We’re not sharing hankies with anyone else, and hands normally get washed after blowing, so I don’t have a problem using them more than once before washing. Norm, I was kind of surprised nobody commented on that part either. Another nifty idea is to use the same side each time once it’s been opened and used.It’s easier to find a clean spot and even well-used handkerchieves appear unused from the other(clean)side if anyone is looking-a good point of etiquette.This is true even for white or pastels unless the fabric is on the sheer side.Womens’ floral print handkerchieves are a plus because they can appear unused even after a lot of use,and they’re pretty to look at. It seems to me that handkerchiefs are greener than tissues. They always used leaves, or in later days magazine pages or just washed after using the bathroom. As far as the moisture in the hanky goes… without going into graphic detail, I’ll just say that it all works out somehow and hasn’t been an issue for me. I’m so glad I found your site and will consider buying your book too as I have started on my journey to home made products. 53061 We no longer have to worry about running out of tissues. But using cloth hankies more than once before washing? GOOD IDEA. Shelley–Love that you keep your handkerchieves in so many places so you’ll always have one.I keep several in my go-bag and jacket, and a half dozen each,mixed mens’ and ladies’ in the kitchen,bathroom and living room-really convenient that way.Using it once is a little severe really.If you blow your nose reasonably often,there really isn’t time for bacteria to attain appreciable numbers and many are not pathogens anyway.You should enjoy using each one more! Also, DIY body wash saves money and is great for gift giving. One of my Indian friends was over when he had a runny nose and what he would do is go to the bathroom, blow his nose into his hands, and wash them. Just discovered your site this evening by way of Amazon (your book came up as a recommendation). . Connect with Betsy on Facebook, Twitter, and her +Betsy Jabs Google profile. As you are already on cloth pads, have you considered switching from tampons to a menstrual cup? Then one day I had the mother of all colds. Now I am going to give handkerchiefs a shot. Do you use strictly plain white cotton/silk hankys cause they are the best for your nose? Initially created to remove cold cream from women’s faces, the broader application became clear when men started using their wives’ tissues to blow their noses. (And if this grosses you out, you can always grab a fresh hanky!). (My latest ‘re-purposing’ was to turn a pair of my DH’s cute boxer shorts into a headscarf and matching wrist band – he’d only worn them once and they got mangled – don’t know if it was Ddog that chewed them or the washing machine!). The only way to ‘kill’ germs is to launder in hot water and soap after every use- Chlorine bleach also works but is toxic if inhaled and damaging to the environment and patterns. People are so over obsessed with germs these days, they need to realise germs are everywhere, we can’t avoid them. Yes. Most important, though, she’d be proud of your frugality. Try bringing a couple hankies with you, tucked in a coat pocket or backpack, next time you venture out. My allergies are really hyped up this season after such a warm winter. Would you consider using handkerchiefs instead of tissues or do you think it’s too gross? Really, whatever you want. I have a DivaCup also. I have fully replaced facial tissues with pretty lady hankies! Wikipedia has some decent info on the concept. ‘ Toilet paper? Wee is sterile so I reckon it should be OK to use a cloth. Like cloth diapers, they handled the dirty work, provided gentle protection, and came clean to serve again and again. It produces less waste/saves resources. They ’ re environmentally friendly, as it takes three times the amount of energy to produce pulp to create virgin fibre tissues, compared to a cotton handkerchief.. No big deal at all, right? I have found that switching over to hankies, and completely ditching disposable facial tissue, is really just a matter of mentally overcoming the “ewww” factor. Voila! Each purchase thoughtfully comes with elastic ties (and a quick tutorial) on how to convert your cloth into a DIY face mask. I just ordered some hanky books. However, I did NOT let people know about my hanky use right away – I was a closeted hanky user for a while. Then, I had a combination “duh!” / “aha!” moment as I held an inherited hankie. The white fuzz left on Matt’s face after using facial tissues is a thing of the past. I imagine the family cloth would feel nicer to use than toilet paper, but I wouldn’t have the discipline to keep up with the laundry required to keep my home smelling sweet! A homemade body wash that is moisturizing and natural is simple to make. I got a DivaCup a few years back, and it is still going strong. And I used to use reusable sanitary pads when I still had the need (I’d better explain – I ~am~ female – ‘Norm’ is a nickname) and I managed to keep them sanitary. These cloth pieces can serve as handkerchiefs or tea towels or even decorative wall pieces. I used to love coordinating all the cute tissue boxes with my bathrooms (wow, that’s marketing at its finest), but  I estimate we probably spent $20-$40 per year just on facial tissue. These high-quality organic handkerchiefs come in your choice of two cottons: brushed (which is softer and thicker; good for sensitive noses during cold season) and woven (lighter, thinner, like sheets). I now carry a