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):
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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?
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Entry Filed under: Environment
9 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?
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