Reusable Cloth Toilet Paper
We have hit the one-week “using cloth wipes instead of toilet paper” mark and we haven’t died. Nor have I given up shaving my armpits. So win-win.
Many of you, after throwing up a bit in your mouth, wondered why people go the reusable toilet paper/cloth wipes/family cloth route. Here’s a big list of reasons why one might ditch the tp and use homemade wipes instead. To be clear, we switched to reusable wipes as an experiment. Some of the reasons listed below are personally compelling to me, some are not.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Most modern toilet paper in the developed world is designed to decompose in septic tanks, so there’s no information I could find indicating it messes with our sewage. I’m assuming there’s little to no environmental concern with tp once it is flushed, but I could be totally wrong and the stuff could be causing fish death or the increasing growth of female facial hair.
The environmental issue comes from the manufacturing and delivery of the toilet paper. The average American uses 50 pounds of tissue paper per year which is 50% more than the average of Western countries or Japan. We use more toilet paper because much of the world use bidets or spray hoses to clean off the poop and we wipe it.
Toilet paper requires trees and Americans like their soft, fluffy toilet paper. From a NY Times article:
Fluffiness comes at a price: millions of trees harvested in North America and in Latin American countries, including some percentage of trees from rare old-growth forests in Canada. Although toilet tissue can be made at similar cost from recycled material, it is the fiber taken from standing trees that help give it that plush feel, and most large manufacturers rely on them.
Customers “demand soft and comfortable,” said James Malone, a spokesman for Georgia Pacific, the maker of Quilted Northern. “Recycled fiber cannot do it.”
Our wonderfully soft, white toilet paper requires using standing trees, and oftentimes it’s old-growth forests.
Recycled toilet paper is certainly a better environmental choice, given that it doesn’t require cutting down trees, but there is still the manufacturing that uses natural resources and I think it’s naive to discount the amount of energy, water, chemicals, and fuel it takes to make the toilet paper.
Using reusable wipes means:
- You’re not using trees to make the toilet paper.
- You’re not using the chemicals and resources required to manufacture the toilet paper.
- You don’t need the packaging to keep the rolls together (plastic shell and the paper covering individual rolls in some cases).
- You don’t need the fuel to transport the resources to the toilet paper making plant and the product from the plant to the store.
PERSONAL
Every single person out there reporting on their experience with reusable homemade wipes rave about how it feels. After the first few uses, everyone sees the wipes as an actual upgrade from toilet paper, even the fluffy three-ply stuff.
- Wipes are soft.
- They clean your parts better (and don’t leave bits of paper behind), partly because you’re using a wet cloth for #2.
- No chance of “finger break-through” that puts you in contact with feces (urine is sterile, so you’re good with that type of contact).
- They help prevent hemorrhoid irritation (you know that wiping paper on those things makes it worse, right?).
- Toilet paper creation requires chemicals. Wipes means no bleach, BPA, BPS, or other processing chemicals coming in contact with your body.
FINANCIAL
Many, many, many of you commented that washing the wipes would negate any savings over buying toilet paper. Wrong. It’s actually much cheaper to buy and wash reusable wipes.
Cost of using toilet paper:
Americans use an average of 20,000 sheets of toilet paper a year. Here’s the math for my family of 6 (I’m not counting Baby Lucy), using the average sheets per person:
20,000 sheets x 6 people = 120,000 sheets used by our family per year
120,000 sheets / 264 sheets (the # of sheets in an Angel Soft double roll — the Amazon deal we often promote) = 454 rolls
454 rolls x $.50 (the most I’d pay for a double roll) = $227 per year
I don’t like paying $.50 per double roll — I shoot for $.30, so that would be $136.20 per year spent on toilet paper for our family.
Cost of using reusable wipes:
SUPPLIES
$21 for 7 yards of cotton flannel fabric at JoAnn’s to make the wipes
$2 for 2 plastic garbage bins
$4 for 2 sweater-sized laundry mesh bags to line the garbage bins so I don’t have to touch my husband’s wipes
WASHING
Our entire wipes supply fill up about one-fifth of our front-loading washing machine. I end up needing to wash them about three times a week and they do get washed with other clothing in hot water. I used the calculator here to determine it costs about $.50 per load using our equipment (washed with hot water and dried on hot, including detergent costs).
0.6 loads per week x $.50 per load = $.30 per week to wash the wipes
$.30 per week x 52 weeks = $15.60 per year
YEARLY COST COMPARISON:
Toilet paper = $136.20
Reusable wipes = $42.60
Obviously, the price of wipes in the second year will plummet because you’re not factoring in the cost making them. Also, you could just cut up an old towel, shirt, whatever to make the wipes for free.
