I am thinking about switching our family from paper napkins to cloth ones. Wondering if anyone knows if this would be cost effective. (The cost of washing/drying cloth vs just buying paper napkins). I know it is better for the environment to use cloth, just wondering about cost.
my friend uses cloth and says it doesn't cost anything to wash since she just throws them in with laundry loads that she is already doing - they don't take up much space.
Hi,
It was an environmental cost, also they just work better. We actually use "Box Of Rags". It's a brand name from hardware stores. They last for many, many washings. We've used cloth for years, good chore for folding for children too!
S.
We use cloth napkins at our house. They are much nicer to use than paper and easy to wash. At our house we each have a napkin and napkin ring that stays at our dinner place and everyone is responsible for knowing when to put their napkin in the laundry. I also have 2-3 sets (I buy them whenever I see them on sale).
I'm not sure about the cost, but my mother in law made her own cloth napkins and she has several sets. She uses those most often. I'm sure it saves money in the long-run. You'll be doing laundry anyway and throwing in a few small napkins won't bring up your bill that much. If you're environmentally conscience and looking to save a few bucks every other week, then I say go for it!
Cloth would be the cost saver. I would keep the paper napkins on hand for lunches or messy kiddo guests.
Of course it's cheaper! You can pick up cloth napkins for less than a dollar a piece, and they will last a long time. Washing/drying doesn't really take up that much energy. You have to remember that it takes energy to make the paper napkins too!
We use cloth. Unless there's been a really messy spill or we're having company, we reuse the napkins for a couple of meals, so that cuts down on the washing. Since I just throw them in with the towels, I don't think it's really increased my laundry at all so, yes, much more cost effective. Cloth napkins also dry very easily hung out on a line, so that eliminates the cost of drying right there!
I just throw mine in with the towels and sheets. if it gets something really messy I spray it with spray and wash or shout or something like that. You will want enough cloth ones to go for 3 or 4 nights. I have several dozen. I went to a second hand store. you can usually get them for $2 or $3 for 6 of them. I have got some really cute ones that match the seasons.
Cloth would be cheaper. I wash our cloth napkins when they get dirty, not after every meal. They take up very little room in the washer. And it's much better for the environment.
You've already gotten great feedback, but I wanted to chime in too. We have used cloth napkins for daily use for several years (paper for parties and when we have guests) and now my 4-year-old son refuses to use paper ones at home. And I agree with everyone else that they can be used for several meals before needing to be laundered. The effort of washing, drying, folding, and putting them away is not a significant addition to doing the rest of the laundry.
Like other posters, we bought our cloth napkins on sale (at Williams-Sonoma at that!) for maybe $1 each. We have a lot, maybe 16, everyday napkins, and I switch them out probably twice a week. (My 2 1/2-year-old's more often if necessary.) Then I just throw them in the laundry with our other linens. Super easy, and it doesn't cost a lot. I've had the same napkins for at least 5 years. So, $16/5 years = less than $3/year. I think that's WAY more cost effective than paper.
I just throw mine in with other loads, so it doesn't really cost any more.
I would get 2 sets - one for every day use and one for special occasions when you have dinner guests. I don't know if I'm on board with re-using them a few times before washing, but cloth is definitely the way to go!
One thing I didn't see mentioned - after their life as a napkin, they can continue to be used as cleaning cloths, dusters, etc.
If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own napkins out of old sheets (or new - if you can purchase a single flat sheet, they're pretty cheap!)
Another thing that works great for cloth napkins for every day use are the terrycloth baby washcloths. They are paper napkin size, soft and absorbent.
Yes, much more cost effective and better for the environment, so two wins!
I use cloth and like other posts have said, they are cheap to buy, you don't need to launder them every day, and they don't take up much space when I add them to the laundry that I would be doing anyway. I made mine and we each have decorated our own napkin ring (wooden and painted). When guests come over they are also invited to decorate their own ring. I have them hung up like artwork and when that guest comes over we put it out again. Weird, but I think guests feel real special having their ring and everyone loves using the cloth napkins. Well, not my brother, but he has OCD issues, so I put a paper napkin in his ring.
C.
We use both. Cloth at meals and I have paper sitting on the breakfast counter for snacks. I am thinking of switching to all cloth now that my daughter is in college since she used napkins for everything.
I have used cloth napkins forever...I grew up with them. I also use cloth instead of paper towels. I agree that they don't need to be washed everytime. Everyone in the family has a unique napkin ring so we can tell them apart and when we have guests I give them a fresh one to use and then wash it afterwards. I much prefer the feel of cloth as well as the cost effectiveness and the environmental benefits. Plus buying paper towels and napkins adds a lot of bulk to my grocery trips so I prefer not to have to do that.
