Toilet Paper

Ok, the one thing that I hear people make the most comments on is the presence/absence of toilet paper. And I can't really argue with them on some of the complaints about toilet clothes. But yesterday I had a brainstorm while I was working on a project.

The project I was working on was a roll of fabric "paper" towels. I realized that this idea could work for a fabric toilet "paper". Then you would be able to have a reusable towel but not have to reuse it before cleaning it. Just like the towels, you could take flannel or cotton knit. Cut it into the shapes wanted and use a serger on the edges.

Ok, for the towels you put plastic snaps on the corners to connect them before rolling them up. You could do that for the toilet paper or you could roll the sheets so that they overlap slightly and not use the snaps.

When it's time to use them - get a small closed lid garbage can and keep it slightly full of bleach water. Use your toilet towels as needed then put them in the can. Then wash them when needed. If you're doing laundry once a week then make enough rolls to get you through a week, and some to spare in case of emergencies. The bleach water will handle stains and germs. But I wouldn't recommend washing these items with anything else.

So does anyone else think the idea will work?

My question would be why go to all the trouble of making them in a roll? Seams like it would be easier to keep them folded in a container.

http://living.wallypop.net/wipes.html

wally pads

In our case, rolling them would be because it wouldn't cause as much confusion for my son. And from another point, it would work with existing bathroom fixtures. But yes for most even a small box of neatly folded clothes would have the same point.

I've never seen the wally pads before. It gives me more ideas to play with for making my own. I can't justify buying them when I can make them. Thanks for the link though.

I have been making "mama pads" for myself and daughter for a few years now. I also made family cloth pads. I took two pieces of lightweight flannel and stitched them together. That's it. I keep them in a recycled baby wipe container near the toilet and we use them for urine only. If we were in a situation where we had no TP, then we would use them for bowel movements too.

I used cloth diapers for my babies 24 yrs ago, and this is no different. They get washed in their own load and put back in the baby wipe container. The hardest part of using "family cloth" was getting my youngest to remember not to throw them in the toilet lol.

It is a good idea...same as cloth diapers. But I did wash them every day by themselves with bleach. Hung them outside no matter how cold it got. they were very soft and my kids didn't have all the rash problems that seem to be around today. It is a great idea.

And if you really want to save space, stuff as many as possible into a vacuum sealable bag and vacuum them down.

Kajun

TXKajun said:

And if you really want to save space, stuff as many as possible into a vacuum sealable bag and vacuum them down.

Kajun

Click to expand...

That's a good idea for setting some back. You should be able to stack a lot in a small space that way. I've found it to be a good way to use up scrap materials of certain types. Our situation is such that we started using these recently. And they work really well. My "used container" is a vinegar jug with an opening cut like a flap. It closes back tightly and if it ever starts to smell I can replace it. But so far no issues at all except that one of the clothes somehow got into the washing machine's filter and I had to get it out.

I've been making a few reusable versions of things that are normally throw away and I've been happy with them. I'm truly beginning to not understand why we've become so obsessed with having things that are one use only. My current roll of true paper towels is 6 months old because I only use it for those things that would make the towel need to be disposed of. Otherwise I use double sided kitchen towels I made that are the same size. They are perfect for small messes, easy to clean, and a wonderful reuse of old clothes/scrap material. Oh, and easy to make as well. My mother has decided that she likes them so I'll be making her a set for Christmas.

Here's a blog about living without TP.
http://www.themomcrowd.com/living-without-toilet-paper

If someone devised a home method to produce tp for after TSHTF he would be able to trade for almost anything he might want.

Humm.. need to do some research.

You should our toilet paper wall.

It is very common in many places around the globe simply to use water. Where I live now, a bucket and a small scoop are common bathroom "appliances". While it may be nice to have something soft and cushy, the added work, the soap and other supplies used and other restrictions may make it difficult to maintain in an apocalyptic environment. With the hand pump set up here, we will never run out of water. It may not be so appealing but it is effective ... and sanitary and sustainable.