Eliminate/Reduce paper towels!

Recently I went to Little Rock Arkansas for training from California. There I had a delicious burger at a cool little organic restaurant in North Little Rock called "The Root Cafe". Instead of using paper towels, they had a huge stack of cloth napkins. They varied in color, size and material.

You can usually find napkins or kitchen towels really cheap in thrift stores, bed bath & beyond and the dollar store. I will usually build up a basket full and then wash them then line dry them.

The Root Cafe deserves a shout out for that great idea.
Find them here http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-root-cafe-little-rock

I love this...it is always encouraging when a business manages to set an example. I am 63 yr. and have never bought any paper towels. I have a collection of cloth napkins like you, from thrift stores...really fun to run across nice linen or damask ones. We have a big crock of what we call 'kitchen rags' in the kitchen...for drying iron skillets, spills, etc. and then a big tub in the utility room of other rags...for the floor and other non food things....all selected from thrift store clothes. I especially love the cotton thermal weave knit shirts. We wash and reuse for a long time. The rags keep my kitchen towels cleaner which are also made from thrift store finds...usually really nice all cotton curtains.

Thanks for the link. Next time in Little Rock we will have to find the Root Cafe.

I use rags in place of paper towels. Old t shirts make great rags. I can pick up lots of old clothing for super cheap at the final hour of local rummage sales and moving sales. And the local thrift shop often gives away or sells real cheap a trash can bag load of mixed clothing that they don't want. I cut up the old clothes for "good" rags and throwaway rags. Good rags get laundered and reused. Throwaway rags are good out in the shop or for cleaning up icky messes. I keep a decorative box in the kitchen to hold rags and one in the bathroom, too.

I have been buying cloth napkins and dishcloth from thrift stores for years,
I hang a basket in my kitchen for wet rags once dry they go in an old wicker basket that was free!
Anyway once I have enough for a load of laundry I wash them.
I have an old dog food bucket in the basement to to store the clean ones.
And a drawer in the kitchen for some too.
It feels good to have a system.

I have a lot of cloth napkins stored on a shelf in the bathroom.

I have a terry dishcloth that I use as a napkin.

Dear hubby has a favorite towel that he hangs from the arm of his chair at the table.

Every now and then I collect the dishcloth and towel to wash and then replace with another of the same item.

I haven't bought paper napkins in over 20 years.  I buy paper towels about every four years just to have something quick to grab for spills.