Thursday, March 4, 2010

Rag Tag

Our small change for March is not groundbreaking. It is not original or progressive in any way. In fact, families have been doing this for centuries. I hope you're not too disappointed.

My family is going to make a greater effort to use rags (I know, last month I wrote about trash, this month...rags. Can I bore you any more? But for the sake of the One Small Change challenge, bear with me). We have already cut out paper goods for the most part—we use cloth napkins, dishrags and the like, but I have a confession to make. We almost always have a roll of paper towels in the house. Yes, we buy the 100% recycled kind and use them sparingly, but still. I suppose we keep them on hand because there are some messes that I just can't bear the thought of having to do any more with than just get rid of, and fast. Like cat puke, or a dead mouse dragged in by said cat.

Part of me has been wanting to do away with paper towels for a while now, so I decided that if we just have enough rags, an over-abundance of them, then it would be no big deal if a few needed to get tossed every now and then. So we went through the drawers and found the clothes that were too stained or otherwise destroyed to go in the donate pile. Then we cut them up, making our already-impressive stash of rags even more plentiful.

Now all our cat-related messes and beyond, that I just can't bear the thought of throwing in the wash, can be wiped up with a rag and immediately disposed of. And the rag bucket under the sink will still be overflowing. (Now? I just need to come up with a clever way to store those rags, that would make them more easily accessible. Suggestions welcome.)

Bonus! The girls had fun saving the 'good parts' of the clothes we cut up. The embroidery, buttons, ruffles, and appliques were carefully cut off and gathered up for some future crafty fun.

8 comments:

  1. That's a great change, and it's so nice knowing that you can use old shirts etc. even as rags. I started using my no sew rag bags for holding all of our kitchen towels and it has really worked out well. I can stuff a lot of rags in each bag and they are hanging on the edge of a counter so the kids can reach them easily in case of spills etc. I love all the "good bits" can't wait to see what you do with them.
    http://theprairiegirl.com/sewing/no-sew-rag-bags/

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  2. excellent choice. they are so handy and far more absorbent than paper towels!
    check out my blog tomorrow, amy!
    nicola
    http://whichname.blogspot.com

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  3. This is great. I've been wanting to do this for awhile and I think now I just might make the switch!

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  4. Great idea for this month - I haven't bought paper towels for a long time and I don't miss them as much as I always thought I would! Love the special bits off the rag clothes - looks like you could have a lot of fun with those! :D

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  5. I know. It can be depressing. Even if it's frightfully virtuous. Luckily, you are one of the funniest women I know! So, it's not just about rags and garbage and being virtuous! It's that, and a big heart with a great sense of humour! :)

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  6. This sounds great...and yes it is funny how paper towels have just been around recently, but some how we feel like we can't live without them. I am so glad you are joining so many others in getting rid of the paper towels! And by re purposing old clothes it makes for a great small change!
    Feel free to stop by any time this month and let us know how it is going! http://1smallchangeblog.blogspot.com/
    Suzy

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  7. Hey mama! I hope your March change is going great so far!!

    Make sure to stop by the One Small Change blog to enter into our latest giveaway and see what the community is up to!
    http://1smallchangeblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/giveaway-reusable-produce-bags.html

    We also started a face book fan page which can be accessed from the blog! :)

    Thanks!
    Suzy

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  8. I use paper towels for cat messes, too, and for soaking up grease for bacon or taco shells. But rarely anything else. My husband, however, thinks it's great to use them instead of a plate when he makes a sandwich or heats up a burrito. It makes me so mad! I had to hide all the paper plates from him, because he likes to use those for no good reason, too! I've actually been thinking of making some towels for him to use, if he really cannot handle using a plate. :)

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