How long do you keep a handkerchief? I am not asking how long between laundering; what I am asking is, presuming you launder the handkerchief between uses, how long can you hang onto a hanky before it becomes too stained to keep? This will sound like a really dumb series of questions, but as I am blind and cannot see tobacco stains etc. on my handkerchiefs, I need to ask. Does the tobacco snot (for lack of a better term) permanently stain the handkerchief? I heard one snuff taker declare that he uses a handkerchief *once*, and when it is thoroughly filthy, just throws it away. Sounds like kind of a waste to me, even if you’ve only paid a couple bucks for the hanky. What do you use to get out tobacco stains on handkerchiefs (presuming that the tobacco stains the cloth)? Finally, is there a particularly stain-prone type of snuff (i.e. do schmalzlers stain a handkerchief worse than other types)? Thanks for answering the questions. I have a stack of handkerchiefs which I have used and washed repeatedly. Just wondering how ugly they’re getting and whether or not it was time (after two weeks) to replace them. TIA.

I keeps um till I wears a hole in um . Then I sells um on Ebay ( vintage ) then I buy two for what I get for it .

@kurtsnose - hahaha, thats too funny

I really prefer paper tissue or TP (because I’m so classy)…whatever is on hand. After a while I’ve grown immune and they don’t irritate my nose. Just my opinion, but I’d rather spend my money on more snuff than a fancy snot rag.

I love Costco paper towels 10 big rolls for $14.00 there thick and soft and leave no lint , about 1/3 of a roll per day is all I use. Your right it is classy and when people ask I just tell them it’s the new pattern .

@scurvy - ditto, here… I do try to be discreet with the TP - don’t want anyone to think I have some far worse habit than snuff, bringing brown TP to my nose… shudder

get dark colors they’re cheap. I’ve only thrown one out and that wasn’t cause of regular use.

@scurvy - ditto, here… I do try to be discreet with the TP - don’t want anyone to think I have some far worse habit than snuff, bringing brown TP to my nose… shudder

HA! :)) I blow-- then fold, roll, and use the twisted ends to dig up in my nose and scrape out the sides. I abuse TP and it looks pretty funky when I’m done with it.

Just tried TP way to fragile for me folded 2ply 4 times , Biew right thru it , Now its on my notebook and every thing, I’m gona have to use the PC until some one cleans this up .

@Uncle_Squinty If you’re using white hankies they will get stained quite quickly. After a wash it just looks as though coffee has been spilled on them and then dried, or like they’ve been sitting in a puddle. I made myself a half-dozen or so hankies many years ago from some good, soft cloth material and they’re still going now. They’re a dark burgundy colour which solves the problem of the coffee/puddle stains. Sometimes you’ll find a hardened little fellow in there after a wash, but unless someone’s inspecting your hankies, nobody is likely to notice this. You don’t need to make your own though, obviously. One can usually find bandanas at the local dollar store, usually in either blue or red. The blue I find is better for disguising snuff stains. These work great and are nice and big. Of course if you’re using one hanky to last you a week, the stains will be harder to disguise and it’s more likely that one wash won’t properly clean them. I’m a moderate snuffer and I go through a hanky a day. When I remember (which isn’t that often) I give them a good shaking-out before I put them in the washing machine. You should get years of service from them that way.

Bob, Screwtape…thanks for the advice and suggestions. You other guys…LOL I mean it. I had a mental picture of a shifty-looking character raising a wad of well-browned toilet tissue to his nose, glancing furtively about… too funny! Screwtape, I bought a bunch of dark-colored handkerchiefs for about $2.00/each from wholesaleforeveryone.com, all in dark colors. Like you, I am a moderate snuffer and go through 1 or 2 handkerchiefs per day, after which they get immediately washed. So I think I’m probably good to go. Thanks again for the advice and the laughs. Oh, and BTW, never use a pipe nail to pick out the brown intranostrilar crust. People are sickened by such behavior.