Still fascinated? Be sure to read why we tried out using reusable cloth toilet paper and our big reusable cloth toilet paper FAQ post.
Reusable toilet paper not your thing? No biggie.
Here’s a quick link to all the toilet paper deals on Amazon!
This post may contain affiliate links. See the disclosure policy for more information.
I started this last year (2020) when obtaining TP was next to impossible.
Update:
Now, it is 6/2021 and I have all but stopped using my Me-Made cloth wipes. Most probably because of convenience I suppose. For a while I went to using both. I also use wet wipes like for babies. Actually was using them before the reusable cloths. All three are in my bathroom.
My only complaint about using the cloth reusables is the odor in the receptacle I keep mine in. Thankfully it does not permeate into the room really. I do use baking soda, but honestly, that does not seem to help. How often was I washing them? Probably weekly. I made SO many cloths (they are in a me-made basket next to the toilet) so I would not run out. After about a week it is time to wash and put back out.
No one in my home (me and hubby) except me uses them (thank goodness). Oh, I also notice staining of my flannel cloths from the “big jobs”. We have only cold water running to our machine. Perhaps not having scalding hot water is making a difference in getting “big job” stains out [shoulder shrug].
Oh, and I serged the edges of my cloths. Many are coming apart and are ragged. I refuse to pay someone else to make them. IF I ever made more perhaps I could look up another video on how to construct them better. They are still functional so be it.
Bottom line: I like the idea of reusable booty cloths. I should pick back up using them.
Very Helpful and Informative post.
Know why WE are going to do this???? Huh? Wanna know?
Apparently I did not believe fat meat is greasy. I had the nerve to go to the grocer’s and then Dollar General today (3/29/2020) in search of . . . . wait for it . . . . toilet paper. THERE IS NONE!!!!
We are so on this. Mike drop!
I don’t think it’s a bad idea 🙂 Heck, I used to use cloth diapers on my children. They were washed and reused all the time 😊
Thank you for the thorough article. I’ve been using homemade wipes for a while and love them.
I actually use baby washcloths, made of terry cloth. Part of the reason is, my arms are short, so I need an assistive device to reach down there… and toilet paper is useless with those devices. So I was using wet wipes, but ALWAYS having to buy those, can really add up. So I got baby washcloths, with warm water. They clean amazing, and it’s no big deal at all– definitely no more “gross” than toilet paper. Some of my friends were claiming it takes too much time and work– no it doesn’t! rinse them out in the sink with hot water, drop in the bucket, which takes less than 10 seconds. Once they’re rinsed out with hot water, there’s really nothing left to stink up anything. If you must disinfect the sink afterwards, then spray some antibacterial spray in the sink, which takes about 3 seconds. You’re done! I really don’t get what the fuss over “all that extra time and work” was about.
Good deal. Thank you for responding. I am excited to get started. Ordered some flannel fabric from eBay since we do not live near any thrift stores.
I’ve actually never heard of reusable toilet paper, but it’s so brilliant. I spend about $240 on toilet paper in a year, so this definitely sounds like a better alternative.
One thing that concerns me about these posts is all the mentions of “lots of bleach”, which is supposed to be VERY bad for the environment, no? I use bleach very very very sparingly and always with a sense of guilt.
One person did say use vinegar instead, which makes sense to me — much safer for the environment and should do the intended job just as efficiently.
I live alone and have done the following for years. I keep regular TP for guests in the guest bathroom. I do not want to be talking about or sharing about my personal way to deal with the TP/wiping issue with visitors. Way too personal and undignified for me. So guests are not in on my system whatsoever. I use old cotton jersey or old cotton sheets and tear/cut into small blotters. I have never bought anything special to make blotters. I use them only for blotting (number one) and use TP for the other task (number two). I have a plastic waste basket in my private bathroom where I toss them. I wash the blotters with HOT water AND bleach AND vinegar and I wash them twice and use a second rinse on the final wash and I add distilled vinegar in final rinse. I dry them outside on the dryer rack if weather allows, or inside in the winter (trying to save money here, so air drying is part of the equation.) There is absolutely NOTHING gross about my system and it’s as convenient as keeping TP stocked up and saves money, too.
Hi Jill,
Thank you for sharing your highly efficient system for reusable personal cloths.
