When I first read about cloth toilet paper, also known as family cloth, on a message board, I thought the idea sounded interesting. But, when I told my husband about it he made a face and said "No way." I tried to forget the idea, but I just couldn't.
I continued to think about the claims I heard like "it's softer" "no more fuzz" and "I'll never go back" so I decided I had to try it. After all, I was already washing cloth diapers. I could just throw my cloths right in the washer with them, no extra work required.
When I first tried cloth wipes I just cut up some old t-shirts. I'll admit I wasn't a convert from the first wipe. It didn't seem a whole lot softer but I pressed on. The first wash was a success, they looked and smelled clean. Maybe this would work after all.
I am a stay at home mom, sharing one car with my husband, so I don't get out a lot. But, the first time after switching to cloth that I used a public restroom and paper tp I noticed a difference. The paper felt rough and uncomfortable, something I had not noticed before.
The next huge difference was the massive change in toilet paper consumption. I didn't really keep track before but I estimate we went from buying one huge package every other week to one small package a month!!! For a family on a limited budget this is a major savings. After noticing this I knew there was no going back.
Since then I've moved up in quality of my wipes. I decided the couple of t-shirts I'd cut up weren't going to be enough, so I made more. I took some old flannel I bought on clearance for $1/yard and cut it into squares. I put two squares together, right side in, and sewed them together leaving a small opening in the middle of one side. I flipped it right side out through the opening I left, and top stitched them. The flannel is very soft, washes clean and looks much nicer than a pile of shredded t-shirts sitting in my bathroom. If you like the idea of cloth wipes, but don't think you can sew your own look online for cloth wipes intended for babies. There are many websites that sell them and you can get some great prices and prints.
I continued to think about the claims I heard like "it's softer" "no more fuzz" and "I'll never go back" so I decided I had to try it. After all, I was already washing cloth diapers. I could just throw my cloths right in the washer with them, no extra work required.
When I first tried cloth wipes I just cut up some old t-shirts. I'll admit I wasn't a convert from the first wipe. It didn't seem a whole lot softer but I pressed on. The first wash was a success, they looked and smelled clean. Maybe this would work after all.
I am a stay at home mom, sharing one car with my husband, so I don't get out a lot. But, the first time after switching to cloth that I used a public restroom and paper tp I noticed a difference. The paper felt rough and uncomfortable, something I had not noticed before.
The next huge difference was the massive change in toilet paper consumption. I didn't really keep track before but I estimate we went from buying one huge package every other week to one small package a month!!! For a family on a limited budget this is a major savings. After noticing this I knew there was no going back.
Since then I've moved up in quality of my wipes. I decided the couple of t-shirts I'd cut up weren't going to be enough, so I made more. I took some old flannel I bought on clearance for $1/yard and cut it into squares. I put two squares together, right side in, and sewed them together leaving a small opening in the middle of one side. I flipped it right side out through the opening I left, and top stitched them. The flannel is very soft, washes clean and looks much nicer than a pile of shredded t-shirts sitting in my bathroom. If you like the idea of cloth wipes, but don't think you can sew your own look online for cloth wipes intended for babies. There are many websites that sell them and you can get some great prices and prints.
Comments
Thanks for the info. This is something I'm very interested in both to save money and the environment.
As far as the water goes, I'm washing cloth diapers anyway so I just throw them in. Plus it takes quite a bit of water to process trees into tp as well.
Jon
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/11/2008
I'm not sure how eco-friendly this really is. Don't you end up using more hot water to wash them correctly? The resources used to heat your water might be much greater than than the resources used to cut and process the renewable trees. Just a thought :)
west coaster
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/02/2008
I applaud your efforts at being more eco-friendly! I would like to add another way to save even more. Rather than using "old" shirts and other random pieces of cloth, just use the shirt or top that you wear on that specific day. I mean, it(the shirt)will go in the washer later anyway right? I've done this for the past two weeks, and it does not harm the fabric at all, provided you use a good detergent.
Jaime aka Zaxmama
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/16/2007
I tip my hat to you Mama, I CD and EC my little one, but I am not sure I could move on to Family cloth..Maybe for Urine but not for waste. But I applaud your efforts nonetheless!
the unknown comic
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/15/2007
YIkes! Someone has too much time on their hands! Ha Ha! I'll bet it is nicer but, I have trouble with keeping up the the laundry as it is! Good for you!
Shirley Oppelt
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/15/2007
Sounds good and it seems you really investigated and gave it a good try. The earth thanks you.
Brooke
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/15/2007
I couldn't just read and not post a comment! Well said! Hope all is well! We miss you guys!
I haven't had a problem with smell. My pail has a lid and I wash them about every 3-4 days when I'm washing diapers.
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