Reduce Your Use of Toilet Paper
So, you might have a lot of questions before this even begins, but I promise, I’ll get there. Why reduce our use of toilet paper? Just like with so many disposable paper products, there’s a lot that goes into making that toilet paper that you just flush down the toilet and forget about. The trees cut down, the transportation pollution, the factories, the water used, the bleach, the packaging, more transportation, etc. to say nothing of the afterlife… And, again, the famous Kimberly-Clark company is notorious for using old-growth trees to make their products. You get the point by now, right? Reducing our use of toilet paper is going to help our environment. But how to do that??
REDUCE
One way to reduce our use of toilet paper, of course, is to just be more conscious about how much we’re using. Might not save a ton, but I think that being aware of it can make a difference.
The other method, and my favorite method, is to use cloth wipes. Ok, so before you skip this whole thing, please just hear me out and be open-minded. I know that some people get super weird about this topic, but I really think it’s becoming more and more commonplace. So, some folks use cloth bathroom wipes for EVERYthing. I mean, EVERYthing. And that’s super rad that they make that work, and maybe someday, I, myself, will be more open-minded and be doing that too. We use cloth wipes in our home exclusively for #1 visits, and, personally, I think that’s a good way to start. So, this may be a post really for the ladies…
I’ve been using cloth wipes (for #1 visits) for about 7 years, and I LOVE it. It’s funny when I hear people get grossed out by this because, now, when I think about using toilet paper is when I get a bit grossed out. It’s paper! No matter how hard the companies try, it’s either scratchy or fuzzy. When it gets wet, which is kinda the point, it’s pretty yucky. This is to say nothing of bleaches or whatever else might have gone into making this product. We have quite a decent stash of cloth wipes, but when I’m not caught up on laundry and I have to use toilet paper (for #1) my heart sinks.
Cloth is SOooooo much nicer. It’s soft, and, if you have a nice quality cloth, it seems to stay mostly dry, so it’s easy to handle. Yes, you save money and help the environment and all that, and I know that last bit should be my emphasis here, but, again, I can’t tell you just how far superior cloth is to paper.
So, how does it work?
The first step is to get a stash of cloth. This is a great time to reuse fabrics that you were otherwise unable to pass along. Or bits from your fabric stash. There are also many shops on Etsy and the like that sell these simple square pieces of cloth and label them as “cloth wipes” or “family wipes.” It’s actually kind of fun because your “toilet paper” can be a mix of super cute designs. As I’ve said in other videos, cotton is a super wasteful crop, so do your best to reuse other cloth or find organic cotton.
So, we just put a basket on the back of each toilet with a stash of cloth wipes for us ladies. Then we have cans next to the toilet where the used cloth goes, but, as I said, with cloth, you barely notice any wetness on them. It’s not like a can of wet towels or anything. And then, I just throw them in with our regular wash. And this is where I need to just step in and say if you’re going to be paranoid and doing a whole extra wash and dry load for 20 pee wipes, then this method might not be for you. It might not actually be helping… One suggestion though, if you are feeling weird about it for some reason, is maybe consider throwing the wipes in with a load of towels or sheets. I don’t bother folding the wipes like I used to; I just grab a pile from the clean laundry and stick them back in the clean basket.
I know some people have kids–girls–who use a lot of toilet paper, like toilets getting clogged, major battles, redness from excessive wiping, etc. Cloth is a great solution! If a kid uses one cloth or five, it doesn’t really matter. The one thing is to just train your girl early on to throw the cloth into the cloth basket and to let you know, for sure, if she accidentally throws one in the toilet. Also, if you’re not doing the #2s with cloth in your house, make sure this is clear as well.
Cloth wipes are great anytime, but when they really shine, if you graduate to using it this way, is on-the-go. I know, I know, I’m probably pushing the limits of your open-mindedness now. But I bring little zippered pouches when I’m out and about–one for clean wipes and one for used. Small makeup bags are great for this. The used bag just goes right in the wash with the wipes. Anyway, if a stall is out of toilet paper, no problem. If the toilet paper is one-ply, cheap, thin awfulness, no problem. Going camping? This method is THE BEST, because you don’t have any soggy toilet paper to figure out. Going swimming? Toilet paper is THE WORST after swimming; I can’t stand it. Cloth wipes? Totally awesome!!
Anyway, as I see it, cloth wipes are an absolute win. Save money, help the environment, and such a better experience.
REUSE
Ummmm….no. Obviously, right? But, as I will mention in the tissue episode, if you happen to have a roll of unused toilet paper that got mushed next to something weird in the back of the cabinet, or goodness knows what other reason you might think you don’t want to use it for its intended purpose, think about if you can use it for something else. Wiping up floorboards or greasy messes or something before just tossing it.
I will cover toilet paper tubes and paper towel tubes in a future episode with some more reusing ideas for those.
If you’re very into the cloth wipes idea already and those get to a point of being unusable, you can switch the cloths over to cleaning cloths at some point or recycle them in a textile bin.
recycle?
Again, if you happen to have an unused roll of toilet paper. I’m assuming the paper fibers are too small to recycle, but, again, if you have unused, natural toilet paper, there is a chance it could be added to compost. Do some research if that’s something that comes up.
TP inner tubes are cardboard and should be recyclable.
The plastic packaging should be able to go into any plastic bag recycling drop off
Ending Thoughts
I know that considering cloth as a way of reducing your toilet paper use and doing your part might just be too much for you right now, but maybe some of you are willing to give it a shot. If you are, I really think you’ll love it! But, if you feel this is “for a future date” or just not for you, and even if it is for you, but you still, ahem, need some toilet paper, at least consider shopping for smarter toilet paper. Look for paper from recycled content or bamboo. Look for companies who don’t use dyes, chlorine, fragrances, or excessive packaging. There are companies like one called, Who Gives a Crap, who really try to offer environmentally-friendly toilet paper. So, do some research, and thank you so much for reading and considering all of this. Your actions can and will make a difference!