We finally decided to ditch regular toilet paper and switch to homemade TP, otherwise known as “family cloth.” (And we’re telling the whole internet!)
My husband and I moved away from toilet paper for a number of reasons:
(1) It’s dry.
(2) The chemicals it’s processed in are bad for those sensitive areas.
(3) It leaves particles. (Gross.)
Also, did you know that it takes 37 gallons of water, 1.3 kilowatt/hours (KWh) of electricity and some 1.5 pounds of wood to make a SINGLE roll of toilet paper? [1] Not to mention all the energy it takes to process it from our sewer system.
Chemical-laden baby wipes are no good either. They have things like methylisothiazolinone in them, which I can’t pronounce. As a general rule, if I can’t pronounce it (or eat it), then I don’t put it in or on my body.
For years now, I’ve been getting really thin tears “down there” that feel like paper cuts. I’ve now learned that these are called vaginal fissures and can be caused by certain soaps, artificial fragrances, tampons, scented or colored panty liners, and paper toilet paper. When I got married, these vaginal fissures became even more of a problem, as they made intercourse very painful.
Think about how MUCH bleached, processed plant material we put in that area! Tampons. Disposable pads. Toilet paper. It’s all highly processed and full of chemicals, and we put it RIGHT THERE all up in our most sensitive bits!
The solution? Eating a balanced diet (check!) and cloth toilet paper. (I also gave up tampons to use a Mooncup instead, but that’s a different post!)
Okay okay. So is giving up TP taking it too far? Maybe for some of you who are less sensitive than me, it seems absolutely nuts. But guess what?
After we switched to family cloth and cloth pads, MY PAPER-CUT TEARS DISAPPEARED.
For me, it’s life-changing. Living with those tears was terribly painful, and it made fun married-people stuff really hard. I’ve had zero tears since we switched. ZERO. Not even one. And to be honest ladies, I really feel like I’m pampering myself! It’s like when you go to a spa or fancy hotel and they don’t have paper towels, they have fluffy white washcloths that you throw in a woven basket. You know, THOSE? It’s like that, 3-5 times a day. :)
How to make family cloth
First, get some organic flannel patterns that you just adore. (I am seriously in love with these little birds!) Then, I suggest you get a cute little fabric bin to put the finished squares in. Simply cut, double layer, and sew into squares. Then you’re done!
Some of you might be thinking that this is going a little too far or that this is gross, but it makes so much sense to me. For you cloth diaper users, this may not be too much of a stretch. And if you’re really concerned about bacteria, instead of throwing the used cloths into a dry bin, you can throw them into a vinegar and water solution, and perhaps add a little tea tree oil, as well. Voilà!
Many people around the world prefer to rinse first, using bidets, some sort of water bottle or vessel, or even spray bottles. We use this bidet from Amazon, and we love it. It leaves us feeling so clean that the cloth is more just to dry than anything. We only ever need to use one square at a time; and overall, it seems much more hygienic than regular paper toilet paper, which sometimes doesn’t get everything and can leave paper particles. (Ew.)
Also, if you’re wondering if they smell. They don’t. At least ours don’t. Using water and cloth is so much cleaner than paper….I can’t even describe it to you non-water/cloth using folks. Pooping shouldn’t be that messy. If you’re having that much stink and mess…well…I think maybe you might want to evaluate more than just what you’re wiping with.
For me, family cloth has made my bathroom time just *that* much more luxurious, AND it’s helped to heal my body. Go on! Try it! ;)
Also, if you’re wondering about the squatty potty, you can learn more HERE.
I think your clothes are cute but rags would work equally well. I’ve never done this but I thought if I ever did I would use plastic squeeze bottle to spray and rinse and the rags/clothes to dry. That way the rags don’t become so messy.
I absolutely love this article and thanks for writing it.
I understand what you are saying, but if we take all the things we have learned from how the pioneers used to do things and how much easier and cleaner it is to do those same things now, it can only make life better. Back in the old days, God only knows where corncobs where thrown. With the old outhouses, there usually wasn’t a handy way to wash hands and I know they didn’t have turn on faucets and sinks. Being able to make these cloths and place them into a bin with water and vinegar till they can be washed makes it more sanitary. It only takes minutes to sew one cloth which won’t be tossed. They can be made from any soft and smooth cloth around the house. One can cut up old sheets, old clothes that are beyond repair, etc etc etc. Just like anything else, it takes time to get used to it.
