Skip to main content

You can re-use that?!?


cloth napkin
dish towels

diaper
mama cloth


We all know that I am a cloth diaper evangelist. Well, I have been thinking, since I love cloth diapers, are there other disposable items I'm using that could easily be replaced with a better, re-usable alternative? Hmm. A short list of the obvious:
In my experience, the cloth versions of these all work better, are more attractive, and are healthier than the disposable alternative. And that is BESIDES the fact that they are all obviously better for the environment! (See here for or here for some explanations of why.) Yet, companies keep on coming out with more and more throw-away products. There definitely are disposable things that I like to use, and probably will continue to do so, such as... Well, I actually can't think of any good examples right now. But I'm not going to stop buying groceries at a grocery store, for now, so let's say, the packages some of my food comes in would be one thing I dispose of after use. However, when I can find an easy, environmentally sound alternative I am trying to switch - I am already using the cloth versions of the items on the list above. In addition, I am really excited about using vinegar and baking soda instead of nasty chemicals for cleaning lots of stuff around the house, including my hair (this will be a future post topic). I recently used old diapers and a vinegar/water solution to clean the windows and it worked great! Besides thinking about re-usable items, I am also thinking about things that I don't want to touch sweet pea's sensitive skin.

Does anyone have any great ideas for other disposable items we could replace with re-usable?

Oh, and yes there are people out there using cloth instead of toilet paper. I’m not there yet, but wouldn’t totally rule it out. Have any of you tried this?
Labels:

Comments

  1. AnnAugust 14, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    I've been using handkerchiefs instead of tissues. I asked for some for my birthday, but old clothing scraps would probably work well too.

    I've been using the cloth pads for about three years now. I like them, but I think the quality of these varies quite a bit by brand. My favorite so far is PIMPs (party in my pants). What do you like? Or do you make yours??

    I'm with ya on the family cloth. Maybe someday, not quite there yet...

    ReplyDelete
  2. AbbyAugust 15, 2009 at 2:22 PM

    Great ideas. We've never used paper towels for some reason. But I definitely think we'll switch from tissues to handkerchiefs. Soulemama posted about making a handkerchief dispenser. It was inspiring.
    http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2009/08/for-handkercheifs.html

    I've been able to downsize on the disposable packaging from the grocery store by bringing cloth bags and jars and shopping the bulk section. I also bring a canvas bag for all the produce, instead of putting each kind into separate plastic bags. When making purchasing decisions, I try to take packaging into account along with price, organic vs. non-organic, etc. I posted about it awhile back here:

    http://newurbanhabitat.com/2009/06/19/parting-with-polymers-12-easy-ways-to-use-less-plastic/

    ReplyDelete
  3. RoseAugust 16, 2009 at 12:18 PM

    Yes, great ideas! I have some threadbare cotton pjs that would make nice, soft hankies.

    We also try to bring re-usable bags to the store, but often forget. Great post, Abby!

    Ann, I use Lunapads and have been happy with them. Next time I buy some I'm thinking I'll go with a WAHM purchase, after reading some reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  4. 3LittleFlowersAugust 17, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    Hello there!! I posted an answer to your question on my blog...

    By the way, I also use mama pags (thinking on changing to Diva Cup), and I have use cloth as toilet paper... Dont do it regulary, but I dont see the big deal out of it... I mean, you only need to see some of my daughter's poopy diapers to know that NOTHING can be worse than that.. LOL...

    Anyway, something that I do all the time, is actually wash myself for #1 (no paper, no cloth) just water and soap.

    ReplyDelete
  5. RoseAugust 17, 2009 at 4:23 PM

    Thanks Momto3LittleFlowers!
    I will plan on a post about packing my husband's lunch for this Friday.
    The Diva Cup also seems like a great option - I may buy one when my cycles come back.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 3LittleFlowersAugust 17, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    Cant wait to see your pics.. I mention it to my hubby and he is all jelaous from your hubby!! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. 3LittleFlowersAugust 21, 2009 at 7:33 AM

    Just wanted to let you know that The Purple Lunchbox is up!! Dont forget to stop by! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Woollybottoms Giveaway

I am hosting my first giveaway! I have been wanting to do this for a while, and I'm so pleased to have it finally planned. The item I chose to give is a new pair of Woollybottoms - wool pants for babies. The retail value of these is $29.00. I have been really into the wool pants thing lately, as you may have noticed from my recent posts (about Nifty Knickers , and my baby blue longies ) so this seems like a good fit. Wool pants can be used as a cloth diaper cover, or just as snuggly warm pants for the winter or for bedtime. These ones are "footies" so they should keep your baby toasty! The pair I am giving to one lucky winner is light blue with fish fabric for the footie part. Maybe a little more boyish than girlie, but Stella would definitely wear these if we got to keep them. They are size medium, and have the following measurements: 8" waist (elastic) 9" rise 18" length Here they are: To enter, simply comment below and let me know why you wan...
47 comments
Read more

Summer 2020 - Life in a Pandemic

I'm in my final week of summer before work as a middle school teacher begins again. This time of year I'm always in a reflective mood.  I look back and feel so lucky to have had this time with my kids. We went camping, biking, boating, golfing, and hiking. We celebrated my sister's wedding, we did projects together, watched movies, and just hung out at home. It really was everything that summer is meant to be. There were many events and plans that we canceled due to Covid, but we did all the most important things. We missed friends, but I also reveled in the togetherness with my little family unit. Today, I spent time registering for fall childcare and activities. It's less than usual, but still I can see the pace of our lives picking up. As we move into a season of more busy-ness, more work, and likely more stress, this poem sums up the feelings I'm experiencing.... Vacation End by Leslie Pinckney Hill From the charm of radiant faces, From the days we took to dream...
1 comment
Read more

Review: Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! There's a Party in My City!

Attending a live show is always a treat. The Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! There's a Party in My City! show last Monday was no exception. We arrived only about ten minutes early, and it felt a little weird to walk into a venue where I normally attend serious plays and musical performances, full of children, toddlers, and babies, many in costume. I had been to see The Color Purple there two days before, and it was quite a different atmosphere! Unsure how Sweet Pea would react to the show before we went, I was a bit overwhelmed at first and so was she, but after the first few acts she settled in to enjoy it and danced along to the music at times. Overall, it was a fun experience for us all and a happy memory to look back on as our first live performance as a family. The show producers, or planners, or whatever they are, included a few extras for the audience that really added to the experience for the kids. There was confetti that shot out over the crowd, a huge balloon d...
Post a Comment
Read more