Make Your Own Cleaning Rags from Old Clothing

I no longer buy paper towels or paper napkins. Older stained clothes are cut up to use for cleaning, washing cars, windows, and wiping up spills on counters, stoves and floors. I buy used napkins at Goodwill and garage sales - lots of different colors, then mix or match depending on my mood. I have even made napkins from leftover material. Buying less paper products means one less tree is cut down Go Green! Help save our planet for our grandchildren.

By Christie from Poulsbo, WA

Answers:

Make Your Own Cleaning Rags From Old Clothing

Save those buttons as well! Have you seen the prices of buttons these days! They're out of this world! If you don't sew, crochet, or knit, but you know someone who does, then give your "recycled" buttons to them. They'll be GLAD to receive them! Hey! I'll take any buttons off your hand! *grin* (03/10/2008)

Make Your Own Cleaning Rags From Old Clothing

I agree that this is a wonderful "green" thing to do. I also use old clothes, towels, sheets, etc. for the same purposes. I have a friend who takes "green" to the next level on this and uses them as toilet paper and kleenexes as well. If they are not too soiled, they are washed and reused. I have not gone that far with my "going green", but that seems to work out well for their family.

They have a septic system that had problems when they moved in 8 years ago, and they have not had one problem since they have stopped with the paper products. They also only have to have it pumped about every year to year and a half instead of 3 to 4 times a year. Saves them $80 each time! (03/10/2008)

By Caring about our earth

Make Your Own Cleaning Rags from Old Clothing

Don't know about the rest of you but my local Goodwill in west TX is sky high. You gotta know your prices; I've just about stopped shopping thrift stores altogether. I've found I'm better off going to Kohls on Wednesday's senior day and using coupons. Or using coupons at Penny's and some of the other stores. (03/12/2008)

Make Your Own Cleaning Rags from Old Clothing

I've done this for years and years. I was brought up to re-use all those things from worn out sheets to old tea towels to knickers and shirts, etc. Save the buttons, zips and even elastic. It usually helps to hem some of the stuff to prevent fraying out and excess lint (03/12/2008)

By Sharyl

Make Your Own Cleaning Rags from Old Clothing

I couldn't agree more with the rest of you. I stopped using paper napkins and paper towels a little more then a year ago. I don't have an exact amount that I have saved green tree wise or green money wise, BUT I have noticed I don't have to go to the store as often, which means I don't just pick something up because I am there, which means less clutter in my house, which also shows a little more of the green left at the end of the day.

P.S. As far as those buttons go, I am very glad I have saved all of the ones I have. They have been great to keep around for numerous projects and home made things.
(03/21/2008)

By Kaiti