DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Bad Manners and Brimstone
HTML https://badmanners.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Life in General
*****************************************************
#Post#: 19545--------------------------------------------------
Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: CrazyDaffodilLady
Date: November 21, 2018, 6:56 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I stumbled across a Miss Manners column from 2012 (third
letter). I’m interested in hearing what others think about the
napkin issue.
HTML https://www.uexpress.com/miss-manners/2012/12/25/generosity-should-always-be-followed-by
The writer believes it is all right to reuse cloth napkins
without washing. Her son and his wife find this disgusting.
Miss Manners agrees with the writer. (I assume that napkins are
being used/re-used by the same person.)
I don’t mean to offend anyone whose opinion is different from
mine, but I agree with the son. The idea of reusing a cloth
napkin makes my skin crawl, even if the stains and saliva are on
the napkin are my own. Unlike Miss Manners, I am less horrified
by a nice paper napkin than a dirty cloth one.
#Post#: 19546--------------------------------------------------
Re: Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: andi
Date: November 21, 2018, 6:59 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Ewe!! Wash wash wash!!!!
#Post#: 19547--------------------------------------------------
Re: Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: Rose Red
Date: November 21, 2018, 7:09 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
If she actually use it to wipe her fingers and mouth, I would
find it gross too. I would buy an entire stock of inexpensive
napkins and toss them in the laundry basket as they're used.
This way water is not wasted since they have to do the rest of
the laundry anyway.
I cannot believe Miss Manners answer. Answers like this is why I
don't take her word as gospel like some people do.
#Post#: 19549--------------------------------------------------
Re: Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: Pattycake
Date: November 21, 2018, 7:27 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Perhaps, as she said, in days gone by, when the people who could
afford cloth napkins all the time, and engraved napkin rings,
and washing linens was harder, they found it acceptable to reuse
their own napkin, but the times they have a-changed! And I
somehow doubt the LW keeps track of who used which napkin, as
she didn't mention the engraved napkin rings.
#Post#: 19550--------------------------------------------------
Re: Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: STiG
Date: November 21, 2018, 7:28 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
A napkin that was on the table that didn't actually get used? I
could live with that, though I personally wash them regardless.
But a napkin that was used? Even if the same person is going to
use it again the next meal? No. Into the wash it goes. I'd
rather use paper napkins I stole from McDonald's than a used
cloth one!
That's almost as bad as using a handkerchief and stuffing it
back in your pocket to use again tomorrow.
#Post#: 19555--------------------------------------------------
Re: Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: gramma dishes
Date: November 21, 2018, 7:52 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I do own a couple of sets of cloth napkins. I use them for
special occasions. For those times that aren't all that
special, more casual as in "We'll eat in the kitchen", I use
top quality paper towels. They work so much better than those
light and flimsy paper napkins and do so much better with things
like barbecue sauce, etc. No one has ever objected and several
of our friends and family have begun following our lead. :)
#Post#: 19556--------------------------------------------------
Re: Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: MOM21SON
Date: November 21, 2018, 8:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Must be washed!
My DH loves those really thin tea/bar towels. For some reason
he uses a dish towel and it drives me crazy. I always find them
stuffed in the couch. I bleach them. He will be getting a new
batch for Christmas.
#Post#: 19558--------------------------------------------------
Re: Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: guest657
Date: November 21, 2018, 8:29 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
We use cloth napkins most of the time, to reduce waste. I
inherited several sets and picked up quite a few more at thrift
stores or garage sales. We also have a couple of inexpensive
sets of napkin rings, though we rarely use them.
If they get stains or spit on them, I put them in the wash -
which means the children's napkins rarely get re-used.
But if they were barely touched or only have crumbs from our
laps, I shake them out and put them back at the person's plate.
Just for the rest of the day, not indefinitely.
The adults in the house don't usually eat with their hands or
dribble saliva out of their mouths, so the napkins can normally
make it through a day without being soiled or gross.
If we are eating finger food like pizza or hot dogs, we use
paper napkins.
#Post#: 19571--------------------------------------------------
Re: Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: Aleko
Date: November 22, 2018, 5:20 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Ours is a two-person household, and we always use cloth napkins
at dinner, in our personal napkin rings so we know whose is
which. If I'm serving anything particularly messy, or that needs
handwork, I add paper napkins as well. When we have company, of
course they are given cloth napkins matching ours (not in rings)
which go into the laundry basket afterwards. But unless our own
napkins acquire any grease/sauce/other stains, they are
routinely used all week.
I find it bizarre and rather alarming that several people here
say they couldn't contemplate re-using a spotless napkin, even
if they know they are the person who used it previously -
essentially, they feel that just by being laid on their
(clothed) lap it has become !!!CONTAMINATED!!! and must be
washed. Though, tbh, I think I understand why so many people
here report having food intolerances. That level of
hyper-hygiene, carried across all aspects of your life, amounts
to a recipe for an insufficient immune system.
#Post#: 19574--------------------------------------------------
Re: Miss Manners 2012 : Reusing cloth napkins
DIR By: STiG
Date: November 22, 2018, 6:08 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I am far from a germophobe - there are no chemical cleaners or
antibacterial soaps in my house. But a napkin that has been
used has been USED. There will be food residue on them. Which
is why I say I don't reuse them.
But I rarely use cloth napkins and if I do, it's usually a
dinner party. So it is more difficult to keep track of who's
napkin is who's. They all go in the wash.
We're fortunate that we have a green bin program. Anything
compostable, including things you can't put in your backyard
composter like meat and dairy, gets collected. So all the used
paper products go in the green bin and get taken each week with
the garbage. In the spring, you can pick up that compost from
your local landfill and use it on your gardens.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 6
DIR Next Page