The two most popular questions I get asked are, "What do you do about toilet paper?" and "How do you handle your period?" I have talked about periods extensively. Make sure to check out my posts on menstrual cups, cloth pads, and period panties.
Did you know it takes 37 gallons of water to make one roll of toilet paper!? Beyond the water, think of all the trees it takes.
Americans use 8 million tons of toilet paper a year. If every US house used just one roll of 100% post consumer recycled TP a year, it would save 423,900 trees.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of options when it comes to toilet paper. I don't think that there's one right answer here, but finding what works the best for you.
family cloth:
Family cloth is a horrible name. It seems like the whole family uses the same cloth. *EW* But, really it's just a whole bunch of fabric swatches* used to wipe. After they've been used, they're thrown into a wet bag* and washed with the laundry.
This is out of my comfort zone. I know a lot of people make this transition after cloth diapering because it's the same principle, but I'm just not there.
I personally can't get past the ick factor. We don't have a washer and dryer, and the idea of having soiled rags around for a while gives me the heebie jeebies.
If you use this method, let me know about it in the comments. Did you get started because of cloth diapering?
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bidet attachment:
I have said it time and time again, I LOVE my bidet attachment. We just moved and left our OG Brondell* with the house. It was our moving gift to the new peeps. We're changing the world one bidet at a time.
I just got a Tushy bidet* for the new place, and I'm really excited to try it out.
Bidet attachments are great because they reduce toilet paper usage so much! They're also SO much cleaner. We reduced our toilet paper usage by 60%!
I can't imagine using family cloth without having a bidet attachment, but even with a bidet attachment, it doesn't always get everything. I'd say it gets about 90% though.
For more information on bidet attachments check out this post.
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recycled:
When buying toilet paper look for toilet paper that contains recycled content. 100% and unbleached is the best thing to look for!
If you can only find recycled paper in plastic film (plastic #4), recycle the film with the plastic grocery bag (plastic #4) recycling. You can typically find this type of recycling at front of grocery stores. You can also check out this website to find the closest film recycling to you.
Another option is to buy this type of paper by the case. When you buy a case, it often comes loose in a cardboard box and each roll is individually wrapped in paper. Look at your local office supply store. Here are a couple of the brands, I've found to offer this.
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tree free:
Tree free is a great way to go a little more eco-friendly in the bathroom. I find tree-free paper to be softer than recycled content and stronger even though the ply is the same.
If you live in a small house like I do, there are a lot of little companies popping up that sell smaller quantities wrapped in paper and come loose in a cardboard box like Tushy and Who Gives a Crap.
other ideas:
I've heard some people have hand held squirt guns* attached to their toilets which work similarly to a bidet attachment. Other people use just regular squirt bottles*, but I'm not entirely sure how that works?
Have you used family cloth or a bidet attachment? What's your favorite way eco-friendly way to get down to business?
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