11 June 2008

The Mommy Paper Towel Challenge

So last night my friend Mary and her two kids came over and we were discussing paper towels and "bar rags." Basically, in an effort to cut down on both spending and waste, we have both purchased these "bar rags" from Target/Walmart and are cleaning with them instead of paper towels. Right now I use Bounty paper towels, the "pick a size" kind, and I use them for picking up cat poop (argh), child sized napkins, wiping tables and cleaning icky things. I also buy sponges for washing dishes.

So, here's the challenge. I just bought paper towels, so I have about 15 rolls. I'm going to try to make it to the end of the year (December 31, 2008) without buying any more paper towels, or sponges. I have one pack of bar rags, I'm going to buy one more. I'm also going to buy a pack of dish rags for the dish washing. And finally, I have 4 cloth napkins, so I'm going to keep an eye out for more on sale and stock up on those. (Target clearances them for like 4/$1 periodically). The budget for this project is $25.00.

Who's with me?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I started this in January with all my 'green' resolutions!

I use a scrubby brush thing (from IKEA) to wash the dishes, rags (old washclothes) to wipe counter, windows, etc. Dish towels or cloth napkins for us (we like the teatowels as napkins sometime. Not as fancy, but softer).

I keep a roll of paper towels in the cabinet....just in case the dog barfs or something. I'm not *that* green. Yet.

Anonymous said...

You do know sponges are nasty, right?! EW!!!!

However, we do try to use cloth napkins (until they're all nasty dirty and no one wants to wash 'em) and I never use paper towel for cleaning, but I suppose I could stop using it for washing mirrors/windows and as napkins... Thanks for the tip. I'm with you!!!

Jaime said...

Kim, let me clarify- I don't have an issue with sponges. I just don't want to pay for them anymore! You don't know how dirty I am by now?

Katrina said...

That is a great idea!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you!!! I have a bunch of paper towels in my basement stockpile right now, and I'm going to stop buying them. I'll have to push harder to get Jay on board, though.... When the PT roll runs out, I don't even refill it anymore! He ended up going downstairs to get some today when the dog pooped on the floor. Barf. Honestly, six months ago, I probably went through a roll every two days. This is a very big change in me!

Secret Garden Supper Club said...

We have a one year old baby and we use bar rags for all sorts of cleanups.
I rarely (if ever) have a roll of paper towels on hand.
My mom knits dishrags and washrags and without fail I get 2 at every holiday plus my bday. Those things are awesome!!

Secret Garden Supper Club said...
This comment has been removed by the author.