I’ve been thinking of doing this and ideally, I’d like to implement your way. Your system sounds reassuringly simple, economical and SUPER hygienic; I like the idea of a second rinse on the re-wash.
I value your long-term experience on this matter.
Best,
Janelle
To HOOPS
You are just not using your brain very well. NOTING you said is correct. NO one said to wash the cloths with the rest of your laundry. USE brain. First, when you have guests, if you only have one bath then put paper out as normal for the population. When its JUST you and family, switch to the nice clean washcloths. Store in small closed bin hamper. When full or nearly out of cloths, drop them all into the washer. NOTHING ELSE GOES IN THE WASHER. DUHH! Load with soap and plenty of bleach, set for sterilize setting which is really hot for two hours at least. When finished, they are sanitary and so is your washer. USE brain. Dry and fold as always. This is a no brainer. Simple, cheap, easy, sanitary, effective and way more comfortable. OH and did I mention cheap? Use brain.
Edward Smith,
You seem to have a lot of hostility. Wasn’t there a nicer way of making your point? Also, not everyone has a STERILIZE setting, for some of us, that the hot water and bleach and it doesn’t last for 2 hours. Maybe her water bill is already incredibly high. I know mine is. And not everyone likes the thought of dealing with other peoples poop. I would throw away my kids underwear when they had ‘those’ accidents because the violent gag reaction that I would have was JUST NOT WORTH IT to me. So to each their own. Maybe your kids poopy washcloth doesnt bother you. Good for you. If you are really dedicated to the idea, why not promote it to your guest? Maybe they would like to jump on the bandwagon. I think you response was kinda cruel. Also, I have read where they put toilet paper out for guest but since it didnt mention it in the article perhaps she had never read that before.
Yes I should have been nicer about it. The thing is that I truly become frustrated when people simple choose to not think something through. They decide something is bad before ever truly giving it a proper consideration. Same holds true for people who say “Oh no, I don’t like deer meat” and you ask them if they have ever tried it and they say no. HOW can you know without trying? THAT is what frustrates the hell out of me. Sorry I was stern and harsh. Apologies offered but PLEASE do think something through before rejecting it blindly. Have a great day!
So,
when I have friends and family over for holiday parties, they can all leave their wipes in my bin…then, I get to wash said wipes (in hot water) with the rest of my laundry?
Pardon me for not quite being sold on this idea. I’d rather stay with the TP.
oh ELL no, I do keep toilet paper in case guests come over.
So may people make things so complicated. I stop using TP a long time ago other than in my guest bath which is not used all that much. For my private bathroom in my bedroom I got a simple little covered plastic trash container with a removable plastic liner. Then I bought two dozen cheap white wash cloths. About a foot square. I fold them twice so they are nice little hand size squares. Stack them under the sink right next to my toilet. When needed I take one out, set it in sink and run water on it. Ring it out and open it so its only folded once. Now you have a double thickness moist soft wiping cloth. Use the first two inches for wipe one. Fold that toward you. Now you have fresh material for wipe number two. Fold again, wipe, fold, wipe. FOUR comfortable, wet, effective wipes for one cloth! For ladies using it for a number one cleanup, just wet it, ring it and leave it folded as was. Using one side, then open and fold back the other way and you have moist side two. Amazing! The just drop the used cloth into the bucket and close the lid. No smell in the least. Remember they are folded up now with the worst parts in the middle. When the bin is full, usually in a week, I just dump the load into the washer, add bleach, soap and set for the sterilize cycle and walk way. Two hours later I have a load of clean, fresh clothes that I just dry, fold twice and stack back under the sink to start all over. Super simple. Works like a dream and have all but eliminated buying TP. Why doesn’t everyone do this? SO much better than harsh, dry paper, irritating paper. Who thought paper was a good idea anyway? This does a WAY better job, feels amazing, and costs next to NOTHING. Get smart!
Good post. I have just started into my family cloth foray though i was grossed out by it for at least a year. Then, i ran out of tp one day and didnt have enough funds to get any and so grabbed one of the babies wipes. I have 3 kiddos (one is potty training, the others are still in dipes) and we cloth diaper and wipe which made me second guess my gross out factor since it doesnt make sense to feel gross about it with me but not with the baby. The reality is, i have a diaper sprayer attached to my toilet that i never use as a diaper sprayer but i do use it as a sort of bidet. I quick spray down then use the wipe to dry. Minimizes the mess, keeps me feeling fresh, and very rare to get much of anything on the wipes. Then at least while ive got little ones in the house i throw in with my cloth diapers and there you go. Hubs is not on board but isnt fighting it either.
