When you take a closer look, cloth napkins are everywhere: your favorite upscale Italian restaurant, your brother’s wedding reception, your grandmother’s house. With one simple switch from disposable to reusable napkins, any tablescape is instantly elevated. So why not use them in your own home?
If you want to add a touch of sophistication to your daily dining, linen napkins are the answer. Learn more about what makes linen the preferred reusable napkin material and discover the top five benefits of using cloth napkins in your home. Who knows—you may feel inspired to buy your first set today!
When to Use Reusable Napkins
Short answer—any time the mood strikes! Cloth napkins can be used at any table setting, whether serving your children breakfast before school or hosting a hundred of your closest friends. But that’s not all—reusable napkins can also be utilized in other scenarios, from drying dishes to setting the table with must-have linens.
What’s the Best Material for Reusable Napkins?
When shopping for cloth table linens, don’t be distracted by cheaper cotton and polyester blends. Linen remains the most popular material for home décor and reusable napkins for their sustainability, durability, and washability. Whether you’re eager to make an eco-friendly switch or adore a dressed-up dinner table, linen is the solution.
The 5 Benefits of Using Cloth Napkins
Although it may feel tempting to pick up a package of disposable napkins at the grocery store, it’s just not worth it in the long run. There are countless reasons people around the globe champion reusable napkins. Here are five to inspire you to do the same:
1. Cloth Napkins Are Sustainable
Disposable napkins and paper towels may seem like staple household items, but buying and using them has a massive impact on our earth. Countless trees are cut down and enormous amounts of water are used in order to create the wood pulp needed for a disposable napkin. Is that environmental disturbance really worth it for something you can only use once before throwing it away?
When you make the switch to linen napkins, you’re shopping sustainably. Not only does the flax plant require less water and produce fewer greenhouse gases, but unlike disposable alternatives, you can use your linen napkins over and over again.
2. Linen Napkins Are Stylish
Although disposable napkins have a time and place, that place is certainly not your dining table! You deserve a beautiful tablescape, so finding stunning reusable napkins to match your curated serveware and dinnerware is essential.
If you’re looking to set a coordinated tablescape, look no further than the timeless style of linen napkins. With a natural crinkle, lightweight look, and a rainbow of colors to choose from, linen works with any aesthetic, from bohemian to minimalist. Lay out a set of optic white linen napkins on their own, or pair them with colorful placemats and tablecloths for a bold look.
Popular Linen Napkin Colors:
Select your dream table linens in a variety of colors to personalize the look of your table:
- Optic white
- Mustard yellow
- Lilac
- Ivory
- Rust red
- Green olive
- …and more!
3. Reusable Napkins are Cost Efficient
While a set of linen napkins will, of course, be more expensive than a flimsy pack of paper napkins, it will save you money in the long run. Cloth napkins are designed to last a couple of years at the very least, while you’d have to buy countless disposable napkins in that same time frame. Although the savings may not be obvious in one year, the savings begin to add up over time.
4. Reusable Napkins are Durable
When it comes to table linens, you want pieces that will last. Reusable napkins are designed to be used time and time again without wear and tear. Linen napkins are designed to handle regular use while maintaining their look and function for years. When you buy cloth napkins, you’re investing in something both beautiful and durable.
Are Linen Napkins Good for Cleaning Up Spills?
Linen is known for its absorbency, moisture-wicking properties, and quick-drying abilities, making it the perfect reusable napkin material for mopping up a spill or dabbing your lips dry. In fact, the more you use and wash your set of rust-red linen napkins, the better the absorbency becomes.
5. Cloth Napkins are Easy to Wash
Instead of throwing your napkins in the trash after a meal, toss reusable napkins into the laundry! There’s no one-size-fits-all rule about the frequency of washing cloth napkins, but if there’s any visible soiling or they’ve been used, it’s time to wash. After a quick, gentle cycle, your cloth napkins will be as good as new and ready to be used again.
Alternative Uses for Cloth Napkins
When they aren’t enhancing your place settings, cloth napkins don’t need to sit unused in the linen closet. Reusable napkins can be used in more ways than one, like:
- Use a cloth napkin to line a breadbasket to keep buns toasty at a dinner party.
- Wrap a wine bottle with a linen napkin when you pour to keep hands and counters clean.
- Set a couple as extra placemats if you run out of your normal linen placemats.
- Once they are too old to be used in the kitchen, give them a new life as cleaning rags.
- Cover serving dishes with reusable napkins to keep meals hot before your gathering.
Proper Storage for Cloth Napkins
When storing your new favorite set of linen napkins, the answer varies from person to person. Keep your reusable napkins in whatever spot is most convenient, whether that be an accessible kitchen drawer, the linen closet in your hallway, or a basket near your breakfast nook. That way, when you need to set the table, you don’t have to hunt around—you’ll know exactly where to look.
Every home deserves to feel special, and while they may seem like a small piece of that puzzle, the napkins you choose can make it happen. Luxurious, timeless, and reliable, linen napkins can transform how you set the table for good. Make the switch to reusable napkins and experience these benefits for yourself!
