cloth napkins are from thrift stores, we’ve had some very nice ones from yard sales too.
We use a fresh one at every meal and they are just not a big deal at all to launder.
Wowzers, homemade soap from hamburger grease?! Does this make you smell like a hamburger too? LOL.
Very much on board that cloth simply work better and not any more of a burden to clean. I wasn’t able to find any in my price range (uber-cheap) at my thrift store, but my area tends to be pricier than most. C’mon after holiday sales!
I’m liking the white washcloth idea. I’ve tried ‘cloth napkins’ before and they were too wimpy. I like this idea!
These washcloths are definitely not wimpy, and I know exactly what you mean. Some cloth napkins just can’t get the job done. The absorbancy (and cleaning) of washcloths is very effective!
Love this post. You are hysterical!
I have been seriously considering switching to cloth napkins. I gave up paper towels years ago so napkins would be my last big thing to do away with. I have some washcloths like yours already. May have to give them a try.
Do it! Jumping ship is the hardest part. You’ll be SO happy that you did it though and you’ll wonder why you didn’t jump sooner!
We use cloth napkins, but I also have a roll of paper towels for those nasty cleanups that seem to occur with some regularity in my kitchen.
I think a spare roll may be kept in my closet too, just.. in.. case…
Love this article…you are too funny. We recently switched to cloth napkins too. I’m not much of a thrift store shopper, but I found some great ones there and paid next to nothing for a whole week’s supply!
Thanks Peggy! Next to nothing is a GREAT price!
Love your new napkins and what a great idea!
I never would have thought of using high end wash cloths as a substitute for either cloth or paper napkins!
I currently use a VERY high end paper napkin (much thicker than most – hate flimsy paper napkins!) and I DO have some nice cloth napkins that we use for special occasions but we are looking for ways to cut costs and be greener in our home that will work for us, so may consider this in the future!
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday at
Create With Joy
Great post. You left out the part about having unique napkin rings so each person can identify and reuse his own napkin for that week!
)
Ah, nice touch!!
Thank you for sharing this! I’ve recently run across a couple other bloggers who’ve made the switch from paper to cloth and I’d been seriously considering doing the same. Now…I think I’ve made up my mind!
No more paper napkins for us! Thanks again for this informative and persuasive post!
You’re welcome Jessica!
Great post! I hadn’t thought of using dish rags for napkins, but I grew up in a family where both grandmothers always had cloth napkins, and I continued that tradition
My mum taught me to use scrap fabric to make napkins (with a serger you can make pro edges, or use your regular sewing machine to make a rolled hem), you can even pick up bits of fabric from the second hand store in funky colours and designs!
A great suggestion Danielle. Makes me wish I knew how to sew!
Thanks for sharing! I have been contemplating switching over to cloth napkins and I think you may have given me the push I was needing:)
Do it, do it, do it! *push*
Love this. We use cloth napkins all the time. I like to call them our “fancy napkins”. Nothing upscales a take out pizza like a vintage white linen napkin
Seriously, that is what we use! I love them and figure if they get stained, they get stained. I must buy more though, good idea to stock up!
I’ve used cloth napkins for about four years, and love them! I buy solid color ones after the holidays and embroider them. I have also bought them cheaply at yard sales. I have a rotation and bring the older ones to work to use at my desk during lunch. They last and last–and I somehow feel more “special” using a cloth napkin.
Thanks for linking this up with Show Your Stuff, I hope you come back and link up again on Friday.
We’ve been contemplating on switching to cloth so this helps out a lot! I know what you mean about little pieces under the table, lol. Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday
Love this Tiffany! We do this with a mix of washcloths and cloth napkins, reserving paper towels only for pet messes and such. Thanks for sharing it with us at Scratch Cookin’ Tuesday!
We have some cloth napkins and we also have UNpaper towels. They are next to the paper towels (that dh likes to use) but I tell the dc to reach for the unpaper towels first. I used a friend’s serger(?) and made short work of it.
Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasures’ Make Your Own! Monday link-up.
Check back tomorrow when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts!
Love this! We use cloth napkins, too, for the most part. I love to sew them, they add such color to the table. I’m sure the washcloths clean even better, tho.
If I could sew, I would have gone that route too. My sewing skills stop short at a button, and even those turn out pretty awful looking, lol!
We have been using cloth napkins for what feels like forever.Comforting that others are catching on:) Thanks for explaining it so well and inspiring others
http://handfulofellers.blogspot.com/2009/04/earth-day-post-frugal-living.html
Excellent idea. I found you on The DIY Dreamer. I will definitely be back, and hope I can persuade you to share this post and link up to my Blog Fest: http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/10/farm-girl-blog-fest-3.html I would love for you to join the party!
