Yes, I care about the environment, but there are other reasons for my earthy ways.
I have the mentality of having lived through the depression. I did not, but my grandparents did. Some of their approach to life has rubbed off on me—although selectively. Gas prices—I never pay attention. Parking meters—I will walk a mile to avoid feeding quarters. I am a world of contradictions. I shun wasting food to my detriment, but I will spend a weeks pay on a good meal. Twice I gave myself food poisoning to avoid waisting the contents of my refrigerator. Did I learn my lesson? Yes! I got a meal and was able to easily skip a few more resulting in unexpected savings and lost a couple of pounds to boot. Hence, there is always a Silver Lining!
Paper towels are unsightly and uncomfortable to use on the face in place of a cloth napkin. I use rags for wiping up spills and towels for drying hands and cloth napkins for meals. Even when we have a house full of guests I use linen. Oddly enough, I enjoy folding napkins and love the sight of them in my cabinet.
Here is another factoid about me. One thing I hate more than waste is a damp towel from multiple uses in a guest bathroom. If I were to send in a PostSecret , it would be that I rarely use towels in people's bathrooms. I can be quite creative in how I dry my hands in your home. I will use the fancy, ‘do not disturb’, never-been-touched towels with the monogramming. Or if it’s a nasty bathroom, I will use Toilet paper, Kleenex or my own pants. As a last resort, I will use the back corner of the hand towel. I have issues. There! Now, I don’t need to send in my postcard—once again, saving paper! And at least I don’t bring my own towels to your house. Wait! That’s a great idea!
Problem Solved, Beautifully!
For my own home, I got the answer to the scanky hand towel by attending a party at a friend’s house. They installed a paper towel holder in their bathroom. No germs—but the wastefulness kept me up at night. I liked the idea of paper towels in the bathroom for guests so that my germaphobe friends can avoid drying their hands on my curtains. I am sure there are a ton of people like me who have an aversion to using a community hand towel. But as you know, I am earthy! So, I bought some wash clothes, cut off the tags—they are unsightly—and put them in a cute basket. Then I had my daughter make this ‘guest towel’ sign and added a matching ‘soiled linen’ basket. Guest have a clean, mini towel to dry their hands! Now I sleep better knowing that my friends and family don’t have to wipe their hands on their pants or spread H1N1 to a house full of people. Problem solved!
Green Can Be So Pretty!
Soiled Linens, Naughty Kittens!
One Last Pretty Tip!
I bought inexpensive wash clothes from Target. They fade with washing, so make sure you cycle them through and put the freshly laundered towels at the bottom of the stack so they all get used equally and fade equally. It's the details that matter. Trust me.
Great article. Your witty writing makes me smile! You are a great steward, not only of God's creation but also your talents. I'm glad you share them with me...
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