hanky in my pocket or purse, leave one on my dresser, and a stack in the bathroom. In the past, when the last tissue had been used, we would grab for toilet paper and frantically run to add tissues to the grocery list. After learning about the bacteria in our noses and that they double every 20 min at room temp, I now get a fresh one after every use. It’s true, as a society we’re soo afraid of germs when they are just natural. If you love patterns, these sweet squares come in 20 styles, including Penguin, Parasol, and (my fave) Persian Cat Meow. We don’t use hankies in place of toilet paper, but there is a large community of people who use “family cloth,” which is basically reusable toilet paper. I personally don’t use tissue very often, I get sick once every three to five years but I now have children who catch the normal colds going around every year. I know some guys at work that use them too. I also privately wondered whether it wasn’t a little gross to blow your nose into a tiny blanket that you then stuffed back in your pocket. Even my 15 yo daughter uses a hanky everyday. Love keeping a hankie in my makeup bag … it comes in handy for watery eyes due to allergies or while enjoying time outdoors when it’s hot. They save me money long-term and are a zero-waste alternative to box after box of tissue. You look like you could use a little more support, positivity, and warmth right now. Ad Choices, 12 Lovely Handkerchiefs So You Never Have to Buy Tissues Again. I do wash or sanitise my hands after using a tissue anyway. Meant as a keepsake, each handkerchief comes delicately printed with messages tailored for a variety of important people in your life: Mom, Dad, step-parents, grandparents, new parents, and more. Woot! It was a slow switch but I finally got my hubby and daughter on board. We laugh at those every time the commercials air! It sounds like to me that a company is trying to make more money to pay for their stock holders who expect a ten percent increase in stocks each year. Also, DIY body wash saves money and is great for gift giving. We’ve read that others in the “family cloth” community only use the cloth for #1…so you’re off to a great start with this idea. Really?? They are helpful for snuff-users too, as my son will attest too as he uses the batch we sewed together. I was already using bar towels instead of paper ones, so why not jump on the handkerchief train? In time, you may start to coordinate them with your clothes — the way Grandma did. Use whatever you’re comfortable with and keep taking steps! Did you like the article or my blog? My nephew always wants to use a hanky each time he sees his grandpa pulling one out of his pocket…and he’ll try to mimic the loud, trumpet-like blowing noises of his grandpa. If so, please do consider buying me a coffee to support me to support you ️! I’m sure you could get them sanitized, if you really wanted to but I think it would take a lot of work for that to be safe. I have allergies that cause a constant runny nose. Congratulations on the big switch! So when we use cloth diapers and hankies, we are essentially going back to a time where we had less waste and used healthier, more natural options. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 1/1/20) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 1/1/20) and Your California Privacy Rights. They’re all cotton…soft on my nose and they wash very well. I’ve also got into the habit of coughing into my elbow instead of my hands in an effort to reduce germ spreading. She loves using DIY Natural as a way to educate people to depend on themselves to nourish their bodies and live happier healthier lives. DIY Natural™ is a trademark of The Jabs Group, LLC. One writer’s roundup of cotton handkerchiefs, which are reusable alternatives to tissue, useful, and great for daily use and special occasions. As years pass, however, I increasingly adopt my parents’ practicality, as well as their concern over the impact of waste on the environment. My reasoning is this – if I’m having a wee I just use toilet paper. Ha. Best IDEA YET! I also inherited my grandma’s and use them all the time. (I kind of miss being able to laugh at this.) Cute. With hankies, you can grab a fresh one whenever your current one is getting icky, and you can forget about a trip to the store. Pumpkin Crafts: Make Pumpkins Out of Plastic Bags! Betsy holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling, and for nearly a decade worked as an elementary counselor. Non-Greasy & Absorbable Shea Body Butter RecipeThis is a wonderful non-greasy shea body butter recipe that works very well. Loved it enough to subscribe via Google Reader! My son has outgrown last summer’s tshirts so I’m sure I’ll be re-purposing those very soon. Your Rudolph comment made me laugh! Hankies won’t create trouble in a load of laundry if accidentally left in a pocket–and we’ve all had this laundry mis-hap with tissues. A creamy homemade lotion recipe that yields a natural hand and body moisturizer that repairs dry skin. Scotamalone White 100% Cotton Handkerchiefs (12-pack), Umo Lorenzo Cotton Handkerchief Set (6-pack), The Zero Waste Maker’s Handkerchiefs (4-pack), Ripples by Rhiannon Handkerchiefs (2-pack), Lalie et Laly Small Cotton Handkerchiefs (5-pack), Lillian Rose Wedding Happy Tears Keepsake Hankie, Rani Organic Cotton Hand-Block Printed Handkerchiefs, Organic Hankies Co. Handkerchiefs in Black (3-pack), Cyberoptix White Pocket Squares With Initial (3-pack). They take up very little space in the laundry and prevent our trash from filling up so quickly.