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.
The key is using the water first, as she said. As a muslim, I always use water first and then usually only have to use a few squares of TP to dry off or check for poop. This totally makes sense. I’m surprised moreppeople in the West haven’t figured out that using water is more sanitary. After all, we don’t bathe by rubbing ourselves with a dry washcloth.
GOSH. Thank you. I am almost tempted to start a campaign. Wash with water – using a spray nozzle. (Easier than a full bidet.) And then dry off with a clean cloth. Half the world has been doing that for centuries and it is SO SO SO much cleaner and less wasteful than dry-wiping/ baby wipes/ whatnot. When I travel to Westernized countries, I am traumatized for days on end as I have to follow this elaborate ritual of dry-wiping and showering every time I go to the toilet. (Google ‘bidet showers’/ ‘health faucets’ to see what they look like. They are the BEST.) People of the Western world, PLEASE switch to washing with a little water and THEN wiping dry. No infections, no tears, no paper rolls, no wastage, no plumbing issues, no dirty laundry, no streaking, no hassles.
I’ve been using family cloth for almost 3 months now, but I’m curious do you use cloth when you go on vacation? I use it when I go out, but I don’t know about my upcoming 10 day trip whether I should figure it out or just use paper.
So I have a question. Everyone I’ve talked to says that this is absolutely disgusting because then you have poop on a piece of cloth and you try to wash it where you wash your other clothes. My thought though is that these people wipe their butts with toilet paper which can’t actually get all the poop off. I’m sure there is still microscopic poop on their butts and then they put their underwear back on. I guess I just don’t understand why it is any different. The same thing goes with little kids. When they poop in their underwear by accident people rinse it and then wash the underwear like normal. How is it any different? I’m totally on board for family cloth although I would feel a little weird sharing poopy ones with other people. I mean I won’t wear their underwear either. I’ll probably have designated colors for people at least for poop.
I like your response the best… different colors for different people in the house! I am concerned about the colors of dye in the fabric though… perhaps organic white flannel would be best and then you could sew with a different color thread per person? :-)
You are absolutely correct about there being no difference. In fact, studies have shown that the common American household has enough fecal matter on their kitchen and/or dining room tables to make you GAG because people won’t wash their hands properly after using the bathroom. These cloths are much cleaner and more environmentally friendly. The only thing you mention that I find funny though is when you say you wouldn’t use someone else’s poopy cloth. LOL You DO know they are one-time use, then put in the laundry container, right? What do you do about towels? You know that, unless you color code or identify towels (or live by yourself and never have guests who use your shower or bathtub), you have a good chance of using a towel that someone ELSE used on their bums? I find it hilarious that we, especially in the United States, are so “disgusted” by our own bodies. That’s especially evident in some of the other comments on this article. It’s really pretty sad.
Great post!! I haven’t tried family cloth yet. My kids and my hubby think I’m weird as it is for using dish towels to dry my hands instead of paper towels. They don’t understand the waste. I’ve been using mama cloth for about a year. It’s made “that time of the month” a lot shorter and a lot less messy. I don’t buy dish sponges any more. I just crocheted my own. They work so much better and the best thing, aside from them being reusable, is that I’m saving quite a bit of money.
If you don’t consume or put anything on your body that you can not pronounce then how do you explain the nail polish in the picture. Nail polish is FULL of chemicals you can not pronounce. Just curious.
There are organic toxin free nail polishes as well as vegan nail polishes
There are actually a number of non-toxic nail polishes on the market! I really like this brand these days. :) http://amzn.to/18h12Zu
Have you looked around this site? This chick is the most Eco-friendly/conscious/informed person on the net. She’s thought of it all.
what about houseguests? do you have TP on hand for houseguests that don’t use FC??
Of course! We’re not really into forcing people to behave like us. ;) We try to make people comfortable in our home.
I am just beginning to use Family Cloth. So far I love it. I want to know if anyone has any suggestions on how to make this mobile. I work outside the home and would like to reduce my waste while out and about. Any suggestions?
I’m even considering bringing my own hand towel with me to reduce my use of paper towels while not at home.
Thanks!
Someone asked about how to make FC mobile….you might consider a cloth zippy pouch to carry them in (think old make up bag…??), and then a cloth wetbag (Planet Wise makes some small ones that easily fit inside a purse!) to toss soiled squares into…..just an idea/suggestion….
Maybe something like this: http://lunapads.com/extras/bags/wet-dry-bag.html
It’s meant for cloth pads, but I’m sure it would work just as well.
Used cloth diapers for my kids, would like to use MamaPads, but they are so expensive and I don’t have a sewing machine, and cloth TP makes so much sense. Have been using it myself for a while now. Just talked to the kids (ages 7 & 9, boy & girl) and they are totally onboard! We’ve been doing the Squatty Potty thing for a while too. Have been slowing becoming more “green” on purpose and by accident. Can’t really explain it but “green” and whole foods, etc. makes way more sense than anything else.
I just use old rags that I fold up because I couldn’t be bothered with sewing etc. My clean “pads” are in a hinged box on the back of the toilet. The folded rags just get unfolded and are then VERY easy to get clean.
Here’s our funny story about how we decided it just wasn’t for us! http://pioneerperfume.com/2013/08/09/cut-from-the-family-cloth/
Well, I taught school in China and broke om RIGHT wrist in India. (you might imagine the laughs I got in restaurants) BUT–I never knew what those water spouts near the floor were for—and—No TP–OMG—Was just told to always carry my own TP–and most there do. BUT–now-here at home-I always have (for just myself) some soft terry cloth -former-wash cloths-that I use (more than once and no odor) for No. 1. I feel I save money and help save the planet. My husband has been cruel in his comments to me about this. I often save my unused paper napkins in restaurants and used, still clean, paper towels for No. 2. (folding small and putting in reg. trash like they do in So. America and in many countries. (don’t want to chance a plumbing blockage.) They do this in many countries but my husband screams at me (he is hard of hearing in his old age) and says I should go live in another country. You give me he confidence to tell others about this and to upgrade my cloths and, I might even put a sign on them in my bathroom, with TP still visible for guests. Thanks again, With gratitude and respect, Ramona (do you know how to send copy of this reply to my e-mail? Want hubby to read it. Thanks again.