Would you use reusable cloth wipes for toilet paper to save a few trees?

Question

I don't think I could give up my Charmin extra strong that easy, but I don't mind if it is made out of recycled paper? So what would be the best way to conserve trees from being flushed?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

No one will argue that human consumption is having disastrous consequences on our environment. We need to take steps to reduce the amount of waste we produce and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Even small steps toward this goal require changes in habits and attitudes. Recycling aluminum cans and paper is socially acceptable. Similarly, many shoppers have begun to skip the paper vs. plastic discussion by opting to bring a reusable tote from home. What happens, though, when an item like the family cloth is introduced into the living green discussion?

Although family cloth discussions have are a hot topic on green and eco-friendly chats lately, most people are not familiar with the family cloth or its use. Even among very green households the family cloth creates controversy.

The purpose of the family cloth is to reduce the waste created by toilet paper. The environmentally unfriendly aspects of toilet paper happen before it arrives at your home. Trees are destroyed for the necessary pulp and large amounts of chemicals are used to turn the wood pulp into the soft, fluffy, white tissues we like to use. In addition, those darn packages of t.p. are big and a lot of fuel is burned getting them to their destination. These concerns are causing people to ditch their toilet paper and use a family cloth instead.

Eco-friendly families usually start out trying different cloths. Old t-shirts are the most popular source for family cloth pieces. Using them for a family cloth prevents them from becoming yet another piece of landfill. Cotton t-shirt material is soft and very absorbent. They also receive high ratings from female users because they don't leave any of that annoying tissue dust after usage.

For those unfamiliar with the family cloth, the name is somewhat misleading. No one seems to be certain where the term originated but is not an accurate title. Family members do not share a single cloth for their bathroom wiping needs. Each family has their own method, but most often a stack of clean cloth strips are left near the toilet in the bathroom. After use the family cloth is placed in a bucket. Every few days the contents are washed.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Yarg! really I was only kidding I swear, yuck. Well until they find more sanitary ways of cleaning the family cloth I'm not ready to go that route. Well what do they do with guests when they come over. Do they have to use the family cloth? Ick nasty I'm not coming to your house.Lol.

Answer 2

I say ban all the newspapers and junk mail !

Answer 3

I agree with lonewolf, can the junk mail. Sheryl Crow urges people to only use one square to help save tree. WTF, image how much she wastes flying around in private jets, hundreds of new clothes for every concert and photo shoot.

Answer 4

I couldn't use used toilet paper, recycled maybe. But get rid of all the un-necessary paper that is used daily, and that will help. :)

Answer 5

Ewwwwww...... Yuck!

Answer 6

no

Answer 7

Take the water that you would use with the cloth, and irrigate the trees. Irrigating trees allows them to consume the CO2 and make the paper.

But also go with post consumer waste for wipes.

Answer 8

sorry but no no no no i agree with the junk mail comments if i had a dollar for every geico or life insurnce mail pamplet i get i would be able to fill the forest with trees

Answer 9

actually i dont think companies are using trees that much anymore. i think they are using a formula of pulp and ceramics or clay. Some use Cotton as well.

Answer 10

I agree with the poster who said junk mail should be banned. Free 411 phone # and no yellow pages...

Answer 11

we all have to go at some time ... in the old days it was news paper.. it did save trees

Answer 12

jUNK MAIL, CHAINS LETTERS, THOSE U KNOW? Hey! Caps lock! Ok, you should reuse rough paper. That's what I do!

Bunnie Bones

Answer 13

I use my Hand...Just wash it off