Snot rags! Ughhh….. Remember the old days when you had a hanky tucked up your sleeve or even in the hem of your knickers, your home-made knitted knickers that is? Long gone are the clammy times of snot rags, hurrah for the disposable tissue….
Unless of course you care for trees, don’t like waste and won’t use plastic.
I fall into all of those categories so I don’t buy plastic packed throwaway paper hankies but I must admit the idea of using cloth made me squirm. Still needs must and I bought a whole load of reusable fabric, washable handkerchiefs from Huddersfield Market
and then some more from Organic Alley.
She sells organic, fair trade cotton hankies. She also has a whole load of info on why you are a better person for using reusables and how cotton hankies are not at all nasty….really.
I have been using mine for ages and they are a lot more comfortable than paper – not so scratchy on the nose. lighter on the environment and really useful for all sorts of other things too. Try them you will be amazed.
Which Hankie
Handkerchiefs come in all different weights of cotton and sizes.
Heavy cotton are good for big blows with lots of snot but harder to wash. And of course they are bulkier.
Light weight cotton hankies are good for day to day sniffles and wiping and are easier to carry, wash and dry.
Men’s handkerchiefs are usually bigger than ladies.
Small handkerchiefs are good for one or two blows. Big ones can see more service.
Patterned handkerchiefs don’t show up the stains.
Using Your Hankies
Get lots of small hankies, use them for a couple of blows then in the laundry. Use like a papper tissue rather than keeping them in your knicker leg for ages. It also depends (and I don’t want to get to specific here) on the quality of the mucas. Thick and green and its back to disposables!
Other Uses
Handkerchiefs can be used as little bags
As a headscarf (get a larger size!)
neckerchief
And a dust mask.
Disposable Tissues
NB Do be careful when you buy a box of tissues. They often come with a plastic collar. You can find plastic free boxes here. Or you could just use loo roll in compostable packaging.
Buying Elsewhere
If you cant get then locally, you could try these from Amazon. Please do read our disclaimer for more info about buying from Amazon
