Ditching the Paper

Here is one subject I hadn't given much though to until I started to become involved and interested in the real food movement among others.

In an effort to save money, I've begun looking at the things that I consider "normal" in my life, and one if them is... disposable everything!

Paper Towel, Toilet paper, Napkins, Diapers, Wipes, Tampons, pads... and the list goes on. The entire subject of paper in our homes is entirely too much content for one post, so I will stick to paper napkins and paper towel today.

Ditching paper products in your home is not only environmentally friendly, but it is great for your finances. Right now, the only people in my home are myself, my husband, and my infant son, so the use is minimal for the three of us, but as our family grows, the expense will grow with it, as well as the environmental impact. Advertising has worked very hard to normalize our "disposable life" but 50 years ago, families could not spend money on disposable paper towel or napkins. These were considered luxuries. I truly believe now that we've ditched paper towels and napkins, that the cloth counterparts are the luxury. They are much softer and cleanup is easier, because you don't have to worry about the amount of expensive paper towel or napkins you are using, and when you're done, just toss them in the laundry! I've just placed a pail under my kitchen sink for dirty rags, napkins and kitchen towels, and about once a week, I add them to my laundry. How many times have you been eating chicken wings and gone to wipe your hands only to have your napkin stuck to your hand? Now your hand is dirtier and you need another napkin!!

I'll admit that I don't purchase paper towel, napkins, or toilet paper that often because it's just the three of us, but, when I do, I really feel it financially, and the grocery budget takes a big hit. As someone on maternity leave, and hoping to work minimally to avoid the costs and hassles of daycare, I'm looking for big savings in my home that will put extra money in our pockets over the next 6-10 years of childbearing and raising a family.

As of right now, we no longer purchase napkins. I was able to purchase a great deal of cloth napkins from an online shop at www.etsy.com for a fairly reasonable price. If I was craftier I would have done it myself, but at this time I don't have a sewing machine, nor do I have the room for it in my 2-bedroom condo. So, yes I did pay a little bit more, but I no longer have to purchase napkins ever again. So, at $50 I was able to purchase 36 napkins in super cute colors and patterns, which works out to about $1.40 per napkin.

Wal-Mart sells 100 Bounty Napkins for $2.37/pkg, so after 21 purchases, the cloth napkins have been paid for, which for some people that could be within one year. However, I never have to buy napkins again. Therefore, for the cost of 21 packages of napkins, I've got napkins for life.

Paper towel replacement was less expensive. With the napkins I did pay a little bit more because they will be at my table setting when I have company over, so I wanted them to be cute, with patterns and colors that would match my decor. However, with paper towels, the replacement it even easier.

I have purchased microfiber cloths from the dollar store which cost me about $10-$20, so the cost of about 2-3 packages of paper towel. I use these for things like cleaning windows and mirrors, where the finish really matters. But for other jobs... the switch to reusable has cost me nothing. I have just cut up old shirts that my husband no longer uses or needs for rags, as well as socks that have holes in them and would otherwise end up in the garbage. This has also proven to be a great way to reduce and reuse, saving these ruined items of clothing from going straight to the trash.

Toilet Paper will get its own post- my husband and I have decided to explore a more hygienic and frugal approach to toilet paper. We are on our last package of toilet paper so in a few weeks we'll be making the switch and I can't wait to write about it!!

If you're wondering how to go about making these changes, I find that thinking about how it was done when our grandmothers lived is a great way to help you evaluate the changes you can make.

Have you and your family started to ditch the paper products in your home? What tips can you share? What products have you ditched and why? How did you do it?