I have an overactive bladder. Or maybe just a small one. Either way, I pee all the time. I mean, ALL the time. It’s just the way my body is, and it’s only gotten worse since becoming pregnant. This became a problem when we hit hard times financially, as I was going through a roll of toilet paper every 2 days. This sent me searching for a better, greener, more cost effective solution.
I had learned from other crunchy blogs that people use fleece squares as reusable toilet paper, and I even tried it for a time with disappointing results. I don’t know what I did wrong. I got my organic fleece, made my double-sided squares, sewed up the edges, the whole kit and caboodle. But the fleece just didn’t absorb. It left me feeling damp and not at all clean.
However, I still liked the concept of something that could be washed and reused, so I decided to try a fabric that’s known for absorbency: terry cloth. I took some old washcloths, cut them in half, and stuck them in a basket on the back of my toilet. Guess what? It works and I love it! I feel clean and dry when I use them. I also keep a small spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of lavender essential oil for when I want to freshen up between showers.
In between washing days, I store my used wipes in a small, plastic bin lined with an old pillowcase. I also have a sign behind the bin that says, “Cloth wipes only. Please dispose of all other waste in the bin under the sink.” This is for when company comes over, so I don’t have to sort through dirty tissues and such before I wash my wipes (yuck!).
When I’m ready to wash, I dump the pillowcase upside down in the washer to get all the wipes out, and then toss in the pillowcase itself. Since I only use these clothes when I pee, I wash them with other towels and underwear in hot water and then tumble or line dry depending on the weather.
Yes, it may be a bit over the top for some, but honestly it is right there with cloth diapering. This has dramatically lowered our toilet paper waste and saved us a bundle. I’m a believer! Are you brave enough to give it a try?
