Super Eco

Photo credit: mslume

I agree with Betts Shoreham when she utters “But that handkerchief is not an article of dress with me; it is my friend!" in James Fenimore Cooper's novella, 'Autobiography of a Pocket Handkerchief'.

Being a girl rather prone to blowing my nose, especially in Spring, I am astonished at the amount of tissues that one person can consume! Tissues are so small, compact and innocent in the box yet so huge and dusty in the trash bin. I decided to switch to handkerchiefs and started hunting down vintage, downright girly hankies at my local flea market. Soft, beautiful and easy on the nose I was sold from the get go! I can purchase them for $1 or $2 each. I prefer the bright floral ones popular in 1930’s and 40’s. My husband is a handkerchief convert also and his favorites are large striped cotton and plaid squares that we purchased from Duluth Trading.

I wash them all together in warm water on gentle cycle and dry them on delicate, follow that with a quick swipe of the steam iron and they’re good to go. A lot of effort you say? Not when you consider that I hardly have to dust anymore. Ever shake a tissue in front of a brightly lit window? Tissues generate large amounts of airborne particulate that land on everything. Handkerchiefs are lovely and dust-free, and have the added benefit of helping save the world’s old growth forests.