cotton napkins

this is a pretty big duh, once you try it, you're amazed how much better these are, and how much paper you'll not use.

these are 12" x 12" cotton cloth towels from the $1 store.
you get 6 for $1, obvious deal.

you can use them as napkins or paper towel, they're the perfect size and thickness for easily rinsing, doing a quick hand wash, and wringing out to re use. after a couple uses, just throw them in the laundry basket with all your other clothes.

i have about five 6 packs of blue ones to use as napkins, and one 6 pack of these red ones for wiping counter tops, just dampen the cloths and they work great. you can practically stop buying paper napkins and paper towels after you have these, though i still do have some paper towels(made from recycled paper and not bleached w/ chlorine) for wiping the floor, and things that are just a bit too dirty for rags you want to re use.