Paper Napkins Vs. Cloth Napkins

Switching from paper to cloth is easy, cheap and affordable. Linen napkins are not just for the holidays or during special occasions; they can be used every day. Not only do they reduce paper consumption around the home, they can save you money too. Also, linen napkins add a touch of elegance to your dining experience particularly if you have invited guests over. More important, linen napkins are reusable. They can be easily hand washed in cold water and allowed to air dry and since they do not take much room, you can simply add them to your load of laundry. However, if you plan to use linen napkins everyday you may want to consider purchasing darker colors instead of white because stains show quickly on white linens.

You can purchase a set of 6 linen napkins at JC Penney or Walmart for around $14. A cheaper alternative can be found at efavormart where you can purchase a pack of 5 linen napkins for $3.50 (not including shipping costs). According to Green Guide magazine, you can save up to $1.68 per week by switching to cloth napkins, which is equivalent to $87.36 per year.

Return On Investment

For the ROI calculation, the assumption is that you purchase 2 packs of linen napkins for your household from efavormart.com at the cost of $3.50 each plus $4.95 per order for shipping and handling, which amounts to $16.90. This translates into $70.46 in annual savings and a 417% return on investment (ROI). If you decide to purchase two packs from a regular in store retailer (such as JC Penney or Walmart) at the price of $28, it saves you $59.36 per year in paper napkin purchases, and yields a 212% ROI.

Of course, you do not need to purchase linen napkins — be creative, find old clothing, bed sheets or blankets that you no longer use, and simply cut the material in 11x11 or 16x16 squares. Furthermore, don’t just limit yourself to using cloth as a paper napkin substitute. You can find other ways to use cloth or old towels around the home for activities such as dusting, cleaning, wiping kitchen and bathroom surfaces.