handkerchief-baby1.jpgWhether he officially has a cold or not, Roscoe seems to always have a slight glaze on the narrow space between his nose and mouth.  Since traditional tissues use only virgin forests to create their products and recommend against recycling after use, we wanted to find a greener option.  The recycled tissue products on the market cost just a few cents more than mainstream brands, but I was seeking out the eco-friendliest (and thriftiest) option. hankerchief-baby-and-mom.jpg

The answer came from my friend Valerie, who used lacy cloth handkerchiefs with her one-year-old daughter’s frequent colds.  To keep track of the tissue while her toddler busily explored her world, Valerie tucked the hanky into the back of her daughter’s waistband so that it fluttered off behind her like a quarterback on the field. 

Now Roscoe has his own set of handkerchiefs and I love them!  They’re softer than tissues, washable, and very helpful for quick face-wipes as well. Most of the time they can totally handle the slime that he generates, although I have occasionally resorted to recycled tissues when he has bad colds that turn his nose-goo into interesting colors.  Ninety-nine percent of the time, our hankies can handle the gunk.

I know that in my grandparents’ generation everyone used handkerchiefs and even prided themselves on their elegant designs.  Other thrifty green parents turn those flannel receiving blankets into handkerchiefs for their children.  Roscoe’s come from a discount store, have never been ironed, and aren’t particularly attractive, but they do the trick!