Cloth napkins with kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the people who say they rarely get anything on their napkins and reuse them for several days... Why even use napkins? Serious question. I’ve started setting he table with paper napkins because my DH always always gets one, but prior to this and prior to have kids I just didn’t see the need. I can wash my hands after dinner if need be... by unless I’m eating fried chicken or something I’m not touching the food with my hands anyway. And DH more often than not just uses his napkin to blow his nose right after eating and not necessarily for wiping his mouth, so I’d just as soon get rid of his napkin too.

If you accidentally drop food in your lap, wouldn't you rather it go on a napkin than your clothes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the people who say they rarely get anything on their napkins and reuse them for several days... Why even use napkins? Serious question. I’ve started setting he table with paper napkins because my DH always always gets one, but prior to this and prior to have kids I just didn’t see the need. I can wash my hands after dinner if need be... by unless I’m eating fried chicken or something I’m not touching the food with my hands anyway. And DH more often than not just uses his napkin to blow his nose right after eating and not necessarily for wiping his mouth, so I’d just as soon get rid of his napkin too.

If you accidentally drop food in your lap, wouldn't you rather it go on a napkin than your clothes?

I guess I sit far in enough that if I drop food it would fall on my plate...? I don’t know, I honestly don’t like the napkin thing but I admit I’m from a different culture and we think paper napkins and a plate for every little snack is a waste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We started using them after buying a set at a yard sale. They feel better then paper napkins and look pretty on the table. We have 40 or so now, and change them out every other day (family of three). Need to get a company set (or make some). I hated the waste of paper napkins and have loved the switch up.

We’re starting to use waxed cloth on place of disposable wrap too, it feels better to use as well. We use a mix of dish towel, rags, and paper towels for cleaning up...still working on that one.

Where do you keep your once used napkins that will get another use before washing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the people who say they rarely get anything on their napkins and reuse them for several days... Why even use napkins? Serious question. I’ve started setting he table with paper napkins because my DH always always gets one, but prior to this and prior to have kids I just didn’t see the need. I can wash my hands after dinner if need be... by unless I’m eating fried chicken or something I’m not touching the food with my hands anyway. And DH more often than not just uses his napkin to blow his nose right after eating and not necessarily for wiping his mouth, so I’d just as soon get rid of his napkin too.

If you accidentally drop food in your lap, wouldn't you rather it go on a napkin than your clothes?

I guess I sit far in enough that if I drop food it would fall on my plate...? I don’t know, I honestly don’t like the napkin thing but I admit I’m from a different culture and we think paper napkins and a plate for every little snack is a waste.

I agree with you, but my toddlers are messy and like a napkin at every meal. With paper napkins they were going through 2 a meal x 3 meals. It was excessive and now they just use cloth. DH and I are neat eaters and I use my fork better than my kids.

[Anonymous]

At dinnertime, yes, and we don't reuse them. I don't eat lunch at the house.

Cloth napkins and burp cloths (what I use to wipe the little one clean after eating) get dumped in the washing machine after each dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We started using them after buying a set at a yard sale. They feel better then paper napkins and look pretty on the table. We have 40 or so now, and change them out every other day (family of three). Need to get a company set (or make some). I hated the waste of paper napkins and have loved the switch up.

We’re starting to use waxed cloth on place of disposable wrap too, it feels better to use as well. We use a mix of dish towel, rags, and paper towels for cleaning up...still working on that one.

Where do you keep your once used napkins that will get another use before washing?

I check them to see if they are good for another use, then refold to each person’s spot at the table. OR they get used as a rag that day. They go into household laundry when done. The white ones I occasionally bleach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up with them (and yes, also napkin rings! But those were for when company joined us for dinner).

I use dishtowels from IKEA, which are much cheaper than napkins. And are you all washing them after every use? I change them out once a week, unless something makes them particularly dirty.

Omg what? You reuse the same napkins for a whole week without washing them? That’s disgusting. Gag.

I agree. Gross.