schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030 
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Post by schizo319 on Mar 14, 2018 14:09:10 GMT
When I was growing up, I was friends with a neighbor kid whose family was the very definition of "dirt poor" - they had a "family cloth" in the bathroom (just one for the entire family of 5). As revolting as it was, it was also very eye-opening to me as a fellow poor kid, at least we always had toilet paper (or paper towels/Kleenex on the rare occasion that we ran out before mom had a chance to get to the store). To this day, I have an irrational fear of running out of toilet paper, as a matter of fact, we have run out exactly once in the 17 years we've lived in our house (and even then we had other paper products as a back-up).
I honestly don't care what other people do, but for me, toilet paper is not a concern when it comes to creating less waste - I'm much more likely to try to figure out a way to make less non-biodegradable waste. I remember a few years ago when one company took the cardboard tubes out of their toilet paper under the guise of being more environmentally friendly - I couldn't figure out why they didn't do away with the plastic wrapping instead of worrying about biodegradable cardboard...
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Post by librarylady on Mar 14, 2018 14:11:00 GMT
If it appeals to a person, go for it.
However, I don't see the point. If one thinks it is good for the planet--I'd have to see an evaluation of more laundry/hot water etc vs paper.
In my personal situation, I would not want to add another container in the very small bathrooms in our home, nor worry about creating the urine smell in the house.
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Post by LisaDV on Mar 14, 2018 14:24:47 GMT
I'm not grossed out by it. But I've seen it before many years ago so I've had time to get use to the idea. Also, I won't be going that route until the zombie apocalypse makes me do it.
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Post by gizzy on Mar 14, 2018 14:30:11 GMT
Not happening here.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,366
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Mar 14, 2018 14:36:45 GMT
I'm not completely grossed out by the idea-- I was a big believer in cloth pads at one time. Now I don't need them (thank you, Mirena). But those were just for me, not to be shared by others. I understand that people are not at all comfortable with the idea of using these cloths that have been used by others in this way, even though they are washed between uses. I feel this way as well.
That aside, I would not do this for regular bathroom use because it's just too much laundry, and after a few years of having a diaper pail in the house, I'm just not up for that again.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Mar 14, 2018 14:39:08 GMT
Someone I knew from a parenting board 16 years ago did this. Flannel butt wipes she called them. I have had 16 years to get used to the idea, but I think it would take some sort of apocalyptic scenario before I resorted to that. Although, I’ve heard great things about bidets and would consider than option before washable turd rags. 😬 A family friend had a small handheld showerhead next to the toilet instead of installing a whole bidèt. Could be an easier and cheaper option since you use it with the exsisting toilet instead of installing a bidèt. I think it was just hooked up to the water from the sink next to the toilet. They sell toilet seats with a built in bidet. Best thing ever. |
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,535
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Post by RosieKat on Mar 14, 2018 14:58:36 GMT
I have no interest in this personally, but I probably could do it if I needed to. I think I might have to have different colors for different people though. (I would want white for bleaching, but you can sew a colored thread border or something.) There are other things that gross me out more.
And yeah. "Family cloth" is a gross and terrible name. I 1000% agree with the person who mentioned those old gas station towels!
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Post by padresfan619 on Mar 14, 2018 15:04:07 GMT
Whatever floats your frugal boat, it isn’t for me or my family. We live in Southern California where we are almost always in a drought, we have to consider if we are being more wasteful with trash or with water.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Mar 14, 2018 15:11:12 GMT
I would do it, and have considered doing it for myself. My husband wouldn't really "need" a pee cloth. I don't find it any different than a diaper. Plus, haven't you ever used a washcloth to clean your bits anyway? How is this really that different? It's not. I love this place, it has so many germaphobes here, I keep saying someone needs to do a study. lol
I also reuse towels after they dry so there's that.
My next toilet will probably be a bidet.
