We've switched to CFLs, outfitted the family with Klean Kanteens, dutifully recycle everything we can and are looking for the next painless green step we can make in our household - the reusable hanky. Handkerchiefs have a quaint old fashioned quality to them and many of us have fond memories of our fathers (who likely still carry them) wiping our noses, cheeks and eyes with them over the years.
But with kids around having a single hanky in our pocket isn't going to cut it and we also don't want to be finding used handkerchiefs dropped haphazardly around the house. Allyson Hill has switched to handkerchiefs in her home and has come up with a solution for stockpiling them and collecting them once they're used. She's made clearly labeled "clean" and "dirty" receptacles and placed them around the house for retrieving or depositing hankies. She made fabric versions and as well as labels to put on ceramic bowls (download templates for each on her blog). [Allyson has some organizational gifts - you may remember the product she designs and sells for keeping car backseats tidy.]
One note: Handkerchiefs are ideal for allergies and everyday sneezes and running noses, but to prevent spreading germs, disposable tissues are the way to go when you or your kids have a cold.
posted originally from: OhDeeDoh
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yes, please no hankies when you're sick, unless you're home in bed. when I studied abroad, my french hostess used to tuck her handkerchiefs in the cuff of her sleeve. I didn't think much about it until she was sick with a runny nose. it seemed so unsanitary to have that little glob of germs right next to your hand throughout the day, and I prayed she removed it before she prepared dinner...
cute containers, though. that's definitely the way to go to switch to hankies.
view foodefafa's profile
I don't get it. Why would you want a container out in the open for used hankies? Why not just toss your used hankies directly into the laundry hamper?
view The Green Cat's profile
Cat, I think it's really aimed at children who might not always be conscientious about actually going to the hamper every time. (Note that the original article was on OhDeeDoh.) Seems to me that Allyson Hill is making a virtue of necessity. :)
Besides, we have trash cans all over the house, right? Why not a convenient place (that's cute! bonus) to toss your used hankies, too?
view Elizabeth B's profile
Elizabeth: Interesting point. But I wonder how much harder it is to go to the hamper than to go to the "dirty hankie" bin. I mean, either way you have to walk to a bin when you've decided your hankie is dirty. I don't know about other folks, but I manage to get through an entire day on one hankie so I toss it in the laundry at the end of the day.
view The Green Cat's profile
Lucky! I have massive allergies, so I'm lucky to get by with two or three. It would be nice to be able to use a hanky while I'm sitting at my desk in my home office, and then to just toss the thing into a wee hamper instead of having to interrupt my work flow and get up to go all the way into the bedroom to toss the dirty hankies.
view Elizabeth B's profile
Ah! Good point, Elizabeth. Now I understand and the mini-hamper does make sense in that case. Thanks for clearing that up.
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