Cloth Napkins

We use cloth napkins too. I bought mine from bed bath and beyond. They are the cheapest ones. I think there were 12 for $5 and I used a 20% off coupon. They are getting pretty stained now, so I might buy new ones. These have lasted me over a year. Good luck and way to be green!

I haven;t read the other responses but we have always used 'cloth napkins', since I was a kid in fact. What we always always have done is go to the big box stores, like Walmart or Target, and buy their big mulitpacks of washcloths- they come in all sorts of colors or just plain white. It only runs us a few bucks and then we throw them in the regular wash and there's no ironing or any thing else needed. Just fold into 4s and you're set. Plus, you can always use them for other things, not just napkins....

I have bought cloth napkins at Sam's. They're not too expensive and they last a good while. That was a while ago, though, because there are fewer of us here to wear them out. If there's a restaurant supply store in your area, that would be another good place to look; restaurants can't be running out to buy napkins all the time, so they should have sturdy ones.

Or... if it's just your family, you could try kitchen hand towels that look enough like napkins not to look silly on the table.

We are also switching over to using cloth napkins, but I decided to just make them myself. I got the fabric at a discount fabric outlet since I wasn't picky about the pattern and it was only $1 a yard. So for like $4 we should have all the napkins we need for a while. The only problem is that I haven't had time to make them. Recently my mom was visiting and saw the fabric and I said "Hey, do you want to make me some napkins for Christmas?" It was perfect because she also loves to sew and she just retired so she has the time to do it and not as much money to spend on gifts. I don't know if something similar would work for you, but I thought I'd let you know what my solution was.

I have a few from Pier 1 Imports, but they are the the dinner size. I got them on clearance a few years ago and they have held up great. I go for the dark colors to avoid showing stains. Also this is a great site for re-usable items, they have napkins too, it might be a little pricey if you need to get a lot, but some are very cute, you can check it out.
http://www.reuseit.com/store/kitchen-napkins-tableware-c-...;

We use cloth napkins every day! Lol, people always come over and say "Where's a napkin?" or "Where are the paper towels?" when I say we just use the cloth ones, there in a stack on a bowl on the table, they always say "Isn't that a lot of work?" Lol

We just toss them in with the laundry- it is good to build up a 'store' of them- depending on what you eat, sometimes we go through them pretty fast! If it is just the 3 of us, family dinner, we will reuse the napkins for the week, unless any of them are really gunky or have food on them. I always have a fresh one for guests.

I honestly don't care if one gets a little stained- they are for wiping off food after all! Many come with patterns that are cute and will hide stains if that really worries you.

You can get cloth napkins pretty reasonably at Cost Plus Work Market or at Target. I have them from old and beat up, to some really nice new 'fancy' ones we use when company is over. But I made a decision to USE all my linens- it seems so silly to have something and keep it just for 'company' because its too 'nice' to use!

Try Cost Plus and Target- also keep an eye open at Crate and Barrel- they have great linens and they go on sale at the end of each season. I've picked up some nice napkins there at a cheap price.

Drop the paper napkins!I bet you will never go back :)

I've had good luck at thrift stores and church sales. I have gotten some great linen or cotton ones, and you can't beat the price.

My friend always just put a wet washcloth at each place. Then into the laundry they went.

B. B

J. - we only use cloth napkins. If you are looking for inexpensive ones that really hold up Crate & Barrel outlet is a great place to shop. I don't know where Wheaton is, but if you're in the city they have an outlet right by north & clyborn. Also, depending on your ablilitis & time (personally I'm short on both, but I have a mother who is good with a sewing machine) you can pick up cotton fabric from the remnents pile and make napkins by cutting out the size you want & hemming the edges. My mom has done this with some really cute material.

K. p

We've always used cloth napkins because we're cheap :). I think I got them at bath, bed, and beyond. I like ones that are kind of a thick linen (not polyester). Also, if they have a pattern it is especially useful for hiding stains--(our family napkins are stained). Also, I just refold them so the icky part is inside when they get dirty and they usually last for 3 days or so.

Most of the cloth napkins I see any more are formal ones (like at Dillard's) or really cheap and fall apart quickly. You could try a restuant supply store or do as my mother would and make your own. If you have a sewing machine, it is the easiest project to do.... all staight lines.

See if you can find a restaurant supply house and get some napkins there. I get white so I can bleach them and they are super sturdy. Every time I get them at a department store they just do not hold up. If you have a Sam's or Costco nearby they sometimes have the restaurant quality napkins as well.

Good luck.

Hi J.,

In my family of origin, we bought different cloth napkins (so we could tell them apart) for each family member (and some extras for guests) and then would wash them every few days as necessary. Shortly after we got married, my husband and I bought 2 sets of 4 cloth napkins in 2 different patterns (so we could each use one and have some extras for guests). When we entertain, we have some nicer napkins that match with our tablecloths. I think we bought our napkins from Bed Bath & Beyond or Linens 'n' Things, and I chose the ones that were on clearance (some of them have snowflakes on them, but it doesn't bother me). My parents have had to update their supply (after about 10-15 years of use the napkins wore out), but ours are still fine after about 6 years of use. Hope that helps.

Best,
R.

I bought a big, cheap package of them at Target and they've lasted me for years. They have stains so I save nicer ones to use with company, but for our family they work just fine. Good for you making the switch!

I see them frequently at Kohl's and many times a couple of colors are on clearance too. Target, Walmart and most of the department stores carry them too. The only ones I have are from Crate and Barrel and were a wedding gift several years ago, so no real recommendations on which ones to get. If you are a little crafty you may just be able to buy fabric, cut squares and sew around the edges quickly. That way you could have any size.

I had each one of my kids make their own set. I had scraps of material big enough. Wallmart and sewing, craft stores sell small scraps. They can pick out their own colors and each make one for Dad.It was lots of fun and not a lot of work.

I buy from a work at home mom and I have a couple sets - I love them! http://www.mymammasmilk.com/UN-Paper-Towels.html

Go to Tuesday Morning if you are in the city. They have dozens and the prices of those, and other household items is pretty low. Also, you could check marshalls/TJMaxx. I had to send one with my kids everyday to their montessori school. Make sure they are absorbent. Mine were not and they are useless. Good luck!

Just a little thought. I had a friend that used cloth napkin all the time.. they used the color brown, now i thought it was always so ugly, but now thinking of it, it makes sense.. I would use a dark color so you don't have to worry about staining as much.. I would personally got to a fabric store and buy some fabric you like.. you could always ask the people there that work there and ask what fabric they think would work best.. cut them up and sew the edges.. you could get tons for a low price I'm sure..

I use clothe napkins. I love them. I will go a step further and say you don't need fancy. go to a second hand store and buy a bunch. I got about 25 of them a couple years ago for less than $5 they were in bunches of 4 and 6 for like 99cents. just toss them into the laundry hamper after the meal. i do have some that I got at hobby lobby for special holidays. we have pumpkin and halloween ones out now and they will be changed out for thanksgiving turkey ones next month and then on to christmas. after that just different colored napkins for regular months. good for you for thinking of the environment.