Using cloth napkin is the clear eco-friendly choice over paper napkins only if you follow these practices: use each napkin multiple times before washing and toss them in with a planned laundry load—thereby not consuming extra water, but instead increasing the efficiency of the wash load. (You can also line dry them to save energy.)

If this option feels too stringent for you, rest assured that cloth-versus-paper isn’t really a clear cut issue. Deciding between cloth and paper napkins weighs tradeoffs between tree-cutting, landfill waste, pollution, and water consumption. Your habits with respect to napkin use can make just as much of a difference as the type of napkin you choose.

Of all the options, standard paper napkins are the least desirable choice. They require trees, large amounts of water and chemicals to soften the wood pulp into something you’d want to use for face wiping, and then chlorine bleach and dyes to make pretty patterns that match your kitchen wallpaper. After they’re used, they’re usually trashed.

Recycled-content paper napkins reduce the need for tree-cutting, and use less than half the amount of water required to make napkins from wood. An added benefit is less pollution, as well as less landfill waste because the napkins are made from recycled materials that might have otherwise been discarded. In many cases, recycled napkins are unbleached (which is best) or are bleached with a non-chlorine agent like hydrogen peroxide. Like standard napkins, most recycled-content napkins are thrown out with the garbage, but can be composted.

Cloth napkins don’t result in cut trees and contribute less waste than paper because they can be used repeatedly. However, cloth napkins have some issues of their own. Growing cotton consumes large amounts of water. (Growing flax to make linen usually uses less.) Unless the fabric is organic, massive amounts of pesticides and fertilizers are used as well, not to mention the chemicals necessary to bleach and dye the fabric. If the cloth napkins are washed after each use, they are likely to impact the regular laundry routine and can result in an increase in water and detergent use.

If you come down on the side of paper, choose the recycled content variety and use them conservatively. If possible, toss them in with the compost instead of out with the garbage.

If you’re considering crossing over to cloth napkin camp, try to use each napkin a few times before washing. This sounds more disgusting than it has to be in practice. Clearly, if you have messy ribs for dinner, (or are nursing a cold) toss the napkins into the wash after one use. But if your napkin sat unused in your lap, or you just daintily dabbed the corners of your mouth with it, let it go another round or two. It helps if each household member has a designated napkin so each person keeps their own cooties.