How to Make Your Own Reusable Cloth Toilet Paper
Also Called Toilet Wipes or Family Wipes
Some people prefer to use cloth toilet wipes only for urination, using conventional toilet paper for bowel movements. You need to decide what you are comfortable with, and who in the family will use the cloth toilet wipes.
You will also need to rethink your bathroom set up. You will need a holder for the clean toilet wipes. A pretty basket or a small box could hold the clean toilet wipes. You also have to have somewhere to put the used toilet wipes. A small flip or swing type can works well, but anything with a lid will do the trick. Some people hang a wet bag (waterproof drawstring or zipper bag) near the toilet for the used toilet wipes.
How to Make Reusable Cloth Toilet Paper (Toilet Wipes)
Choose your fabric. Flannel, terry cloth, fleece, and t-shirt fabric work well. Depending on your choice of fabric, you will need to decide how many layers (or ply) you will need for your toilet wipes. For the toilet wipes, you can purchase new fabric, or cut up used clothing that you don't wear anymore. Remember that 100% cotton will be softer and safer for your skin.
Flannel and terry cloth toilet wipes should be two or three ply, depending on the fabric you choose. Cut the fabric in four inch squares. Place two or three layers together and stitch around the edges. It is best if you use a serger or overcast stitch. A zig-zag stitch works well. It will hold your toilet wipes together and prevent fraying.
If you choose fleece, you can simply cut four inch squares. Pinking shears work well, but a straight cut is fine if you don't have pinking shears. Fleece toilet wipes are thick and absorbent and only need one layer. These no sew toilet wipes are the quickest and easiest, however they may not be suitable for someone with sensitive skin.
T-shirt fabric is thinner than the other types of fabric, so you may need three or four layers for an absorbent toilet wipe. Simply cut four inch squares and sew together around the edges. T-shirt fabric will not fray, but will hold much longer with a zig-zag stitch
Toilet wipes are better for your skin and the environment. They are easy to use and easy to clean. Just toss them in with your every day laundry...wash and dry and the toilet wipes are ready to be used again...and again.
Published by Pam Freer
Pam considers herself to be a free spirit, prefering to march to a different drummer. She can often be found scrounging around thrift stores and yard sales. She also has a love for animals (thus a vegetari... View profile
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- Make your own toilet wipes.
Are easy to make.
Save money.
Are safe for sensitive skin.
Are environmentally friendly.
Reduce stress on septic systems.
5 Comments
Post a CommentThe cost of washing "Family Wipes" {I have my own exclusive set} is well amortized over the course of the life of the wipes. If the cost of washing them is compared to TP which has to go through recycling waste treatment centers before "breaking down" then I think even steven. HOWEVER the money I have saved NOT using TP is worthy of consideration. About germs, virus' and other contaminates: After using 1/8 cup of bleach, hot water and DRYING in the hot dryer NO THING survives. I do not have sets for guests, guests use TP. I am old enough to remember and have used cloth diapers, this is no worse. People have gotten to be such sissies!!
If you had done any research, you would know that Herpes does not survive long outside the body.
Diseases? What if your guests have herpes or papiloma? The non-boiling water in the washing machine won't kill it. Think of all the non-environmentally friendly treatments you'll have to go through to keep that under control?
This is environmental friendliness taken to an unhealthy extreme. How 'bout some leaves from the outside? Then throw them in the garden for some fertilization. There, the environment is happy.
I love finding ways to help the environment while saving money, but I don't think I could do this for a number of reasons. The energy that would have to be used to properly wash the wipes would somewhat defeat the purpose - especially since toilet paper is designed to break down. However this is a creative idea and a well-written article. I'm not trying to be negative or insulting in the least, and I respect this idea.
no offense, but, ooh yuk! :-) I live in Thailand and we use soap and water EVERY time we go to the bathroom (there's a nozzle next to every toilet in Thailand so you can wash yourself), then just pat dry with toilet paper. You use a LOT less toilet paper, it's much more hygienic and you're cleaner! :-)