I haven’t had my hankies very long but i use black, red, and blue ones and wash them with my clothes. I’ve yet to notice a permanent stain on them. I can get away with reusing the same hanky a few days sometimes, mainly because I’ll often use kleenex that i flush so as not to have my trash can filled with what appear to be asswipes.

i wait until after Christmas and buy a few of the gift sets, they usually clearance out to well under a buck a piece. Ive found that the Stafford ones at JCPenny last the longest for me. And always go for colored. At this point i could probably do a full laundry load of just hankies!

I never use my handkerchief to blow my nose into, only wipe around the outside. I use kleenex or bathroom tissue if I need to evacuate my sinuses, it’s too gross otherwise.

I bought a load of white handkerchiefs and dyed them brown.

I bought a load of white handkerchiefs and dyed them brown.

I did that quite a few years ago. Works great as long as they are 100% cotton.

I went on cheaperthandirtDOTcom and bought like… 30 handkerchiefs for 19.00 bucks. I use one a day and throw them in the hamper at the end of the day.

I have about 20 handkercheifs. Small ones I will use up in a day, sometimes 2 a day. Large ones can last a day to a day and a half, or even two days. What I do when they are filled with expelled snuff, is drop them in a small basket in my bathroom. Then, when its shower time, I bring one or two in the shower with me and let the shower wash off the heavyist soiling. After that they hang dry and go to the regular laundry. I learned the hard way to pre wash large soil off before doing laundry (mostly from cement dust I think, but snuff may have played a part). I had been washing them in the sink with a washboard until I thought of the shower trick. I always fold them in my pocket so the soiled side is in. While at the computer, or sitting watching or reading, one is laid across my lap at the ready. I do have a large number of white ones from my pre-snuffing days, and I use these still, just not usually in public. As @Screwtape says, they will stain, but its never bothered me much. Eventually, I suppose they will take on a new sepia color in their entirety. Oh, and handkerchiefs are much more economical than paper. Good ones last for many years. Bad ones even last for years! Paper you have to buy and buy again!

Yes Xander, I agree that cloth is far more economical and “green” than using paper, and softer on the nose as well. Excellent ideas re: pre-laundering handkerchiefs before throwing them into the washing machine. I have already I suspect, permanently stained a pair of jeans by not putting a 21-square across my lap, so I’ll start doing that with my next snuff at the computer. I appreciate all the input and advice. I guess I worry that if I choose to take snuff while in public, I’d rather not disgrace myself by flourishing a handkerchief that I thought to be clean…and wave a brown snot-stain flag instead. Thumbs up, all. Thanks.

I can see it now. A pictures of hankies thread.

I always have a hanky in my pocket. I change them out like underwear, one a day and put em in the laundry. They are all dark colors and have no signs of stains after years of use. I do try to use kleenex or TP if I’m going for an all out blow but sometimes that isn’t convenient and that’s why the hanky is there. Many days I don’t use it at all. My wife has been happy when she’s needed one right away and I was able to provide a fresh hanky, so soft for her nose. I think she’s been helping herself to them once in a while now when she has a cold or allergies acting up. I have got quite a collection at this point. I’ve gotten some nice deals on ebay and etsy. Solid blacks and browns, dark plaids, and my favorites were tye-dye made by carol here at snuffhouse (what happened to her? i would buy more from her for sure). Just don’t go with anything with light colors or any sign of whites or light colors in them.

I never use handkerchiefs, haven’t found the need for one. Snot rockets for the Olympic Gold. or hock a loogie. I forget what a real booger even resembles . If I feel a sneeze coming, I reach for a paper tissue. Just to save time from cleaning up the mess.

@onefortheroad Carol has not commented since last year, and not logged in since June of this year. I sent her a mesage a few months ago asking if she was going to do any more tie dyes, but no answer.

I have a bunch of various hankies, different sizes, colors, and styles. I use them for about a day then throw them in the laundry. Using paper products is a massive waste of precious resources, go hankie and save a tree.

I say to hell with trees . We have so many of them here in the pacific northwest you can’t even see the forest . Sorry for that .

