Family Cloth

by Rachel on February 5, 2010

Can you replace all paper products in your household with the reusable, washable, cloth counterpart?  Until recently I had almost all of my bases covered with cloth napkins and cloth towels in the kitchen, but what about the bathroom?  Iuse cloth wipes for my son for all of his diaper changes, so what about adults that want a similar option?

Just yesterday I was introduced to the term “family cloth,” which is a fancy term for cloth toilet paper.  I know what your thinking…eww, gross!  But, really, think about it there is no difference this and my cloth wipes.  I was even told about the added benefit of something much softer on your skin than even the softest toilet paper.  If I am already washing all of my son’s wipes with his cloth diapers, what would a few more be?

Wash this cloth toilet paper and stack up next to the toilet and they are ready to use.  Hang on of your cloth diaper wet bags nearby and wash every 3.5 days with your diapers.

Where do you buy family cloth?  Well, I don’t know if there is any one place to buy it, but I’ve read many suggestions about using old teeshirts and cutting them up into squares.  But you can also find some very cute patterns like the ones in the picture that women sell on etsy.com.

So I haven’t tried the cloth yet, but plan to make some one day this month and I’ll report back on my findings :)

Have you tried family cloth?  Would that gross you out (my husband says, yes!)?  Are you willing to try something that may be considered different?  Think of all the money you could save on toilet paper!

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Article by Rachel McFadden

Before motherhood I had an appreciation for our planet, but once I knew that I was bringing a new life into the world suddenly my urge to live a greener life was much greater. I knew that I must do my part to help create a beautiful place for my future generations to live. I take steps each day to reduce my carbon footprint. This blog is dedicated to documenting the changes I make in order to help others do the same.

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  • http://momof3dolls.blogspot.com Khrystina @ Mom of 3 Dolls

    I don’t think we are ready to do family cloth. I think it would be harder to try to find a place for the soiled cloth before you spray it down. My hubby would definitely be AGAINST it :) I’m trying to wean him off of the disposable ones…

  • http://www.ethanlukas.blogspot.com Melissa

    Ok, so I, too, have switched to using cloth for everything but the bathroom. I hear the term “family cloth” a few months ago and had to ask what it was! I bought a pack of 6 wash rags from the dollar store and put them in an old wipes container and put them in the bathroom. I get one wet at a time. I have a tiny trash can I keep in there for the used rags. I only use them when I pee but I save so much tp!!! And I have to admit I feel much cleaner after I use them. I wash them with the cloth diapers or the towel laundry. My husband doesn’t know I do this :) It’s just my little way to save money because tp is so expensive!

  • http://Www.blog.franklingoose.com Sheri

    I have never thought about this before. I definitely said “ew! Gross!”when I first read your post. Now, after reading the comment above I can see using it for pee only. I do believe though that that is where my husaband would put his foot down and where honestly I am not sure I am ready to go. When we visited Honduras we could not throw tp in the toilet and I felt pretty unsanitary about it.

  • http://lilmouse.blogsite.org Jill

    If you have time to explore, look up the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt. There were a few places on there that did sell family cloth, you just have to look at the sponsors link, and then look for the ones that seem the most organic/less commercialized, you know? They’re out there. We dont use them and you should have seen my husband’s face when I mentioned it. however, he does think that using napkins and such would be handy, we just haven’t made the switch yet.

  • Auntie E

    I love you Rachel.

  • http://musingsfrommomschool.blogspot.com Krystal

    When I switched to cloth diapers, wipes, feminine products, paper towels and napkins, my mom started teasing me about when I was going to start using cloth TP too.

    My husband would definitely not go for it. I think I could do it. I probably SHOULD do it. I am admittedly a TP over-user!

    Interesting post, and something to think about.

  • http://www.softandcozybaby.com Bayla

    I started using Family Cloth about 1-2 months ago and LOVE it! Maybe I shouldnt call it Family Cloth b/c I’m the only one who uses it! But feel like I am definitely the one who uses the most tp in the house – how much do guys use anyway? I think it’s softer and nicer and then it goes straight into my diaper pail which I keep in the bathroom. I dont feel bad using 2 or 3 like I do when wasting tp. We still have toilet paper in all the bathrooms for guests and DH, and when I run out of cloth I use it too. I only keep it in the upstairs bathroom but usually use that bathroom anyway. Hey, you throw poopy diapers in the pail, so what if the cloth is a little dirty too!
    Bayla
    Soft and Cozy Baby

  • Jeff9

    The best way to clean cloth diapers is to pre-rinse them off in the toilet using a Hand Bathroom Bidet Sprayer. So convenient and if you are trying to help the environment (and your pocket book) you can give it a double whammy by virtually eliminating toilet paper use at the same time as you benefit from using it on the diapers, by using it on yourself. I’m not sure how many people know this but that is what they were originally created for. I think Dr. Oz on Oprah said it best: “if you had pee or poop on your hand, you wouldn’t wipe it off with paper, would you? You’d wash it off” Available at http://www.bathroomsprayers.com they come in an inexpensive kit and can be installed without a plumber. Now we’re talking green and helping the environment without any pain.

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