Paper Napkins vs Cloth Napkins

Napkins are an indispensable part of our daily routine and mainly in table setting etiquette. They have been proven handy whenever we have wanted to clean our face, brush off some stray drips from our clothes, or wipe our hands post meals. Be it a paper or a cloth napkin, they will effectively serve your purpose. So, let us first understand the difference and usage of both the types and then decide which one is better of the two.

Cloth napkins look elegant and chic for any table decoration. The occasion could be a business meet or some high profile dinner party. Cloth napkins are easy to handle, reusable, and eco-friendly! Secondly, they are easy available and do not pinch your wallet much. They add a regal touch to your table.

You could use any napkin folding technique and decorate your table with varied folded napkins.

One of the styles includes the regular triangular fold which adds a certain crispness to an evening dinner. Other ideas include making a pocket out of a napkin and tucking the silverware inside it. In fact, one can experiment his/her creativity on these folds by making napkin scarves, boats, or flowers.

High profile restaurants always prefer to use cloth napkins because of their decorative feel factor. Even at home, cloth napkins are preferred over paper napkins. Firstly, you don't have to dispose them. Secondly, you can make them yourself at home. Let's see how!

• Buy 1 yard of 45-inch fresh linen. Wash the fabric with cold water and let it dry.

• Make a preset pattern for the napkin on a poster board which should ideally be ½ inch larger than the actual napkin.

• Now stencil the pattern on the wrong side of your fabric using a fabric chalk.
• Cut the napkin as per the pattern drawn and press each edge under by ¼ inch. Repeat once again.
• Now stitch the napkin hem with a sewing machine. You may also try some ornamental embroidery work on it.

These are easy to wash and iron. Secondly, they offer greater protection for clothes when eating. They are a better choice for formal occasions like high profile dinner parties and business events as they do add sophistication to the event.

Paper napkins made their first ever appearance in the late 1930s. They were introduced by Scott Paper. During those days, paper napkins served individual purposes and were limited to be used as facial tissue paper or toilet paper.

Today, they have become as popular as cloth napkins, since they cost low and are easy to use. Say for instance, you are hosting a party. At the end of all your preparations, you suddenly realize that all your cloth napkins are still in the laundry.

Paper napkins come handy in such situations. One advantage is using a paper napkin will always give a feel good factor to the user as he or she will always be using it for the first time. They, too, come in attractive patterns depending on the occasion. For example if it is a party for children, paper napkins are recommended. One can order colorful napkins to make the party more festal as children adore colors.

Depending on the occasion, one can customize the designs. For instance, you can print names and dates of ceremonial events on them. Some varieties feel just like cloth napkins. On cooking grounds, they serve cleaning and wiping purposes effectively. With advanced technology, there are paper napkin dispenser boxes and silver weights available in the market that keep the napkins intact without letting them get blown over by wind.

Even paper napkins can take on fancy origami styles on dinner tables. On the contrary, they make better patterns as compared to cloth napkins pertaining to their crease and sharp edges. Paper napkins are best suited for casual and informal events like birthday parties, cookery shows, and informal events.

It is believed that paper napkins are not environment friendly. But, there are substitutes made of recycled paper sans dyes. Hence, such preventive measures refute the supposed allegations. Some people believe that cloth napkins, too, are not very eco-friendly, as the amount of detergent and water spent on them is more than required.

However, if one takes care to wash them only when they are dirty, it would resolve all the above fuss. Manufacturing both kinds of napkins consumes a lot of energy. Their production does cause the emission of a lot of greenhouse gases. So, here are some eco-friendly tips on their usage:

• Always prefer to buy paper napkins that are made from 100% recycled material and contain a minimum of 90% post consumer waste.
• Make sure your paper towels are free of bleach and chlorine. Choices like PCF (Process chlorine free) and ECF (Elemental chlorine free) are available in the markets.

• Opt for pigment-free varieties that do not have an iota of dye.
• When using them, curb the irrational desire of picking up more than needed. Hence, avoid folded paper napkins.

• Do not keep washing them if the particles adhered to the cloth can be cleaned by mere brushing of the cloth. As such, most of the people do not soil the napkins every now and then.
• When there are too many people in the family, maintain a napkin ring for every person so that he or she can identify their napkin between meals.

• When washing them, preferably use eco-friendly detergents.
• Always wash the linen with cold water and use only after it is completely dry.

The above information should help you make your choice. Both are well suited for different occasions, depending on your party theme as to whether the event is formal or informal.