I agree. But beyond the green considerations, let’s be selfish here. Cloth is softer, and with some snuffs I find myself letting loose with a lot of drain. In the long run they may or may not be cheaper than paper (include the cost of laundering the cloth, etc.) but certainly, the cloth feels better and seems “greener.” @ Tom S. I have been doing the same. A hanky a day, thrown into a special basket then laundered either alone together or with blacks/navy blues/dark brown clothing. I’mm pleased to read that you haven’t set any permanent tobacco stains with this method. So many snuffs, so little time…

I use a product called a Shamwow. Those synthetic towels that are super absorbent. They come in blue and one will last me a whole day. The nice thing about them is that they don’t stain and I can just hand wash them in the sink and they dry in about ten minutes. I bought the large shamwow towels and cut them into the size I wanted and I have about ten of them. Works for me.

Another excellent idea! Thanks!

I use a product called a Shamwow. Those synthetic towels that are super absorbent. They come in blue and one will last me a whole day. The nice thing about them is that they don’t stain and I can just hand wash them in the sink and they dry in about ten minutes. I bought the large shamwow towels and cut them into the size I wanted and I have about ten of them. Works for me.

I thought you were joking at first…really shamwow? That is so awesome…

@Camu Yeah they are really soft and super absorbent. Regular cloth gets wet and nasty pretty quickly if you have to blow your nose often. Finding a “dry spot” with the shamwow is not a problem. Otherwise I use paper towels but most of the time everything goes down my throat.

@Camu Yeah they are really soft and super absorbent. Regular cloth gets wet and nasty pretty quickly if you have to blow your nose often. Finding a “dry spot” with the shamwow is not a problem. Otherwise I use paper towels but most of the time everything goes down my throat.

I was gonna make a thread about how I don’t use hankies…it goes down my throat…ah well…I wanna live forever…but I know the sun will blow up one day anyways… I don’t mind the drip…I was snorting Copenhagen before I found true nasal snuff…

Truth is, with a lot of snuffs I’ve recently tried, I end up back-snorting the drip naturally. Maybe it’s because I keep my chin up. But often, it will drain before I have the chance to grab my hanky. I’ve got to find a cheap Shamwow source. Wonder if they can be dyed? Snortle. See? I didn’t mean to, but I just gutted some sinus recyclables.

I use just classic german handkerchiefs. With bavarian or turkish ornaments on it. Diffrent colors to match my mood.

I keep it until it wears out. Stains are why I prefer to use big dark bandanas. My preliminary fold is folding it in thirds (both ends on the same side.) When it gets too soiled, I can just bring the third that was folded under to the top and start over again using the same bandana.

I’ve always liked carrying big handkerchiefs. Don’t know why, I just feel undressed without one. Flourishing a nice hanky after taking snuff just seems part and parcel of the whole Georgian experience. (I read somewhere that snuff taking began to fall out of favour when white handkerchiefs became more common in the Victorian era, but I’m not sure if this is true.) I have about 12 hankies in dark paisley patterns which I bought cheap on Ebay from a company called Magnificent Mouchoirs. They have lasted me for several years and show little sign of wear. I use one a day, and they are laundered along with my dark clothing and don’t show any stains. I know there is a feeling amongst some modern people that hankies are ‘unhygienic’ but in my experience these are the same people who just sneeze into the air without even using a paper tissue. Using bogroll (tp) just seems odd - apparently the late Sir Kingsley Amis gave up snuff when he started having to carry an entire toilet roll with him everywhere he went!

I have white hankies and abuse them in terrible ways. I prefer to blow my nose with a tissue, but if I need to, I’ll fire it right into the hankie. The white ones are easy to get the stains out of. We have soft water (which seems to help), add some good detergent, a splash of bleach, and they come out looking like new. My favorites are the huge, dark bandanas that I got from a craft store. They are 22" x 22" so you get many folds out of them. I can use those things forever.

I use paisley bandanas from outdoor retailers…darker colors are always preferable. With age, they become extremely soft and absorbent and conceal stains well.

