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You know you love it- the disposable convenience of a paper product which is there at the ready whenever you need it. You know it's clean. It's the right size. It's absorbent (sort of) and soft (not really), and always handy (until you run out). Okay, so maybe you never really thought much about it, but what do you think people used before the disposable age?
This instructable will teach you how to free yourself from the paper demon, while doing something useful with some junk you already have on hand.
This instructable will teach you how to free yourself from the paper demon, while doing something useful with some junk you already have on hand.
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Signing UpStep 1Materials Needed
All you really need is some fabric and scissors. I like to use old T-shirts. Use something soft and absorbent. Old receiving blankets, flannel shirts, fabric remnants, and that sort of thing work really well.
If you have access to a serger (the kind of sewing machine that has 3 or 4 spools of thread and cuts the seam allowance off while finishing off the edge), that would be best. You don't need it though. You can finish the edges with a regular sewing machine too. Or don't finish them, if you are using flannel or T-shirt fabric, it won't fray.
Many stores which sell sewing machines will let you "test drive" for as long as you want. Just bring in your project and have a seat! You'll be done in 10 minutes or less anyway.
If you have access to a serger (the kind of sewing machine that has 3 or 4 spools of thread and cuts the seam allowance off while finishing off the edge), that would be best. You don't need it though. You can finish the edges with a regular sewing machine too. Or don't finish them, if you are using flannel or T-shirt fabric, it won't fray.
Many stores which sell sewing machines will let you "test drive" for as long as you want. Just bring in your project and have a seat! You'll be done in 10 minutes or less anyway.
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I hope she's still around, terrorizing small children.
Otherwise, maybe she's keeping cherubs clean.
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would it really help that much?
whenever considering a "green" move, there are important numbers to crunch (or at least consider):
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Firstly, how seriously does your current method Hurt/Benefit the environment? In this case we should ask:
-how much of the paper used for towels is post consumer?
-can the paper be recycled?
-how much electricity / waste does the recycling consume (almost never considered)
-how many acres of wood are cut per quantity of product?
-what sort of wood is used?
-is there a reforestation plan in place by the company? (Simpson paper planted 2 trees for every one they cut down)
-Is this product a byproduct of another necessary process? (a lot of budget paper products are almost 100% pre-consumer "head" waste or post consumer waste)
-What level of problematic optical brighteners, fillers, clays, and other chemicals are present in the product?
-are there better companies/brands/similar products that are better and do not require a lifestyle change?
In what ways does the replacement Hurt/Benefit the environment?
In this case, we should ask:
-what is the cost (environmentally) of creating the product? (needle and thread and a bit of electricity, probably not a big deal)
-what additional environmental impacts are incurred by using the product? (imagine running one more load of laundry a day, its not unlikely with a productive baby and 3 napkin/dirty dish laden meals)
-what wastes are eventually produced? (cotton, probably not a big issue)
-what byproducts are produced? (not likely a big deal with junk t-shirts)
-is there a better use for the materials? (good will, salvation army[even torn/worn clothing is cannibalized for fabric], even consignment thrift stores)
What non-environmental impacts will this have?
in this case we should ask:
-what is the wash vs trash cost difference?
-what is the wash vs trash labor difference?
-what changes will there be in comfort/results?
-what extended impacts will this change have, if adopted by the wider population; and are any of them negative?
-is there a concealed "resource sink"? (In this case electricity and chemical detergents)
I love it when all decisions, both good and bad, are subjected to this level of scrutiny.
I use flour sack cloths and old really think bath towels and I use it with vinegar so I can keep it in the kitchen and not have to keep throwing it in the wash. I will use one all day long on a long cooking day. A huge green move is to stop running these drain cleaners down pipes..Use vinegar and baking soda and you will never have to..think of whatever you throw down the drain as something you will have to eat one day and this will stick in a person's mind...
I actually prefer cloth handkerchiefs and napkins myself, but use paper towels around the kitchen, or for those really messy messes (that I don't want to see afterwards)
I was simply trying to comment on the common "all paper is bad" sentiment that I see thrown around very lightly by a lot of people... I'm not implying that any poster here has come out with that, but I've heard it from hundreds of people over my life.
cue rant:
I grew up in Gilman, VT which was a mill town until recently. (the Gilman Mill, Wassau Paper, and the Berlin Pulp Mill closed in the early 2000's) Almost everyone in the town was either working at the mill, or supporting those who did. In fact, the entire town, school and all, was originally created to give mill workers a place to live, and was mostly paid for by the mill. Without the mills in the area, there are fewer other businesses, and a lot higher unemployment. The "Top of the Hill" store now makes almost all of its money off cheap beer in large quantities.
Periodically, we'd have moments that reminded us of how their was a strong sentiment against paper mills. When the Gilman Mill was owned by GP, who did a lot of paper products that were low chemical, high post consumer/head waste, on a particularly cold day, the local news came out and took some footage of a "working mill" They later ran the footage of steam venting from the high stack in a piece on pollution. They left the viewer believing it was smoke. at the local grocery stores, there were a couple of clerks who harassed customers who used paper instead of plastic. What their logic was is beyond me, but the paper users were "killing trees" to their minds.
America has placed heavy restrictions on paper mills. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but at the same time, we've embraced free trade. The combination is ridiculous. We are losing mills, losing jobs, and allowing more destructive methods of creating paper by making it cheaper to make and sell paper in less restricted countries. At the same time, people are shunning and protesting the remaining American mills (it happened at the Gilman Mill when it was Simpson Paper).
Finally, I just want to put out a "fact" list that might inform some readers:
-most US paper companies farm trees. They grow them to be cut. because they replant, they are NOT taking our forests.
-raw paper is biodegradable, only the whiteners, clays, and fillers cause environmental issues by trashing.
-most economy-style paper products are a low filler, high post/pre consumer product.
-GP, Simpson and others still have US mills, GP also makes many of the aforementioned economy products
-foreign paper is often created with much less care for the environment, as restrictions are often lower.
-The US actually considered giving the contract for backup producer of our own currency paper to a dutch mill (I don't know what the outcome of that was, except that the Gilman Mill didn't get it)
So, if you like paper products (its always down to a choice), but want to be more green, Buy US, Buy Cheap, and lobby against Free Trade...
I have never worked for a paper company, but I've seen the good they can do environmentally. Responsible forest management, maintaining hydro plants and building the economy. (people of higher income tend to be more likely to make green moves than the destitute)
sorry to hijack the thread for this, but I really wanted to get that out there for anyone with the "hate paper" mindset...
Just like you cannot compost all animal waste for instant using bat guano and cat scat. Toxoplasmosis is possible and can blind or kill humans when the waste breaks down if you do a "homemade" version Everyone likes to think they can just "do something in their backyard" like making wine or beer or canning food but even with those science is involved and if you don't know what you are doing you can kill yourself and your family. Statistically I heard once 80 percent of people who die due to natural causes are for unknown reasons..I wonder why. Good for people to read up these subject from how to books from the 70's like the Foxfire books .