Anti-paper (Almost)!!

I had an "AHA" moment one day while I was cleaning the mirrors in my bathroom with my vinegar/water mixture.  Why am I using paper towels for this???  This is such a waste, there has to be a better way.

I had started using Marcal Small Steps recycled paper products in my house, which I love, but do I really need to be wasting paper to clean mirrors and surfaces in my house?  Do we really need to be using paper napkins for dinner?  The answer is a resounding NO!

For cleaning I discovered microfiber cloths.  They could be the best thing ever!  I use them for cleaning everything!  Mirrors, counters, shower tiles, any and all surfaces in my house.  They seriously clean so much better than paper towels.  The mirrors in my house clean so much better and easier since I started using them and there is no waste.  I Put them in with the wash and they are ready for the next project.  They are amazing for dusting too, without using any cleaner.

I actually went into my local Big-Lots and saw them one day.  Since they were $1.00 each I thought, "Why Not?".  Even if I hated them it cost me a couple bucks.  Well, I ended up going back and buying about 10 more.

It also hit me one night as I was putting dinner on the table and getting the paper napkins that this was also a waste.  I remember my Mom used to say that we used the cloth napkins for company or for special occasions but paper for regular meals .  Well that's garbage, sorry Mom.  Why not use them every meal?  Why on earth do we need to waste paper?  Even if I am using recycled paper products.  The answer is we don't have to.  I went out and bought some cotton napkins and that is what we now use.  I throw them into the wash and there you go.  To me it feels a little bit fancier each meal, since I grew up thinking that, but I also feel like an idiot for wasting so much that really didn't need to be.

I still buy paper towels, but the three pack of Marcal I buy now lasts for months.  I use it basically to pat down meats and seafood before cooking, which you really don't want to use a anything else for.  

It's funny, once again I find myself feeling like I am living in my grandmother's shoes.  Back then they used to use old cloths and shirts because money was so tight you really had to, now I do it to be better to the environment and stop being so wasteful.  In the end, oddly enough, it does end up saving me money as well.  Go Figure!

Till next blog......