Hankie Hankers

[primsong]

I've been trying to do some gradual switching away from consumable paper goods this past year as one of our little economizing things - kind of like more hanging out the wash to dry when I can, changing to cloth napkins (love them!) and the switcheroo on ladies products to washable flannel ones (super love them!). This time it's hankie time. Bought a nice lot of vintage handkerchiefs on Etsy that were being sold as 'imperfect' because they had little pulls, spots, etc. that made them less than desirable for collectors.

As I told the lady, I didn't mind them being less than perfect because I wasn't looking to collect or frame them, I wanted them "for hankies." She wrote back that she loved the idea and had decided to set aside some of the ones she'd been selling in a little basket "as hankies" herself.

I have two little baskets of them so far, looking for some more. We really like them now that we're used to them, they don't disintegrate in your pocket when you wash your clothes for instance, last better and are softer and prettier than kleenex. We figure we'll still use tissues when we're sick as germ-containment but otherwise I'm now wondering why we didn't do this sooner, they're so... nice!

Comments

[estellye.livejournal.com]

A Party in Your Pants order will finally be placed as part of my "going green and non-toxic" tax return usage. I'm thinking I will be a quick convert. Other purchases will include a natural mix-in for white vinegar to be used as fabric softener, a gentle natural laundry detergent, a natural soap for the dishwasher and another for hand washing dishes, and some SLS free shampoo to go with the conditioner I already have. All those items were found on Etsy of course, lol.

I really like the hanky idea. I actually already have a bunch that were my grandmother's and they aren't in collectible condition, either. I think I'll give it a try. I also have to get used to fabric table napkins. I have a tendency to avoid getting them dirty since they are cloth. LOL! I need to get over that.

[primsong.livejournal.com]

My aunt mentioned using vinegar as a clothing softener - she's trying to get away from anything chemical that she can. I'll have to look up how that's done. I wonder if your clothing ends up smelling like pickles, tho'... We've also gone to using castille for bath soap, though I don't really like it as a shampoo, keep on experimenting! If you find something really outstanding, let us know, I'm sure there's other people trying to do the same thing in one way or another.