How to Make Paper Napkins
Paper napkins are not only useful, they are also convenient. Unlike fabric napkins, you can throw them away after you use them. This means no washing, bleaching or fear of stains. They are also inexpensive and plentiful, coming in packs of as many as 500. Though useful, paper napkins contribute to waste when thrown away. You can reduce waste by making your own paper napkins. Families may also make their own paper napkins as a rainy day project to teach little ones how paper is made and use up scraps of craft paper too small or ripped for anything else. Making homemade napkins may also be an alternative to buying them if you're on a budget.
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Things You'll Need
- Tissue paper
- Typing paper
- Construction paper scraps
- Large plastic tub
- Warm water
- Blender
- Plastic bucket
- Window screen
- Newspaper
- Scissors
Instructions
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Tear up paper into the smallest strips that you can. If you want your napkins to be uniform, use only one color. Soft, thin paper like tissue and typing paper and easily torn paper like construction paper work best for these napkins. Construction paper pieces should be smaller than the other kinds for best mixing.
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Put all the paper into a large plastic tub and cover it with warm water. Make sure all of the paper is immersed, and let it soak overnight.
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Scoop about a pint of soaked paper into a blender, and fill with warm water. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Pour the mixture into a plastic bucket, and continue blending the soaked paper until none is left.
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Set the window screen into the tub. Pour the blended paper mixture over the screen. Gently shake the screen back and forth to settle the mixture and lift it out of the tub. Let it drain for about a minute, pressing on the paper on top of the screen to squeeze out extra water.
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Layer several pieces of newspaper on your work surface. Quickly flip the screen upside-down onto the newspaper, leaving the paper mixture behind. Place several sheets of newspaper on top of the paper mixture, and let the mixture dry overnight.
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Remove the top layers of newspaper, and lift the new paper gently from the bottom layers. Cut the edges square, and then cut the paper into squares about 10 inches square. Fold them into quarters to create napkins.
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References
- Photo Credit papel image by juanjo tugores from Fotolia.com
