feedback for "3 Most Common Mistakes: Going Green"

1. I have one question. You talk about using cloth napkins. However, here in California we are water-stressed on a regular basis. Also, in our city, we have a green bin for compostables, so our paper napkins can be composted. I have been told that using paper may be better than reusing something that has to be washed each time. However, I can't find any real info on this.
   Does anyone have more insight into this. It is something I actually struggle with, as there seems to be no clear answer.
   (Obviously, this does not hold true for things like shopping bags, since you don't have to wash your tote bag and paper bags given at the store are comprised of a lot of material.)

   posted by : gpgirl on 4/22/2009 at 12:45 PM Flag For Abuse

2. We actually don't wash our napkins with every use.  If they are really dirty we do, but usually they last us 2-3 dinners.  Also, the paper companies that make the napkins use more water to make them than you will ever use to wash the cloth ones.  It is the same with cloth diapers.

   posted by : ashersmom on 4/22/2009 at 1:28 PM Flag For Abuse

3. This article could have been great --but it falls way short.  It lacks a breadth of specific ideas for making some green changes and also doesn't articulate examples of how parents can shop smarter and make good choices about green products.  As a "discussion" from the editors, it felt pretty lame. 
   

   posted by : MaineMom on 4/22/2009 at 2:21 PM Flag For Abuse

4. Only comment I have - Cloth napkins are considered "weird"?  By whom?  I don't know anyone who regularly uses paper napkins except at picnics.  I know more people who use their shirtsleeves than who use paper.  Cloth napkins have been considered "classy" for generations - thus quirky/fancy/odd napkin rings, etc.  I appreciate the suggestion, but am just surprised that it's not the default for most people.  Oh - we wash them every three or four days.  I have lots of them, too, so we have winter/holiday, spring, summer, etc. patterns.  Way fun.

   posted by : cotton and silk on 4/22/2009 at 4:44 PM Flag For Abuse

5. I have only used cloth napkins at fancy dinners.  I grew up using paper napkins at every meal and don't know anyone who uses cloth napkins regularly.  Of course nowadays we live like barbarians don't use napkins at all, we just keep a couple of wet washcloths on the high chair.
   

   posted by : calicopie on 4/22/2009 at 9:31 PM Flag For Abuse

6. I don't know anyone who uses cloth napkins except when out to dine, or at fancy dinners.  That said, I'm planning on cloth diapering when my twins are born this August.  I just wouldn't feel good about two babies worth of diapers in landfills.  And I'm not even that "green".  I recycle, though.
   I agree with a previous poster though, this article could have used more suggestions for those "baby steps".
   

   posted by : Marj on 4/22/2009 at 10:29 PM Flag For Abuse

7. It takes less water to wash cloth napkins then it probably takes to use paper napkins, even if they are recycled and they are composted. Paper products (paper bags, paper plates etc) take a TON of water to make. My tip would be to add the napkins to a load of laundry you already do as to not waste more water. This article did not go very far with green tips, but the Enviromoms website has lots of great information. I completely agree with the anything advertised as green probably isn't. My favorite has been the so called "eco-cloth", an overpriced auto cleaning cloth advertised as an alternative to paper towels. Any old cloth (we used old t-shirts when I was growing up) would work just as well.
   

   posted by : Brooke Johnson on 4/22/2009 at 10:42 PM Flag For Abuse

8. Thanks for everyone for the info on cloth vs. paper napkins!

   posted by : gpgirl on 4/22/2009 at 11:38 PM Flag For Abuse

9. Reusing napkins is like wiping your face with bacteria infested paper.
   www.RichardsPalace.com

   posted by : richardspalace1 on 4/23/2009 at 3:08 PM Flag For Abuse