You know what’s gross? Those plastic drain pan things you put under your dish rack. I feel like every time I move I look at the thing and go “ewww” and toss it, only to buy a new one at the new place. (And yes, I do wipe them down occasionally, but obviously they aren’t actually directing water into the sink, instead they let it pool and form yucky looking substances.) So this time when we moved I tossed it, and said no more.

Instead I cut down some old towels destined for the trash and added a bias tape to the edges. These are the new drain pans. I can just throw them in the wash with my other stuff, and I made two so I can rotate them out if they need to hang to really dry.  Added bonus: they extend to fit my silverware drainer and whatever else doesn’t fit in the rack. Tea towels and thin dish cloths would work just as well (and probably dry quicker– that’s what my mom uses and where I got the idea) but I wanted to recycle something I had instead of buying something new. Last year I  tore all of the other old towels into rag sized pieces and use them instead of paper towels now and always wished I had taken the time to bind the edges so they wouldn’t fray in the wash. But binding these two towels was a pain in the butt, so I’m fine with some raggedy looking rags. 

And I’m happy to report that at this point, the only paper product we use daily is toilet paper (and kleenex. But I’m seriously thinking about making tissues, and wondering if that makes me crazy). Believe it or not, I actually find it easier to use reuseable rags, cloth napkins, cloth pads, etc. I was in Joann’s a few weeks ago buying an EZ hem tool (after some of y’all were raving about it) and this woman in line asked me what I would use it for. I explained to her that it was good for making narrow hems, like on a napkin or sleeve. She gave me this pathetic look and said “Oh, please don’t tell me you’re making your own napkins?” and I told her no, I had already made them, and then went on my way. Whatever floats your boat, I say, but what’s so weird about making your own napkins (ehm, and possibly kleenex?)? Giggle.