Chasing Babies... Growing in Grace: Frugal and Green... Cloth Napkins

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Frugal and Green... Cloth Napkins

I bumped into this site this evening and found a giveaway for market totes and a carnival on being green. I'll admit that we are not a very green family (as is pointed out by an anonymous commenter.) I have some things I would love to do someday to make a little difference in that, but for now, as I reflected on something "green" I could post on to enter this great giveaway, there isn't much. I hope you aren't too disappointed in me... I'm just being honest here.

One thing we began doing right at the beginning of our marriage (3 1/2 years ago) and have continued doing, is both green and frugal! We use cloth napkins all the time. I have several different sets, but one set is for everyday as they don't need to be ironed (it's like a dream.) One step greener (and more frugal)... we don't launder them every day. Sure... if there are guests over, I wash them (though if guests are staying for more than one meal we keep them separate and save them.) If they are dirty, I wash them. The one that gets used as a burp cloth in a pinch... I wash it. If, however, it's not so dirty and it's just the one My Beloved and I share (that's another point by the way... if it's just us, we share a drinking cup [unless he wants to drink green tea and I want milk] and a napkin... saves on water and time), then I refold it and put it in my "we've used this/don't offer this napkin to guests" drawer for the next meal.

Another perk of cloth napkins... if your little one (or let's face it, you or your husband) knocks over a glass of milk, you have something way more absorbent than a little paper napkin to clean it up in a snap.

What are your ideas for cutting down on waste??? I'd love to hear about them... and be sure to enter the contest with your ideas too. Rules etc. are here.

Labels: In the Kitchen, Mommy's Tool Box, Passing it On

3 Comments:

At July 6, 2008 at 4:39 AM , Anonymous said...: I made the anonymous comment and it wasn't at all because I was disappointed with your blog - Quite the contrary! I was just trying to strike up a conversation about trying to be green. While my husband and I spend loads of money on recycled paper towels and tp, have energy efficient appliances, and building products we used when remodeling our home (like marmoleum). I am still shocked by how expensive green diapers are and wanted to converse about it. I wanted to see if others felt the same way, (guilty) for not knowing for sure if I can pull off the green diapers. (We are expecting our first child). Our laundry room is not really conducive to cloth diapers, there is no sink to rinse out and the room is tiny, laundry piles quickly even without diapers to wash. I'm not sure how we are going to afford the green disposables. I am researching and trying to see how others feel about it. I'm hoping that since it's so 'hip' to be 'green' these days, maybe prices for green disposables will come down soon and we'll be able to afford them without having to sell one of our cars or something (jk). So sorry if my comment came across as otherwise. Kudos for the cloth napkins, better than recycled (which is what we use).
At July 6, 2008 at 8:50 AM , Marva said...: You are doing a great job! Never let nayone question you sweet friend. We all could do more. However, sometimes it doesn't work that way.

I would be afraid for that someone to know that I raised twins on cheap diapers, now training pants. We use paper products (plates, cups) alot in the summer time.

I also use pads and tampons. We farm with pesticides, herbicides, insectides.

We do, do somethings t help the environment though.

Anyone willing to leave a comment should be willing not to hide under anonymous though.

Sorry, I was on a bit of a rant there.

I love your ideas and like I, your hands are full and overflowing. Thanks for the cloth napkin idea....love it and intend to put it into use.

Many blessings and hope your Fourth was wonderful!
At July 6, 2008 at 5:39 PM , ~Babychaser~ said...: Anonymous: Sorry not to comment after your last one. I did intend to. You are right... I'm not nearly as green as I should be. I don't think I took anything personally (though I can be a tad sensitive sometimes). As a fault of mine, I tend to take things more personally when left anonymously. I'd love it if you would assign yourself a nickname and click name instead of anonymous in the future. That makes it easier to have conversations and get to know one another. :)

I should have said this earlier, but I'm intending to do a post re: your comment... so keep your eyes open. Because my life gets so busy, we tend to live more conveniently than frugally or green-ly (I know that's not a word), but hopefully with a post dedicated to this topic, we can get a good conversation going with other readers input! :)

If you have any ideas or such in the future, feel free to shoot me an email. I'd love to hear from you!

I'm so glad you read and look forward to your participation in the future! :)

Blessings,
Babychaser

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Chasing Babies... Growing in Grace

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Frugal and Green... Cloth Napkins

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