Thanks for the invite Lisa!
Hey,
Here in India we use paper napkins only on occasions because they are expensive comparatively and have been introduced recently
My mom , grand mom and me all have been using cloth napkins mainly cut from old cotton bed sheets (you can get a huge pile just with one old sheet)..old towels are cut for wiping kitchen counters and home dusting .
Indian
Indian food has lots of colours like of turmeric , chili and so staining is always there and hence it’s better to use recycled napkins than new ones for me . Economical and durable .. I just have to give a straight stitch to the edges (I don’t sew too….)
Using an old (or even thrifted) bed sheet is a fantastic idea. Given the colors in Indian cuisine, having some solid colors would be nearly a necessity. Non-sewers unite!
I love this idea. Since my dog seems to shred every paper product in the house – it’s like he’s telling me to switch. Right?!?!
How long do you think you can get out of a cloth napkin before it frays away to nothing?
Has anyone made the switch back to hankies too?
Found you at the linky party – A Glimpse Inside.
Yep, I think your dog is sending you signals.
I think the longevity of a napkin will depend on its quality. I try to put newly washed ones at the bottom of the basket to help even the wear. It would be interesting to compare up front and replacement prices. My first inkling is to go cheap up front, since all napkins will get dirty and stained, regardless of their quality, and you’ll want to replace them eventually because of the ick factor.
Haven’t tried hankies yet – I use toilet paper, lol.
I agree with you. I’ve use cloth napkins every day for many years, only using paper cocktail napkins for a party. I even use cloth napkins for our Christmas buffet. I have had a friend or two who thought using cloth napkins was “putting on airs”, but I assured them I wasn’t. LOL It’s just that I like cloth, and as you said, they’re less expensive and “greener”.
Visiting from No Minimalist Here,
Babs
We switched to cloth napkins about a year ago. Ours are thrifted. I like to have a variety so each person can have a different color or pattern. Church sales are a great place to find them cheaply, especially if the congregation is older. I’ve learned that we only like 100% cotton, for feel and absorbency. Our paper towel alternatives are made from flour-sack towels; they work great and dry so fast that they don’t develop a sour smell like thick towels sometimes do.
Ah, church sales! Our area has a large elderly population too. Great idea!
I love cloth napkins if they are the right kind. Some just smear everything around. Most of the time we use paper.
Partying from Create, Craft, Love. This is a good idea. I like cloth napkins. The other idea is the buy tea towels and cut them and make 2 out of one. I don’t know which is cheaper. Enjoyed your post and humor.
We may have met by chance…but we become friends by choice.
Thanks Sue!
We have been using cloth napkins for years. You will be so happy that you have change from paper to cloth. I find an amazing selection for mere pennies at thrift stores.
You’re right – now that we’ve been using them for a few weeks, I’m so glad we switched. I check thrift stores if it’s convenient and plan to pick up some solids.
This is such a fantastic post Tiffany! We currently use paper but you make some excellent points for making the switch Thank you so much for sharing at Mom on Timeout!
I grew up in a household were we dined on fine china every evening…my mom worked for a catering company so this was our life. When my children’s friend come to dinner they all have made comments about our dinner routines (family style dinning) with cloth napkins, porcelain plates…white of course, stemware because everything is better in a wine glass
I love cloth! We’ve been using washcloths as napkins since our daughter was born 2 years ago. They are wonderful! A great place to get uber-cheap washcloths is IKEA. (10 for $4) We just bought 20 more since some of ours are ready for the rag bin.
My family and I have been using cloth shop rags I purchased for free with a coupon for 3 years now. My husband now believes it was the best idea I ever had. We have three children and one on the way now. So paper towels would be a wasted expense. I purchased a king size flat sheet at Goodwill for $2.99 and 3 yards of a cotton fabric for $1.99 at Salvation Army. I washed the sheet and cut it along with the fabric into 72 cloth napkins. Right now they are pinned waiting to be sewn into our double-sided napkins. Tomorrow I will purchased three spools of thread for $1 at Dollar General and get to sewing. Since our family is going to be a family of six soon I plan to purchase another sheet and fabric to make even more napkins. Thanks for the awesome post. You also encouraged me to use a large sheet towel I received from Target with some extra fabric I have to make some dish towels. We also have handmade dish cloths to wash dishes and clean up spills along with handmade cleaning cloths for cleaning around the home.
I so enjoy hearing how large families take something small like cloth napkins and really applying the concept to their lifestyle. It’s encouraging for the smaller families – if a family of 6 can do it, surely a family of 2 or 3 can try!