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Mar 14, 2018 15:18:50 GMT
I'm actually very surprised this hasn't been commented on yet... She washes the pee rags WITH all of her other linens- that includes kitchen linens. There's not enough bleach in the world to make me comfortable with that!  I have no desire to use a pee cloth much less a poop cloth. As others have said, I would if forced to by the zombie apocalypse but not before. |
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Post by gar on Mar 14, 2018 15:34:31 GMT
I'm actually very surprised this hasn't been commented on yet... She washes the pee rags WITH all of her other linens- that includes kitchen linens. There's not enough bleach in the world to make me comfortable with that! I have no desire to use a pee cloth much less a poop cloth. As others have said, I would if forced to by the zombie apocalypse but not before. there are far germier things in your kitchen than a cloth or tea towel that’s just come out of the washing machine perfectly clean, regardless of what else was washed at the same time. |
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Post by hdoublej on Mar 14, 2018 15:36:33 GMT
To each his own but I don't think I could do this.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Mar 14, 2018 17:21:53 GMT
not sure I can bring myself to read the entire article, but I have to wonder why it's so gosh-darn eco-friendly when it has to be washed / cleaned in order to re-use? (washing uses energy and water, after all...)
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,340
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Mar 14, 2018 17:40:47 GMT
ACK!  |
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Post by papersilly on Mar 14, 2018 17:42:22 GMT
yes i've heard of it but no, just no, to using it. it makes no sense for me to use it because whatever resource i am saving by using reusable TP is only off set all the water i would waste and bleach i would release into the system just washing those cloths. and believe me, for a germaphobe like me, i would run that washer for hours and use gallons of bleach. so, just regular TP for me, thanks.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Mar 14, 2018 17:47:13 GMT
okay, so I had to google--
"As most type of TPs are completely organic, and now present in dissolved form (in the water treatment process), they are easily consumed by microbes. After biodegradation — the remains settle as sludge, which will be sent for further treatment (Most likely option is Anaerobic Digestion). The sludge solids are then further de-watered, and the solid cake is forwarded either for land-filling or composting. The compost obtained is sent for land application."
basically, it seems to me that the only thing family cloth is helping, is not spending the $$ to buy toilet paper, and potentially helping out the environment by saving the trees that would have been used to make the toilet paper / saving on the processing that would have gone into making the toilet paper. And saving a BIT by not having their portion of TP go into the 'solid cake' that would eventually have been sent to the landfill / compost.
I recycle all the paper and plastic I can, and I buy most of my clothes from thrift stores, so I'll consider that an even trade for using regular toilet paper.
ETA: we live in the desert, our yard is desert landscaping so nothing gets watered regularly, and I dry most of our clothes by hand instead of the dryer. More in the 'plus' column to offset my 'real' toilet paper use, lol.
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on Mar 14, 2018 18:32:05 GMT
We did cloth diapers and loved it, so conceptually, I shouldn't have a problem with it. But... I do. I absolutely do. No way in hell. My thoughts exactly!! |
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,402
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Mar 14, 2018 19:09:21 GMT
Absolutely not. No.no.no.
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Post by papersilly on Mar 14, 2018 20:02:48 GMT
I recycle all the paper and plastic I can, and I buy most of my clothes from thrift stores, so I'll consider that an even trade for using regular toilet paper. ETA: we live in the desert, our yard is desert landscaping so nothing gets watered regularly, and I dry most of our clothes by hand instead of the dryer. More in the 'plus' column to offset my 'real' toilet paper use, lol. this is how i feel too. i feel i do enough earth conservation stuff that the TP can be a gimme. that is my line in the sand when it comes to earth saving measures. |
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Post by sjwoody1167 on Mar 14, 2018 20:48:40 GMT
I have given up paper towels for the same reasons (expensive, not good for the environment, contributing to a throw-away society). I use rags for everything and sometimes they do get stained. I wash them with bleach or the Lysol germ killing wash additive -- I forget what it's called. I have been doing it for years (even when my dogs were not 100% house trained) and it is really no problem. I also use cloth napkins. I really don't use any disposable paper products except for toilet paper.
I am drawing the line at toilet paper though although I guess it is just my own selfishness and inflexibility drawing the line.
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030
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Post by schizo319 on Mar 15, 2018 11:55:06 GMT
They sell toilet seats with a built in bidet. Best thing ever Why did I not know this before I bought my husband's birthday present the other day?!? He's obsessed with the idea of having a bidet.  I guess I'll save it for Christmas "Merry Christmas, now wash your nasty ass"  |
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