I use big, deep [or bright] coloured cotton jobs [usually navy blue, BRG or bright red] with either white polka dots or white paisley pattern [best supplier I know, for price, is a small gents’ outfitters in Brecon market, Powys]. Typically change about once a week [but use tissues when in the house or car]. With good quality “coloured” laundry powder, I find they wash out like new every time, even at a lowish temperature [30-40 degrees Celsius].

Well I figured with the cooler weather settling in I’ll get on track and carry a handkerchief. If just to get that nose cave look less noticeable. I’ll still be shooting snot rockets for the gold. Picked up a couple at A.C. Moore craft store for $1 each the bandanna type. Already the right color too!

Basement Shaman - that hankie design on the left could be cheaply replicated by any snuff user simply by using a plain white hankie for several weeks without laundering!

I been using forest camo, and dark blue ones, the camo ones will never look stained, and i got 12 for $6 at big lots :-bd

Even in the life before snuff I always carried bandannas with me. Almost always I have one on my head and one tucked in my hardhat liner. They are indispensable in hot weather and now with snuffing I have further use for them. I have used them as dust masks, bandages, and even as a cover me up one day when I ripped my pants at the crotch. Useful tools they are.

I really prefer paper tissue or TP (because I’m so classy)…whatever is on hand. After a while I’ve grown immune and they don’t irritate my nose. Just my opinion, but I’d rather spend my money on more snuff than a fancy snot rag.

I’m with you on this one. Some tissues in my pocket (or TP if I’m feeling classy). Blow and throw (in the waste basket of course).

I use tactical paper napkins. They are 13" in square, and come at 1.9oz lightweight, so I can easily carry three of them without hindering my movement in difficult terrain while being prepared to snuff in the open air for 12 hours +. Dark navy blue color does a great job at camouflage any messy stains from suspicious eyes, and they make a great fire starter in case of a survival scenario. I use about one pack of 30@50 cents a week, but will get a few bandannas for dusting and gala.

I bought a set of these 20 hankies and switch out about every day or every other day as I try to use soft paper towels at work. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/20-pk-of-new-polish-military-surplus-plaid-handkerchiefs?a=1808352 The colors (od green/brown) seems to be ideal for snuffing.

A nice broken in dark cotton hanky or bandanna is very tolerable, but a pre-loved vintage silk pocket square with the touch of an angel’s wing is my preference. I have invested in a number of maroon/navy/brown silk handkerchiefs in a variety of patterns from auction sites and vintage shops and my nostrils are thanking me for it. They get a wash in general laundry when they are grubby and just get softer and softer with use. I generally just use them for dusting off any excess after snuffing and for tidying up the nostrils if I feel drippy. For blowing my nose, it’s a trip to the ladies for a good blow on toilet roll, which is then flushed. Multitasking eh? So it’s silk for comfort and fanciness, bog roll for utility. works nicely for me.

Cloth is softer than tissue, If it is a light colored hanky then it’s used for a day, If it is dark colored then two or three days. If I have a runny nose do to a cold…well I may go through three hankies during a day

I find nothing better than the sleeve of my tee shirt… Not the one im wearing… I like to take old cotton shirts that are heavily worn and chop them up. No telling how many I have, I usually just wash them till they fall out of my pocket… Only to be found by some poor unsuspecting bastard I presume. Or start getting torn up. No real hankies to go by a mileage number. Some snuff blast out much, much larger piles… So, to save my rags life I go outside often, and just tidy up my face some so the cloth doesnt get too dirty. Otherwise. Well, it would be pretty gross. Probably would throw them away.

Until it stands up on it’s own =)) When you throw it against the wall and it sticks you’re getting close. I am so 13 :)) .Honestly I rarely need to use one, just lucky I guess.

A good ol “Farmer Blow” always works when outside. Indoors I use nose blows or snot rags, otherwise know as Kleenex.

Crikey… I have dozens of all sorts. After awhile of use they get ‘crusty’ so why suffer? Just throw in the laundry and grab another. If using white ones just be patient. after awhile they all take on a fairly camouflage sort of appearance…

I change my hamdkerchief daily and I wash them with my clothes regularly. I’ve never notice a permanent stain on them.