Lynne!
That part about the spray bidet is so helpful! I appreciate you sharing that!
It alleviates the “bleh” factor, for me. I’m in the “thinking about it” stage.
Thanks again,
Janelle
I stopped using toilet paper some 15 years ago, because of my hemorrohids problems. I usually wash in a bidet, sometimes with “green soap”. I recommend it to anyone. Manuel from Spain
Green soap? Meaning the color is green or it’s easy on the environment? I’m totally curious!
Almost 20 years ago I stopped using paper towels and use small cloth towels that I usually get at an auto parts place. ( I am a guy, that is where I seem to live ) They are not very expensive but would be cheaper if I learned how to sew again and make my own. Washing costs nothing as they go into what ever is being washed. If you use the red one they bled like mad. I now use white ones meant for washing cars. Also use them instead of tissues.
Very interesting topic I never heard about before. I´m glad some people are mentioning bidets here. When it comes to using the bathroom, what might be normal for some people might shock others. Nevertheless, just wanted to let you know that in North African countries, people mostly only use water for cleaning themselves after the toilet. As I am not used to it, I always take my kleenex with me, but yes, this way most people there can go comepletely toilet paper or cloth free!
I got here after doing a Google search on “cloth toilet paper,” so I’m on board! I’ve been thinking about trying it for a while and there are some great ideas here. Definitely won’t be “sharing” with guests, at least at the beginning, and there will always be TP back-up. I live in an apartment so I have yet to see how this will affect me, laundry-wise (I have to pay $1.75/wash). In any event, thanks!
I’m past this problem at this stage, however, in younger years it would have been an issue with menses. I flowed extremely heavily and it was a relief to flush everything used to clean up. Seems with family cloth this would be a big deal cleaning up rigamarole making biology breaks longer than they already were. For me this aspect was messier than poop. . .just saying.
At some point in my life we had no money and had to use soapy washcloths to clean our potty parts. I was actually happier doing that. It was so much cleaner…That experience made it a no-brainer on the decision to ditch the toilet paper.
We have been using cloth wipes (we call them toilet rags) for about 3 years now. I’m so happy not to have to worry about TP or the expense of it. My husband is the “don’t knock it til you’ve tried it” kinda guy (I love him). My boys literally go with the flow, it’s rare for them to resist change. The boys were 15 and 11 when we started our trial run. I had recently bought a bag of microfiber rags at Costco and thought I’d start with those since it’s what I had on hand. I folded each one in fourths and cut them up. Some of the quarters I took and quarted again so the boys could have something small to wipe the dribble off their boy parts, and come to find out, it works fantastically for dribble on girl parts! I hate using the restroom at work or in public, I have to use TP…gross… We are all happy with the change, no one wishes to return to TP. I have a storage pail in each bathroom along with a spray bottle of water. Never has a stinky smell come forth. But we also eat more organically and try to avoid processed foods as much as possible. I don’t know if that’s the difference but we don’t have an icky smell in the bathrooms. We have guests. LOTS of guests! LOL I do the same thing anytime someone new to our “weird ways” comes over. “We don’t use toilet paper we use toilet rags. There’s a spray bottle of water next to the commode to mist it with. Don’t soak it just dampen it. When you’re done there’s a bin with a lid for you to toss it in.” A few people have freaked but then came around after they have used it. It’s always the same questions about why we do it. That list is long I’m thinking of printing it out and handing it over when they ask. 🙂
I wash them in a load by themselves with hot water, homemade detergent and vinegar. They are nice and soft and fresh smelling when they come out of the dryer.
Why go to the trouble of making special cloths? Why not just use soapy washcloths? I raised my kids before disposable wipes came along, and I washed their little bottoms. Sorry, girls, I did not toss that used washcloth in the diaper pail (too much extra laundry!) but washed it out on the spot and hung it to dry. No odor.
We thought about trying it and had this ridiculous conversation about it. We decided it just wasn’t for us. http://pioneerperfume.com/2013/08/09/cut-from-the-family-cloth/
I don’t know if you can say you ‘decided’ if you didn’t even try it. Your anecdote reinforces the typical American view that if something is a little out of the norm, it’s too weird and not to be tried. Too bad!
Haven’t travelled much, have you? If you had, you’d have realized by now that it is the HUMAN reaction to resist change—even in cases where it would make life easier. In fact, our culture takes to change much faster than many other countries and other cultures sometimes make fun of how easily we try new things.
