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Toilet paper is not the end all be all, there are alternatives.
When the world battles a crisis with a lockdown, people panic. Consequently, people start panic buying that almost every shelf in every store is empty.
Including and most especially the toilet paper shelves!
And if you are one of those who are worried they’ll run out of toilet paper and can’t find any in the stores, don’t panic! As there are alternatives for toilet paper.
If you are used to frugal living, most of the alternatives below will not be new to you.
Best Alternatives For Toilet Paper
Coming from an Asian origin, I still think that the best way to clean your behind is with soap and water.
Toilet paper just wipes away the you-know-what so there will still be residue but with water, you are actually washing your behind thoroughly.
So here are some of the tools you use with water to clean your behind.
1. BumGun
A bumgun originated in Asia and it is basically a spray faucet that you use to clean your behind.
2. Bidets
A bidet is a French invention that is attached to your toilet and squirts water to your behind so you won’t need toilet paper. You can just towel dry yourself when you are done.
3. Dipper
Also known as “tabo” in Filipino culture which is basically a medium-sized scooper. It is used by scooping water and pouring it on your behind.
4. Spray Bottle
A reusable spray bottle can be used to spray your behind with water until you are clean. Depending on how strong the spray of water, it might take a little longer to be completely cleaned.
5. Lota
Commonly used in South Asia and the Muslim region, the “lota” is basically a water vessel that looks like a teapot with a handle and spout. The spout is directed at your behind while water pours through the spout.
6. Squirt Bottle
A squirt bottle, also known as peri-bottle, is commonly used by a mom who just gave birth to wash her perineal. It is basically a bottle that you can fill with water and squirt to your rear end until you are clean.
Obvious Paper Alternatives For Toilet Paper
You’ll be surprised to know that there are a lot of alternatives for toilet paper. You can find most of them in your home without even trying hard.
7. Wet Wipes
Wet wipes are meant to clean your hands, face or surfaces but they are great alternatives to cleaning your behind as well. However, most of them are not flushable so make sure to have plastic bags in the bathroom.
8. Facial Tissues
Facial tissues or Kleenex makes a good alternative, you just have to use more because they are so thin.
9. Paper Towels
Paper towels might be a better alternative to Kleenex. However, they can be rough for your behind but soaking it water can make them great wet wipes.
10. Table Napkins
The paper table napkins are meant to clean your mouth but can do the same job as the toilet paper.
11. Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are meant to clean babies but they are also good for your behind. Honestly, it might even clean your rear end better than a toilet paper.
Cloth Alternatives For Toilet Paper
Cloth alternatives are gentler on your behind and can also be reusable. Some cloth alternative that you can use are:
11. Sponge
12. Old Clothes
13. Old Towels
14. Old Sheets
15. Reusable fabric toilet wipes
16. Old Socks
Cut the cloth or rag into squares or any desired size. After using the cloth, dump it into a small bucket near the toilet with water and disinfectant of your choice. Baking soda, a few drops of bleach, Lysol or Borax would do.
Then, when you’re ready to wash them rags, just drain the water into the toilet and flush. Put the entire bucket of rags into the washer every few days and wash on the sanitize cycle.
Less Obvious Paper Alternatives For Toilet Paper
Okay, if you run out of the paper and cloth alternative mentioned above, look around your home for any kind of paper. You’ll be surprised how much you can find.
You can find some ideas below. However, you have to be aware that these papers can clog your toilet so make sure you have plastic bags in your bathroom.
17. Newspapers
18. Cardboard Tubes
19. Napkins/Pantiliners
20. Grocery Flyers
21. Paper Bags
22. Bond Paper
23. Notebook Paper
24. Receipts
25. Books
26. Junk Mails
27. Calendars
28. Planners
29. Phone Books
30. Planners
Papers that are glossy do not work as well as the ones without shine so choose carefully.
Not So Common Alternatives For Toilet Paper
If worse comes to worst that you run out of any of the above alternatives, don’t lose hope. Here are some alternatives that you can easily find around you.
32. Leaves
33. Rock
34. Stick
35. Corn Husks
There you have it!
Not having toilet paper does not mean it’s the end of the world. We just have to be creative and flexible.
After all, people survived even before toilet paper was invented.
Anything else you can add to the list of alternatives for toilet paper?
Relates Frugal Tips Articles:
- How To Live Frugally And Simply
- Extreme Frugality Tips From Frugal Experts
- Best Budget Treadmills Under $500
- Best Hair Straighteners On A Budget
- Best Outdoor Fireplace Ideas On A Budget
Well this is definitely helpful during this pandemic we are having, and some of these I have never heard of or thought of!
Thanks for reading 🙂