Personally I believe frugality and “going green” go hand in hand. For example, when you replace your conventional light bulbs with CFL (compact fluorescent lamps), you are saving money in the long run because they use a lot less electricity than your regular light bulbs and last a heck of a lot longer too. The other day I was reading a message board, and the issue of “family cloth” came up. If your first thought was “what in the heck is family cloth?”, then you were thinking along the same lines as me.
Family cloth, also known as cloth wipes, is basically reusable cloth toilet paper. They are 4″ x 6″ squares of fabric, mostly flannel or cotton, that you use to wipe yourself with. When you’re done, you put them in a “wetbag” and then wait until you are ready to do laundry. When you have enough to launder, you throw them in your washing machine on hot with a little baking soda if you choose. You get bonus points if you use laundry detergent you made yourself.
When I heard of this, I immediately was disgusted. Who would want to do something like this? You would be surprised. Many people liked the idea because they were not only saving money, but they were saving the environment as well. Personally I can’t bear the thought of wiping myself with cloth after “#2″ and then having to wash it, but to each their own. Many people use cloth wipes on their babies, so why not do it for adults as well? Here are the pros and cons that I’ve come up with:
Pros:
- You save money from not having to buy toilet paper.
- You help save the environment from chopping down more trees.
- You aren’t using bleached paper on your “private” parts.
- It’s more comfortable.
- If you run out of toilet paper, you can cut up an old t shirt and use that.
Cons:
- Is it really sanitary?
- Can you get past the fact that you are going to reuse the cloth you just wiped yourself with?
- What about when you have company over, do you just hide your cloth?
What is your opinion on family cloth?
Posted under Extreme Frugality
This post was written by Mrs Money on September 5, 2008
I’m almost nauseated from that idea. Going green is one thing, but doesn’t most toilet paper biodegrade anyway? I’m sure it saves money, but that’s money I can throw down the toilet with no problem.
Yikes !
Todd- I know!! I just thought it was a really interesting topic and I thought I’d get other peoples’ opinions too.
Um…. Thanks but no thanks.
I’d use leaves before reusing and washing cloths.
You have to weigh up the benefits to the environment. Yes less trees will be cut down, but on the other hadn, there is going to be a lot more electricity used for all those hot washes.
Well just to let you know Muslim have astenga bottles, that is we keep a bottle of water, or watering can near the potty and wash ourselves after we do our business and I dry of with TP. I think its a lot more sanitary. I am American so I do like TP but the wipes thing sound perfect for us I mean we’re just drying off, and when diarrhea is a factor, my 4 year old has a bout currently, we can chuck the cloths if need be. I like it.
J- that’s very interesting. I think it’s a great idea for those who want to take it on!
Y’know, once you get past the initial squick factor, this isn’t so different from using cloth pads for menstruation or cloth diapers for babies. In fact, there’s probably less ick about this than diapering — you’re not actually defecating into the wipe, and you can keep water on hand to rinse off first. And, I guess, extra bonus points if you knitted your own cloths.
Cairsten- It doesn’t really bother me that badly. I could do it if my husband wasn’t freaked out by it!