Choose Cloth Over Paper

In addition to reusable cloth grocery bags, you can choose cloth in other ways. Several years ago, when I was in college, some friends and I drove from Swarthmore to Little Rock to spend spring break in the South. We had a great time, and my mom enjoyed getting to know my friends better. One of them was an environmentalist; he recycled, was a vegetarian, chose reusable mugs over paper or styrofoam, used handkerchiefs, you get the idea. After we used paper napkins for a few meals, he asked my mother if she had ever considered using cloth napkins instead of paper ones. Well, my mother's frugal person and a seamstress, and she always has extra fabric around the house, so we had cloth napkins by the end of the week!

Here are some reasons you may want to use cloth napkins too:

* Cloth napkins are less expensive, even with washing. Just throw them in with your regular load. That's what we do.

* Cloth napkins are easy to make. You can use almost any spare or scrap fabric, reducing the cost even further. Here are some other directions, if you prefer.

* Cloth napkins last forever or pretty close to it. This dramatically cuts down paper waste.

Some folks think cloth napkins are a little too fancy for everyday use. But remember, you can make them out of anything (prints, colors, cottons, not just white or black linen), and once you use your cloth napkins with some buffalo fish or some barbecue, you'll forget you ever thought they were 'too fancy.' They can be keepsakes too! My mother made the napkins for our wedding, and after laundering them, gave sets to family members (including us) to mark the occasion. We love using our wedding napkins for everyday meals, as it reminds us of our wonderful day.

My mother still uses cloth napkins exclusively, and she gave me my first batch just after I got my first apartment. So give cloth napkins a try. You may never go back to paper.

During the first few years of life, most babies go through 6000-7000 diaper changes. That's a lot a diapers, particularly when they're going into landfills. Thankfully there's a better option: cloth diapers. Here are just a few reasons why:

* Cloth diapers are less expensive than disposables when you wash them yourself. And the laundry burden isn't that great: just two extra loads a week. Remember, if you have more than one child, your cost per change is even less since you can reuse the diapers.

* Cloth diapers make potty training easier since they don't mask the feel of wetness like disposables. Some studies show cloth diapered children potty train 6 months earlier than those wearing disposables.

* Cloth diapers are more 'breathable'. This may help prevent diaper rash, and the diapers keep your baby cooler in hot weather.

"But aren't cloth diapers too much trouble?"

Not anymore. Today's cloth diapers are MUCH BETTER than they used to be! They come in various styles, many of which are as easy to use as disposables. They're already folded, require no dunking in the toilet, or boiling; and forget about pins. Today's diapers have Velcro or multiple snaps enabling you to continue to use the diapers as your baby grows. If you hated those plastic pants from before, try today's diaper covers and all-in-one diapers. And the absorbent liners make cloth diapers perfect for nighttime.

So before you nix the idea of cloth diapers, do a littleresearch and consider cloth diapers. They may well be the very best option for your baby, your wallet, and our earth.

"Paper napkins never return from a laundry - nor love from a trip to the law courts." - John Barrymore, American stage and film Actor. 1882-1942