I’m very intrigued! please include links to all products used, e.g. mesh bags, specific type of material for cloths, etc. Thank you! 🙂
You Go Girl! I’m in awe! My husband and I are thinking of getting a bidet seat that will attach to our toilet and starting there – I’m not sure I can get him behind reusable wipes… So glad you’re sharing your experience with us 🙂
My husband and I average about a double roll of TP each per week = about $30 per year for our household TP. I know that we could save that $30 by going to cloth wipes, but it is not a big enough budget item to overcome needing a container in each bathroom to hold used wipes and to set up a dispenser system for clean wipes and the laundry. However, I am very interested in having a better quality product that gives a cleaner wipe and softer on the tender skin tissues.
haha, I was just reading all the comments to my husband. This is an interesting post; and I’m surprised that 1. I never thought about it (we cloth diaper) 2. I was a little grossed out at first too. We have the whole set up for our cloth diapers, so I’m sure it would be easy to switch. Still not sure if we will, but interesting! thanks!
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. We are a hybrid TP-Family cloth family. Husband won’t go there – but frankly, he only uses TP for bms. I tend to only use cloth for #1; for a woman, however, that is a significant amount of TP savings. The kids will only proclaim themselves ‘clean’ after a bm IF I wipe with a damp cloth; I think it is a a holdover from cloth diapering. And we always have a roll for guests.
Because we are a cloth diapering family, right now everything just goes in with the diaper laundry. But when we were through with diapers for the big kid and still pregnant with the littles, I just just threw it in with the whites laundry (laundry bin in bath) which I wash on hot. I’ll bet that you have more ecoli on your kids undies from junky tp wiping than you have with just pee cloth.
Regarding smell – I have more problems with staying on top of the the boys ‘missing’ than with the family cloth. Because cloth wipes tend to be more substantial, the cloth never gets ‘soaked’ and thus dries before it becomes stinky.
Finally, I started our family cloth for way less than $30. Scrap pieces of flannel, doubled, around 5×8 size works well – get a flannel sheet from Goodwill. I just zigzag stitched around the edges. Even if you are a novice sewer, it is a really easy project.
You are totally right, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I admit, I use way too much tp and all of these posts have given me ideas on ways I can cut back and use less.
I would like to say, I have learned so much from frugallving in general -in many areas of life & the comments are part of that-keep it coming 🙂
Joyell may have a great idea for sanitation-adding the vinegar to the wash. I am a home care nurse & that is what we use to sterile medical equipment in the home-we let it soak for 1/2 hour in diluted vinegar solution-could let it soak for awhile in the washer too (I do that routinely with my wash-pause it for awhile to let items soak).
Another idea for the smell-when my son was a baby & we used diaper service, I had some drops that neutralized odors-really worked too with just a couple of drops.
That’s what I do, too, Charolyn, with my stinkier stuff (pause the washer and let it soak in vinegar for a while). What about using those extra-fine baby washcloths as an alternative, and rinsing them in hot water at the bathroom sink to knock off the “solids” before putting them in the “to-wash” bucket? Just an idea. I love the discussion. The very thought of tp coming from old-growth forests is making me seriously consider alternatives.
I don’t think people are being negative, just honest about what will work for them. I love learning about new ways of doing things, but I’m also realistic and know what will work for my family and what won’t. I think that’s what this is all about, learning and trying what will work best for you and your family. I’m interested to learn about how you can keep things sanitized with just hot water. I have a top loader and I’ll be honest, the thought of poop in the washer throws me off too. 🙂
Good grief at the Negative Nellies.
I have two questions:
1. This has been asked, but I’m wondering about the smell in the bathroom from the used wipes and what you do to help with that.
2. Your husband. Was he on board from the get-go? Did he need to be convinced?
And I guess I’d also love to know if this is something you see your family continuing on a long-term basis. Thanks for braving this territory that I’m as of yet too chicken to tread myself 🙂
I agree with Erin’s comments as well.
The post was put up here for us to comment on how we felt, Not everything will work for everybody Abby. A difference of opinion is not negative.
How many more ways can it be said that this isn’t for everyone
I appreciate the Q&A, definitely liking the upgrade from tp factor; better quality, less dependence on a product considered a necessity…It’s definitely interesting!
Interested to read about how you wash them. I just can’t imagine putting it with other clothes. (I’m reading these posts for entertainment purposes only, since I couldn’t even convince my husband to use cloth napkins at the table! Ha! But for the record, I don’t think I could get past the disgusting factor of these bathroom cloths.)
Sorry, but “disgusting” is a deal-breaker for me. It would probably save me even more to dig a hole in the backyard or just take a dump in the compost bin…still not going to do it.
