Are you using cloth napkins every day? For every meal? Or every time you sit down to eat at home?
If you are – yay!!!
If not, why not?
Maybe you haven’t considered using cloth napkins every day. Or maybe you are used to always grabbing paper napkins or paper towels?
Well, I’m here to encourage you to start using cloth napkins every day, every time you sit down at your table.
There are a slew of reasons why you should use cloth napkins. Here are the top 7 benefits (in my opinion) for using cloth napkins and why you should switch to using them every time you eat.
Reason #1: Cloth napkins are reusable
I’m sure you realize that cloth napkins are reusable, but have you given much thought to it?
If you are using paper napkins or paper towels, then you know they are one-and-done. You don’t reuse paper products. You toss them.
Think about how often you are adding paper products to your trash.
Cloth napkins can be reused for years.
In my house, use cloth napkins for every meal. Yes, after years of use, they have a few stains and are kinda dingey, but those everyday napkins are only used by my immediate family. And I’m not trying to impress them (haha!).
Reason #2: Cloth napkins are easy to clean
Cloth napkins are very easy to clean. When they are soiled, just throw them in the washing machine with your regular laundry and you are good to go. There is no need to wash your cloth napkins separately. That would be such a small load to wash, it becomes a waste of water and detergent.
Sometimes you will need to spot treat your cloth napkins, but you need to do that with your clothes, too. So just throw them in with your clothes. Cloth is cloth. Whether it’s a shirt or a napkin.
Reason #3: They last a really long time!
I bet you have an article of clothing that is really old. Now, I know that you don’t wear that t-shirt, or pair of sweats every day, but think about how long you’ve had it.
Cloth doesn’t tear or break down into unusable pieces right away, like paper napkins. Cloth lasts!
Think about the last time you ate pizza, ribs, watermelon, or anything messy or juicy. I bet you went through a crazy amount of paper napkins.
That doesn’t happen with cloth napkins.
Cloth napkins last a really long time, even with daily use. I have some that are over 15 years old!
I would estimate that most of my daily-use cloth napkins last about 5-7 years. Some hold up longer than others. But the great thing about cloth napkins is once they are too stained or dingey for everyday use, they can still be put to good use. Check out reason #7.
Reason #4: You can get good quality cloth napkins at a low price
You don’t need to spend a crazy amount of money on good quality everyday napkins. Note that I’m not talking about your formal dining cloth napkins. Those are the ones you use for a really nice meal with guests and you want to impress them.
I’m talking about the napkins you put on the kitchen table to use every day, all the time.
You can find new, inexpensive cloth napkins, at Cost Plus World Market, Home Goods, Pier One, and many other retail stores. Often, they are less than $2 per napkin and come in sets of 4 or 6. Perfect for your immediate family.
Reason #5: Cloth napkins feel better
Cloth napkins feel SO much better than paper napkins or paper towels.
I mean, really, cloth is soft on your skin. Not rough or scratchy like paper products.
Given the option, do you grab a cloth napkin, a paper napkin, or a paper towel to wipe your mouth? You grab a cloth napkin. Don’t kid yourself.
Reason #6: They look nicer than paper napkins
Yes, there are pretty paper napkins, but they don’t hold a candle to cloth napkins. And there are just as many design and color options for cloth napkins as there are for paper napkins.
Plus, there is something about cloth that just looks nicer than paper. The smoothness of the fabric, the details in the pattern, or even the embellishments. It can’t be replicated in paper napkins.
Reason #7: Cloth napkins have other uses
When you aren’t using cloth napkins to wipe your face, you can use them to line a bread basket.
Or when cloth napkins are too stained and dingey to use at your table, they make great rags. You can use them in place of paper towels to wipe up spills or wipe down counters.
Use your old napkins in the garage or as rags for craft projects.
Or throw them in with your camping stuff. Less trash you will need to deal with outdoors. And since you are outside, you won’t care about them getting any more stained. At least they are clean.
In conclusion: Use Cloth Napkins Every Day
Don’t rob yourself of enjoying cloth napkins every day. You and your family deserve to use them. It is one of those small enjoyments in life, so do it.
Tips:
- One cloth napkin can often be used for more than one meal. (Not so with bbq or other super messy meals.) To get multiple uses before washing cloth napkins, it’s important to identify whose napkin is whose. There are two options:
- Leave each person’s napkin at their place at the table. Most families have seats that each member regularly sits at.
- Have a different identifying napkin ring for each family member. Then keep the two together. Makes it easy to grab and know whose is whose.
- Have a cute basket, or use a kitchen drawer, close to your table that is filled with cloth napkins. That makes it easy to grab and use one as needed.
- Use white cloth napkins as they can easily be bleached.
- Buy cloth napkins that you will use every day. Don’t but them if you feel they are too pretty or expensive to use – you won’t use them.
*Note: I mention paper towels, but don’t really use them in comparison to cloth napkins. Because you can’t make an argument to use paper towels as a napkin. I know people that do use paper towels in place of napkins and (in my opinion) it’s pure laziness. They think it’s easier to use paper towels for everything from cleaning up spills, wiping down counters, to wiping your face. But in all seriousness, do you really want to wipe your mouth with a paper towel? No.
Don’t press/iron creases. In time you’ll get a hole in middle. Iron flat and fold. Or just fold warm from dryer. They’re lovely.
Completely agree with you on ironing napkins. Also great to iron them while they’re damp – right out of the wash.
When I was a child (early 1960,s) my grandparents moved in with us. My grandfather had traveled for business and had learned that restaurants with paper placemats and napkins usually had poor food so he wouldn’t use paper napkins! My mom had 4 young children but she was great at sewing so she made napkins and tablecloths out of terry cloth and got out all of our silver napkin rings so we could use a napkin for more than one meal unless we had spaghetti which meant they all went to the washer after the meal. We still use cloth napkins and our napkin rings!
I love your story! Such a wonderful memory – it’s a perfect reason for why you still use cloth napkins. Thanks for sharing!!!