We talk a lot about making the switch from virgin to recycled for toilet paper, and entirely eliminating paper towels - but what about the other household paper product, facial tissue? Grist recently did a review of recycled tissue products, find out the results, and let us know what you use after the jump.
With many of the recycled paper tissues being either too expensive or too weak, Grist’s tissues recommendation was… cloth handkerchiefs! They found that over time cloth tissues are cheaper, stronger and much softer than the paper alternatives.
Image by sabarah.pilon via Flickr
Related:
• Hank&Cheef Handkerchiefs
• Green Idea: Handmade Hanky Storage
• Simple Green: Recycled Toilet Paper
• Green Alternative to Toilet Paper?
• Best Products: Paper Towel Alternative Twist Euro Cloth
• Which is More Green: The Hand Dryer or a Paper Towel?

Shaw's Original Fir...
We don't have any kleenex in our house. My in-laws have expressed frustration in the past about the lack of paper products. Recently they flew to visit us and instead of making an issue of it, they brought their own box of kleenex, which I thought was hilarious. I think they may have finally realized that there is no changing us.
I suffer from horrible sinuses and so I go through an alarming number of recycled tissue boxes. What's the proper etiquette (and not gross way) of putting away the hankies after they've been used?
I have some vintage hankies that were my grandmother's that I dug out and started to use for allergy season. So far, no complaints. In fact, the soft cotton feels better on my nose than a scratchy tissue.
I keep a courtsey box of paper tissues in the house for guests & when we have the flu.
I try to blow my nose at the sink with my hands as much as possible. With as much junk that has been coming out of my system lately, I need a soft disposable option.
A great free idea for making the switch to cloth paper towels and tissue: cut squares approximately the same size out of old cotton tshirts. I keep a basket in my bathroom for tissue and a drawer in my kitchen full of them for wiping up spills. Then I just toss them right into the hamper in the bathroom or laundry room.
I have been thinking about switching and am on the brink.
I, too, use ridiculous amounts of tissue, so I would have to gather together inordinate amounts of hankerchiefs. But that's ok.
I have to work out a system, and etiquette, of doing what jamjaree wonders about: "What's the proper etiquette (and not gross way) of putting away the hankies after they've been used?"
I use vintage hankies that belonged to older passed relatives. Whenever I wipe a tear I think of them. Awww.
Is no one here worried about sanitation? I've heard that the germs that end up in paper tissues are killed much quicker than if they end up in hankies. I actually heard a scientific fact that had a percentage in it, but I've forgotten what that is. Still, it convinced me. I don't want to carry a wad of germs in my pocket, and then throw it in my clothes hamper. If the germs die in a Kleenex, then I'm going to stick with that. Besides, paper disintigrates.
just use the toilet paper. the paper is smaller for one thing. unless you have a cold. then, it's ok to invest in the aloe stuff. hehe
we bought cloth diaper wipes (http://www.kellyscloset.com/Thirsties-Fab-Cloth-Wipes-6-pack_p_3304.html) and they are the perfect size for a reusable kleenex and great material. they would work well.
also, as far as a system, we go through so many dishtowels and wash cloths in the kitchen (wiping off toddlers faces) that we put a small laundry bin in the kitchen- cloth kleenex could go in here easily!
I won't give up the Puffs with lotion. I do, however, cut the tissues in half, because I rarely use a whole tissue, and I want to be able to throw the used part away immediately.
I could maybe, possibly convert to cloth hankies for myself, but I would never, ever want to deal with other people's snot in my laundry.