Sure, we all love the environment, so tissues are bad. But who really wants to put snot backin their pocket, right?
Paper towels are bad too, but who wants to dry their hands with a funked-out dishtowel that some other member of your family probably used to clean the floor? (Yes, Son #1, I’m looking at you.)
And napkins. We could use our sleeves. Or our jeans. (Don’t lie, we’ve all done it.) But really, who wants to go BUY cream colored cloth napkins and wipe a burrito smudged mouth with them?
My feelings exactly.
So, let’s solve these problems together.
1. Cut up some old T-shirts. If you can’t make a straight line with scissors (like me), fold them in fourths and use a sharp knife.
2. Throw skinny trimmings in the compost pile and put the big ones in your new rag rug pile.
3. Separate into three piles: napkins, tissues, “paper towels.”
4. Put them in their respective homes and use once each. Toss in laundry.
5. Grin like a man with only one brand of sock when you fold and put them away, cause THEY ALL THE SAME, MAN.
Same cloth, same size, same one-use lifestyle. No mucus collecting. No fancy cloth napkins stained by snack time. No wiping up with dirty dishtowels. Planet and wallet both get a big ole hug.
Down with snotty pockets!
Ivory
(P.S. 11/22/08) If you want to see a really PRETTY way to make interchangeable cloth tissues, napkins, and “paper” towels, go check out these. Great minds, I tell you.
I use those old t-shirts for everything too.
They make great dusting cloths.
I’ve had rag bags forever.
Good idea.
Have a great day.
Pam
Thanks for the fab idea! We go through tissues far too quickly for my liking. And I hate buying paper towels. Do you have a pattern for how to make a rag rug? I’ve never made one but have a lot of scraps. . .
And I prefer to use my socks as a napkin over my jeans. 🙂 Socks hide under your jeans so there’s no tale tale sign that you just wiped your cheeto cheese covered fingers on them!
Abigail,
Funny you should mention that! I will be posting a tutorial on a no-sew rag rug on Tuesday.
And your sock solution is hilarious!
Ivory
I love this website. You are so down to earth and practical. Just what I love to read and great ideas on how to reuse, recycle and redo.
@JLind Thank you! That’s my favorite compliment.
We started using cloth when we had our first baby–committed ot the cloth diapers. We bought odd cuts of flannel at the fabric store and borrowed a friend’s serger to make little squares. They were great little baby wipes (just add a little water) and they are AWESOME hankies. I prefer them to kleenex any day. They completely wash out everytime.
Do I need to hem? Don’t the edges curl?