You’re missing a third (and very important) reason not to use toilet paper: Hemorrhoids. There are some estimates that as many as 75% of people over 45 have hemorrhoids at some point, and if you do, you’ll find that using toilet paper is painful, at least, and definitely makes symptoms worse.
I stopped using toilet paper at home about 2 years ago, but I simply take a shower whenever I have a bowel movement. I’ve thought about getting a bidet, but the shower serves my needs most of the time. I can’t say one way or the other about using cloth if you don’t have hemorrhoids, but I can’t see that wiping with cloth would be any less damaging. The very act of wiping aggravates things down there. So I’ll stick to washing.
I feel like washing it would be the grossest part. And when you wash something is it ever truly “clean”. I don’t think it is. That grosses me out too. What if you wash your clothes and some e coli from your feces remains and then you use the same clothe to wipe pee….you could get a UTI.
to the writer-
If you’re really concerned about wasting water then why do you still have a conventional toilet? Why not get a composting toilet? And do you hand wash these towels? If not, aren’t you aware of how much water washing machines waste?
that’s actually what I was wondering about…. the water/energy used to wash them.
I mean if they’re covered in poo, I’m not gonna just throw them in the machine and turn it on cold with a little soap…. no… I’d want hot water and I’d also be like ok there are probably still poo particles in the machine which would get on my normal clothes when I wash them.
I’m actually curious about that!
I don’t think that is as ideal for women as it is for men.
Actually as a former nurse; I would say it is extremely appropriate for women…I would use a squirt bottle to clean and also wet the cloth ..soaking in white vinegar and water disinfects. Washing with underwear and in hot water should be sufficient cleaning. If you are really worried about germs…put a small amount of tea tree oil in washer (as long as you are not allergic to it) I do this if anyone is sick in the family (which is rare).
Hello,
I’m wondering if you could tell me how many cloths you made (and the size of the family), and how many cloths each person would go through each day?? Do you end up needing to wash them every day?
Thank you!
I made around 40 or 50 cloths, and they typically last me a week. I am the only one that uses them.
Thank you so much. :)
Another benefit of family cloth: better for the plumbing in your house! I have IBS and spend a lot of time in the bathroom. I’d been using adult so-called “flushable” wipes to keep myself clean, and they clogged my pipes. Stopped using those, and the pipes still clogged–with just normal toilet paper! I already used cloth menstrual pads (the moon cup just doesn’t work for me, though it’s a great product), and my niece is in cloth diapers, so I knew all about that. I switched to family cloth and never looked back. I’ll admit that there is an adjustment period, and I prefer to wet the cloth before I wipe for poop, but since I’m single and live alone, it really doesn’t create a lot of extra work or laundry.
What is z mooncup? Never heard of that. TIA
http://www.revivedkitchen.com/2012/09/why-i-love-my-mooncup/
it’s interesting to see that so many people are doing this or are considering doing this. We got a Biobidet a couple years ago and it’s great! We still use toilet paper, but much less. The bidet is also great to use during the “monthlies” for freshening up. When we travel, and there are no bidets, it’s gross to have to wipe sooo much, and irritating to tender bits. I saw an ad for the Squatty Potty, but I’m surprised to see how many folks are using it. I’ve squatted in the woods a few times, so I know how more natural a position it is. Maybe we’ll start using a stepstool in addition to the bidet. Thanks for posting all the personal info. Everybody poops!
BLESS YOU!! I LOVE this article! I am in my fifties and for years have thought I had some kind of complex ‘cos I like to wash and dry after #1 and #2. I use face washers and keep my own supply in my ensuite. I wash them exclusively with MY clothes AFTER soaking and rinsing. Your article has made me think of something which might appeal to some of the more squeamish readers. I remember seeing a cute little hand operated washing machine for camping etc. It is very small, uses hardly any water and would be perfect for a few “private things”. Even a container shaken like a milkshake maker would do the job. I hear you about those tears too . . . as we get older, the downstairs areas get thinner and more sensitive :(