Handkerchief Project Starts Today
July 14th, 2008
I visited Japan for the first time in 1994. While preparing for the trip, I learned that a handkerchief was a part of the uniform of everyday life. No one in Japan left home without one. The reason, I was told, was practical. Public restrooms did not provide hand towels or dryers. So for my new adventure, I bought a few handkerchiefs. I’d never owned one before.
Almost 15 years later, I still have those handkerchiefs, but I don’t use them. Why? Practical reasons. The culture of public restrooms in the States ensures I don’t need one like I did in Japan. But not using them seems like such a waste. I paid good money for them, and now they just sit in my closet while I throw away paper towels day after day. If I used my handkerchiefs regularly, as I did in Japan, I’d be respecting my financial investment and the environment at the same time.
So starting today, July 14, I will carry a handkerchief with me every time I leave the house. I’m calling my new leaf the Handkerchief Project.
If you’ve read this far, thank you. I wanted to tell you about my project in the hope that it’ll encourage me to stick with it. It seems like such a simple idea, and I don’t remember having any trouble with it while I was in Japan. But last week I realized that it’ll be harder than I thought. To try it out, I brought a handkerchief to work a few days last week…and I still used paper towels. I found that if my mind drifted during the three seconds that I was washing my hands, I picked up a paper towel without thinking. The action was automatic, like breathing. The revelation surprised me.
This will be as hard as learning any new habit. But since I like to challenge (or sabotage?) myself, I am adding a Part B to my plan. In addition to carrying a handkerchief with me, I will keep a few cloth napkins at work to use whenever I eat in the office. I have lots of cloth napkins, and I use some of them at home on a regular basis. Others, however, live in permanent storage because I have too many. I need to put them to work.
So the rules of the Handkerchief Project are as follows (I warn you that this may be TMI):
-
Each day, I will leave the house with a clean handkerchief. I will use my handkerchief to dry my washed hands rather than using the hand towels or dryer in public bathrooms. I will not, however, use my handkerchief to blow my nose. Sorry, I just can’t go there.
- At the start of each week, I will bring five cloth napkins to work and keep them in my cube. I’ll use them whenever I eat in the office (typically three to five days a week), rather than using a paper napkin or paper towel. I will take home any used napkins at the end of each day.
Currently, I do one to two loads of laundry per week. I don’t expect the Handkerchief Project to alter my routine.
It’ll probably take a few weeks for the Handkerchief Project to become the Handkerchief Habit. I look forward to the day when my hand automatically reaches for cloth rather than paper.
Do any of you use handkerchiefs on a regular basis? Got any tips for me?
Other articles from Around the Sun:
Entry Filed under: Environment
13 Comments Add your own
1. Nancy S | July 15th, 2008 at 12:18 am
I recently spent time with a friend whose son and wife live in Japan. She gave me a small towel with a loop for my toddler granddaughter to use to dry her hands at my house. All children in Japan have such a towel that they hang near the sink at school.
I’m thinking of getting out some of my handkerchiefs and joining you in the Handkerchief Project! Also planning to make a basket of cloth napkins this summer–random prints to use up fabric scraps and replace the occasional paper napkin my husband and I still use.
2. natty | July 15th, 2008 at 1:38 am
i like saying the word ‘handkerchief’ - does that count? hehe
3. Chris | July 15th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I was looking for ideas of free things to do with toddlers and just found your site today. And already a bonus - the handkerchief project! It could catch on! Thanks for sharing a great idea. Good luck at work.
4. Matt | July 15th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I use a handkerchief while backpacking. Since my daughter was born, a little over two years ago, I don’t leave home without it. The piece of fabric comes in handy when cleaning up spills, as an emergency bib, whatever.
5. Valeria Vincent Sancisi | July 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I have, not always, but often wrap any fruit that I bring for lunch with cloth napkins so they don’t bruise in transit, same when i need to carry food, picknick items…
the Japanese often wrap their belongings in a furoski (sp), a large, often Shibori (Tie dye!) kercheifs and carry them like a basket by holding the tied bundle by the knot….
Another eco habit i am training myself is to get the shopping bag back in the car, and then to remember to bring it in the store when I grocery shop!
So i can relate to your story about making new habits… I find your blog charming and much like the wonderful charming time I had spent in Portland..
Thank you!
Valeria
6. Emily | July 15th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Good luck with your project! I hope you update us with how you do, and I might actually join you in the handkercheif project.
7. Luke | July 17th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Sweet! Like Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy where everyone always carried a towel! A better alternative to drying my hands on my pants…thanks & good luck!
8. KYouell | July 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am
Having 2 kids under 4 I can’t believe I didn’t think of this. Is it so obvious that I should be doing this that I just couldn’t see the forest for the trees–that I’m killing wiping them up with baby wipes? Duh.
9. Anne | July 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I am wanting to make some hankies for little girls, do you have instructions?
10. Jeff | September 13th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Hi Anne,
My wife and I make hankies that are perfect for women or young girls. Eco-chic and very fun designs… Take a look : http://www.happyhanky.com Let us know what you think.
Jeff Corcoran
11. Colleen | September 13th, 2009 at 8:34 am
How is the Handkerchief Project going? I’m glad that I stumbled upon your post because I too have been trying to bring back the hanky! I always collected and carried hankies and I recently created my own line of hankies called Happy Hanky…check them out at http://www.happyhanky.com when you have a chance. I felt that if I could create a fun, fresh take on this old accessory that people would be more enticed to use them again. I also started a blog called http://www.bringbackthehanky.com/wordpress…though I admit it’s been hard for me to keep up this part.
I would love to hear how your crusade is going??
12. Sam | May 26th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Hi All,
I’m so glad I found this blog! PeopleTowels was inspired by the Japanese habit of bringing your own personal hand towel/handkerchief everywhere. We’re starting a B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Towel) eco-movement in the States so we won’t have to use paper towels or air dryer in public restrooms again. Check us out - http://www.peopletowels.com/.
13. Tomi | June 20th, 2010 at 7:54 am
I hope by now you’ve tried using handkerchiefs for their true intended purpose! It is not disgusting to blow your nose into one, and they wash out perfectly. My father always had one, and since my grandmother died and I took all of hers, I use them instead of paper tissues (I’ve heard that some brands are made of virgin wood!). Hankerchiefs are soft and feel good to use.
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed