Reusable Cloth Toilet Paper

Prepare yourselves! This one is going to be a big pill for most people to swallow. There are actually people out there that do not buy toilet paper and instead, use cloth wipes!! I know, I know... this sounds weird and gross, right? But hear me out! Toilet paper is costly (around 20-80 cents a roll depending on what you get) and harmful for the environment. Forests are cut down just to get the core material needed for the production of toilet paper. Toxic fumes are released into the atmosphere due to the chemicals used in paper pulp manufacture. Rolls are packaged in plastic wrap that will live on in landfills indefinitely. Trucks are needed to transport the finished product from factory to stores everywhere (transportation is the largest source of air pollution in the United States). All of this and what do we really have to show for it? Nothing (but pollution)! It's all getting flushed down the toilet.

Now, if you are currently cloth diapering a baby, using cloth toilet paper is a very easy and painless transition... after all, the cloth wipes can be washed right along with your child's cloth diapers. If you are not cloth diapering a baby, then I suggest making enough wipes so that you can do a small load of laundry once a week. Cloth wipes are easy to make. A single layer of flannel with surged edges is one way to make them. Two layers of flannel sewed together, turned right side out, then top stitched is another good one. If you are completely helpless in the sewing department, you can purchase cloth wipes (used for cloth diapering), use cheap wash cloths (I buy 18 packs of washcloths for $4 to use for general cleaning), or even cut up old t-shirts. For storage, a small wet bag (waterproof and stink-proof, washable reusable bag) works wonderfully.

Another thing to consider is that using cloth toilet paper doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing ordeal. Many people use cloth toilet paper for pee only and even families that exclusively use cloth toilet paper will still buy the disposable toilet paper for guests. I strongly urge you to at least give it a try. I'm willing to bet that you will be pleasantly surprised. Cloth toilet paper makes even the fluffiest/thickest toilet paper feel like cheaply made garbage and it will NEVER leave pieces behind (take that, Charmin!)