Like!
I wouldn’t be mixing them with my regular laundry! My top loader would have a healthy amount of bleach in it. Just like last week in my house when 3 of the kids had stomach flu, everything the got sick on was separate and bleached. And with our water bill that is over $160 a month, and it is set to go up again this month, (and no, we don’t water our grass or have a pool), that would be more spend-y than .50 cents a load.
On the other hand, if you like the cleaner feel and you feel good about doing it, good for you. I totally get that.. I just don’t think that the cost is going to be quite that low for anyone in an expensive water district with a top load washer.
Prevention of the dreaded “finger breakthrough” does appeal to me-(and cracks me up-thanks), and no little bits of paper left behind 🙂
Adding more wash -as I don’t keep up so well, is what would hinder me.
Cool!
The ideamakes sense…but I think I’m with the majority who will pay for disposable 🙂 im frugal most definitely! But 4 kids around a basket of poopy wipes? Ill pass. 🙂 maybe ill try this when theyre all out of the house and its just us 2!?
In addition to the above questions about smell and fabric softener, I’m curious about the pattern for the wipes. I think you mentioned on facebook there was sewing involved?
This seems pretty extreme in general, and extremely gross. Maybe it would work for some folks but definitely not for us or anyone we know.
Very interesting. I am also curious about smell. I am a mom of 4 myself, and would be concerned about how sanitary my kids would be with using them :). Looking forward to hearing more.
As someone who lived in Japan for five years and just recently got back to the US… People do love using electronic bidets in Japan, but the seats are also used for warming and other functions. Therefore, one also has to consider the electricity that goes into that–I’m not sure if that’s “greener” than toilet paper, especially as in Japan there is an issue right now using electricity considering the shutdown of most of the nuclear plants. Just want to add this in as something to consider when you try to decide what the “greener” choice is (and this may also vary depending on the country you’re in, etc.)
Can’t see putting poop in my washing machine; no matter how good I was at getting the ‘big stuff’ off first. There’s enough e-coli out there already.
I also did cloth diapers and wipes with my kids and know of other cloth mamas that did cloth wipes some of the people on boards I was on also bought the sprayer to attach to the toilet for spraying down diapers I though to keep less poop on diapers maybe help with less stains. Cloth wipes in our house if I tried them not sure my kids would use them I would not have a problem with it I used wet bags in my diaper buckets and for traveling with diapers and wipes with kids I would like the wipes to be warm. I say that is money well saved to pay off debt or bills or save. I donated a ton of all my diapers wipes covers to my EX-SIL would be ready to try if I did not have to make them
This is a interesting experiment, and thank you for sharing your experience.
I wonder how much the cost of growing the cotton (lots of pesticides), processing it, manufacturing the fabric, and shipping it to and from wherever, would affect the overall cost (price and environmental)? Advanced math, and probably wouldn’t affect one’s decision yes or no.
Also, do you use fabric softener with these wipes? I didn’t use it with cloth diapers because it ruined the absorbancy, but do they end up too scratchy without it? That’s one of the jobs I dislike the most about laundry- separating out from the wash load the things that need softener vs the things that shouldn’t.
Similarly I don’t use it on towels-I too notice it decreased absorbancy-don’t notice increased scratchiness.
I use vinegar in place of fabric softener. Does that have the same effect on the absorbency? If not, you might try that. I find that it works wonderfully. Plus it’s a natural cleaner to help out the detergent and hot water.
I wonder if it would be even better if you did get a bidet to use first. They have ones you can buy and attach to your existing toilet easily enough. It would give you a cleaner feel and probably reduce the need for wipes- or at least reduce the grossness factor on them.
We have three bidets installed in our three toiletes. $35 on sale on Amazon.com. We still use TP for drying.
Concerned about the smell . . . diaper pails are notoriously stinky. And what happens when you have company? Do you hand them a cloth wipe or ration them with 2 squares of TP?
Our diaper pails only got stinky after 2 days, and you can sprinkle baking soda on it to cut the smell. Lol on the ration question!
I totally think you can wipe with whatever type of cloth/tp you want too. I just want to let you know that TP is really a bi-product of trees. So trees aren’t being cut just for TP.(husband is a forester) Proud of you for all your effort in your green challenge.
Alright- I admit that when I read your teaser I was totally grossed out about it. Not anymore. My gut reaction was weird since we did cloth diapering (and wipes)- and not the type with the flushable liners, the good old poop bucket type. Not much difference.