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The Paper Towel Challenge...Are you up for it?

With each meal, with each spill, with each wipe of the hands - We used to grab a paper napkin or paper towel and throw it away.

How many of you do this as well?

In casual conversation at our local library Mother Goose Time, I was speaking to a mom about cloth diapering.  She stated that she didn't cloth diaper, but she was doing her part by using cloth napkins instead of paper towels.

Whoa!  Why hadn't I thought of this earlier?

I headed to Target and bought some white terrycloth napkins that we would use for napkins, for paper towels.  In addition, I also purchased some microfiber cleaning cloths to use for spills and the general cleaning of the kitchen.

How long will we last? We've been doing it for 2 weeks now and we've only used a couple of paper towels - and that was because we didn't want a certain "gook" on our napkins.  We haven't changed the roll in over a month now!

In addition, with our current giveaway of repurposed and reclaimed cloth napkins, we are trying to do our part in helping the environment - in changing the world - a little bit at a time - one household at a time!

Could you survive this challenge?  Join me now!  Let's save the landfills.








Here are some great resources to purchase cloth for your home:

        
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Comments

Frugal Science Gal said…
I love it! I'm moving into a new place in two weeks and I plan on having a fresh start with changes such as this! Thanks for the post!

Frugal Science Gal
http://frugalsciencegal.blogspot.com/
August 4, 2010 at 9:40 AM
Amy Walker said…
We've been doing this the past couple of months. I'm making "not paper towels" out of flannel. I know it's unnecessary since you can just use regular kitchen towels but it's fun to have something to fill the unnecessary role of paper towels. :) It just makes so much sense..doesn't even add significantly extra laundry!
August 4, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Melissa Au said…
Following you!

Can you follow me too?

http://momsreview4you.blogspot.com/
August 4, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Sara R. said…
We started doing this in April. I actually just posted a follow up to our no paper towel initiative earlier this week. I haven't bought any at all since April. It's great!
August 4, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Amy said…
I have survived this challenge for over six years! Six years of not buying any home paper products except toilet paper (yeah, NOT going there). My family thinks I am nuts. They insist I "can't parent with out paper plates" but I HAVE and its GREAT!

Once you get used to it, its a lot easier to use cloth napkins and cloths than it is to remember paper products. Its also a lot easier on your wallet.
August 4, 2010 at 4:21 PM
CraftyMummy said…
Thanks for the inspiration! I still have a pile of cloth nappies from when my kids were babies, so I could easily chop them up and use them now.
August 4, 2010 at 4:54 PM
E Living said…
Awesome! We mainly use cloth in our house. Just a napkin here and there for dinner time...mainly b/c I have not gotten around to making dinner napkins. For regular use, I just made extra baby wipes for cleaning faces and small spills - my boys call them wet wipes - it's cute that it's all they have known and it makes me feel good that we are being smart AND saving money. I can't stand paper towels any more. Funny the things you cling to, then give up, then cannot imagine paying money for again! :) Thanks for the post!
August 4, 2010 at 8:21 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi Ive giveing you a blog award!
http://3amclothdiapersnopins.blogspot.com/2010/08/me-versatile-blogger-my-1st-bolg-award.html
August 4, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Lisa D said…
I love this challenge. I'm working on stocking up on reusable cloth napkins so we can stop using paper towels all together.
duncan.lisa(at)gmail.com
August 5, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Aleksandra Nearing said…
We rarely use them, and if we do we compost them. I have a big old drawer of dishtowels. I don't like terry cloth since they leave streaks. I don't use them for cleaning, either, I cut up old white tee shirts to use to do windows and mirrors and stuff
August 5, 2010 at 2:17 PM
Not So Average Mama said…
A long time ago I picked up a bunch of sets of cloth napkins from the thrift store. We use them with our meals :)
August 9, 2010 at 8:23 AM
Anonymous said…
Growing up, my mom knew how to cut corners. A family friend had a print shop and they would have "goofs" of wedding napkins. We used thousands of these at family dinners over the years - it was funny using fancy napkins with strangers names & typos! Now mom uses cloth napkins my grandma picked up on clearance over the years while working at a department store. We sometimes use paper towels here for the really icky stuff but use a lot of rags. My kids are older, so not that many napkins. For my lunches at work, I am going to start using bandannas that were $1 each at WalMart for cute prints plus I had a few already. I chose dark colors so stains wouldn't be a problem! Also I'm following several school lunch blogs and trying to have as little trash as possible.
August 10, 2010 at 1:41 PM
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