Wednesday, February 25, 2009

How We Do It- Cloth Napkins

We use cloth napkins in our house or more accurately we use washcloths. This not only saves money, but is terrific for the many spills that occur during mealtimes with children. The wash cloths are fabulous for spills, major or minor, as well as for grimy faces and hands. One washcloth will clean the baby even after he has played in eaten his spaghetti. To avoid washing hundreds of napkins washcloths every day, each person has their own unique napkin ring. We made ours, but it would be fun to shop for a special napkin ring for each member of the family. When we finish a meal each person looks over their napkin and if it is clean they put it back in the napkin ring. Then they all go into a drawer until the next meal. After dinner each day all washcloths are put in the laundry keeping the amount of washcloths washed in a given day to a minimum.

Click here to view my other "How We Do It" posts.

This is part of Works For Me Wednesday. To see the other WFMW ideas for the week, just click the link.

13 comments:

Jean said...

washcloth you normally use in restroom being used as NAPKIN at meal times.... That's something I need to think about! Thanks for the tip!

Kimberly @ Raising Olives said...

Don't just think restroom washclothes either, some of our favorites we bought in the kitchen linens section.

Commonweeder said...

We have done this in the past when our children were young. Now we use regular cloth napkins - a lot have a chicken motif - but we still use unique napkin rings. You have a beautiful beautiful family.

The Pennington Point said...

I think it's a good idea, but I am not sure about putting used ones back in the drawer. We also use placemats at every meal and my little ones can't always tell if they're clean. Do you wash them at the end of the day regardless of how clean they seem? Anyway, just thinking. It is a good idea. Lisa~

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this great tip!
We have been using cloth napkins for years, but I really like your idea of the personalized napkin rings to cut down on the amount of laundry done. You have a beautiful family by the way!

Linda C said...

Great idea and they are ready made!

I just made some cloth napkins for Thanksgiving last fall from some stained tablecloths.

Love the decorated rings:)

Linda C

Kimberly @ Raising Olives said...

Best Life,

Absolutely, we always wash them at the end of the day regardless!

Blessings,
Kimberly

Buffie said...

This is a great idea. I've been resisting using my good cloth napkins because my daughter is a messy eater.

Nikki said...

I love using washcloths as napkins! The cloth napkins I had didn't do a very good job. But I love your idea even more of assigning napkin rings to everyone and reusing them throughout the day and then washing them. Very smart!

Jerralea said...

I never thought of using washcloths! I usually cut up my old sheets, hem them and then use as napkins.

Unknown said...

What a great idea! And your family is just precious!

Anonymous said...

This is such a neat idea!! You are so crestive and thoughtful and loving... you should DEFINTELY stop by my blog and participate in the jubilee. You have earned it!!

God bless-
Amanda

The Brutsman Family said...

This is a great idea! I might just have to "borrow" it for our family.