Environmentally Friendly Toilet Paper

  Call me nuts - but I'm not alone!  If you've never heard of cloth diapering - from this point out your are going to think I'm some kind of nut case...though this may be, I still would like to share with you another environmentally friendly concept that is by far not new.  Just forgotten perhaps.

   American's have been flushing money for decades now, but before that - what did they use for centuries?  REUSABLE TOILET PAPER.  This little bit of fabric can save you a lot of green over time, and leave you feeling cleaner with a softer wipe.  If you talk to a veteran cloth rump wiper, they will tell you how annoyed they get when going out in public and resort to the use of abrasive cheap paper.

Some call it family cloth, reusable wipes, reusable toilet paper...but no matter what you call it - it's such a cleaner and softer alternative.  I chose flannel for ours.  Yes, ours.  My sons' are hooked as well.  My middle son that the specialists' claimed would not make it to see his 1st birthday - is totally hooked.  He was diagnosed failure to thrive, and has severe Encopresis.  He is now 11.

  For less then $10, I was able to buy 3 yards of flannel.  (You can also use cotton, for hypo allergenic...they wash fine and you can sun dry them to remove any stains too).  With what I got, I made 55 TP sheets in the size of 4"x8".  I cut them down to this size with the idea that they would fit nicely in a thin baby wipe container to take with us on the go. {So we won't have to resort to unfriendly dry paper}.

Small pile in basket above the Toilet

  I also wash these by themselves rather then with our regular laundry.  After each use, I've a bin in each bathroom that has some vinegar water and there is NO SMELL.  Shocker rite!?!

  Sometimes they're used for #1, #2 or just for drying.  If you're not cracking up yet and still reading, here is a picture of the portable bidet I bought for cheap on Amazon.  And yes, it's used just like that!  As hygienic as we Americans are about washing hands and using harsh chemical hand sanitizers...you would think there would be more attention to detail when it comes to our valuable rumps., after all - it's our chair we take everywhere lol.  

  The first thing {I hope to purchase} when we buy a house is a bidet!  Or, at least modify our toilet with a bidet add-on kit.

Yep, it's used just like that!

  My first reaction was "Ewwww!  I could NEVER do that!"...but after trying it with an open mind, it's rather refreshing!  I think the thought was so appalling to me, I couldn't let it go.  Why did I get squeamish when thinking about my hygiene but wouldn't think twice about cloth diapering a baby?  For a #2, flush...and swish out your reusable TP and drop it in the bucket.  AND, if you have a healthy diet - #2 isn't greasy or messy to begin with.  I've taken so many measures to try to 'save our planet' and teach my children the same respect I have for it.  I started adding up all the money our family spends out monthly and yearly.  After talking to a few of my out of country pen-pals, this is normal.  You can find lots of sellers online making 'family cloth' rite now and check out their sold sections!  Aside from saving money, we're lessening our carbon footprint.  Except for my husband...he still refuses to try it.  So if you come to visit, don't worry - you have options ;)

*Also note, you don't have to run to the fabric store to buy new material.  You can up-cycle old flannel shirts, or flannel bed sheets.  From a fitted and flat sheet you can yield A LOT of TP.  *insert giggles, but have fun saving green - from your wallet to our planet!  Every small step helps.

  So what do you think?  Are you already a 'Cloth Wiper', would you consider it, or totally grossed out by the thought?  I can't wait to hear all your responses and check back for our giveaway for those interested in getting started with a sample pack!