We all know how bad it feels when you are just about to do a number two, and lo and behold! There is no toilet paper. A strange kind of panic comes in and you suddenly start doing a weird dance as you look all over the house for something to use. This is literally a race against time, and God forbid! You have diarrhea.
[toc]Due to the current coronavirus pandemic going on in the world, people have been hoarding toilet paper in their homes. This means that you are likely to get to the store when the last customer just picked the last roll, and will have to wait until the following day for the next deliver. This is just not acceptable.
It is time to think about alternatives just in case you run out.
Australians are already a step ahead. The country has been worst hit by the shortage, and recently a local newspaper provided extra pages in their issue to give people an alternative when they run out.
Before everything, we believe that you’re highly concerned about the pandemic. So…
Latest Update and Remedies for Owners of Small Businesses
Here are three reliable sources for you to have some insights.
- A map showing detailed data of global trend and your local state: COVID-19 Infection Map.;
- Go to this animated map and you’ll learn how the virus has become what it is today since the beginning of January
- If you prefer reading text, this live update tells you the latest news.
For small businesses in the face of possible financial difficulties, you can seek advice and support from:
- COVID-19 Guidance and Loan Resources by Small Business Administration, if you’re in the US;
- Small Business Association of Australia;
- Federation of Small Businesses, if you’re in the UK; and
- Economic Response Plan by Department of Finance Canada;
Now, let’s get back on track.
Normal Alternatives to Toilet Paper
Baby wipes
We suspect that this is what most people shall resort to since nobody wants to be cleaning up toilet paper alternatives after use. It is also not something most people would be willing to do often.
Baby wipes are a great option, plus they are readily available. The only problem with baby wipes is that they are a little more expensive compared to toilet paper, and not many people can afford to use them regularly.
Note: baby wipes do not break down the way toilet paper does. If you flush them down your toilet, the odds are that they will cause a clog in your pipes and the septic and sewer systems may fail to work well.
Related
Cotton tissue
This product is 100% soft cotton and chemical-free. It is unscented and ideal for sensitive skin. It is also reasonably priced which means that it shall save you money.
You can either use it while dry or wet for your bathroom calls and it works great at ensuring that you are not caught off guard, plus the good news is that most people normally have them in their homes.
Flannel squares
Flannel is a soft material that is used to make clothes. It is smooth and fine, which means that it is comfortable on your skin. Old flannel pajamas and sheets can be cut into lovely squares to make excellent substitutes for toilet paper. Knit t-shirt fabric is not great, as the edges are likely to roll up, which makes cleaning a little difficult.
This is a reusable toilet paper option and it is popular in most circles where there are long term shortages. Ensure to cut at least 8 X 8 sizes of the fabric square and use them in your washrooms, then wash, and dry them for re-use.
When washing, it is recommended that you include a disinfectant and hang them under direct sunlight so you can take advantage of the UV rays that act as a disinfectant.
Regular paper
This is usually the first option for most people who find themselves in a fix. You can use paper from notebooks, the phone book, or even any irritating letters such as from an ex.
Please note that some paper can be abrasive and not good when wet. You also do not want to have paper cuts in your private areas, so stick to comfortable paper such as paper wipes and newspapers. A newspaper is actually better than all the other options, and it is a very good idea when it’s wet.
Bidet
A bidet is a small receptacle or bowl that is designed to wash human genitalia, inner buttocks, the anus, and perineum when you sit on it. The modern version also includes a plumbed-in supply of water that is connected to a drainage opening.
Generally, users install it in the bathroom, right beside where they have to straddle, like the shower, sink, and toilet. Some manufacturers have their bidet products designed like a large basin, providing it with taps and a stopper to fill it up. Other designs even have a nozzle that can squirt water to help in cleaning.
Bidets are probably even better than toilet paper and Europeans who love this appliance do not even have toilet paper in their bathrooms. So, if there is a shortage, you wouldn’t even know it.
The old school bidets, however, are usually separate from the toilet and have got some squatty sinks and a small nozzle that can turn on the water. Some modern ones are inbuilt into the toilet seat and users activate it by pressing a button.
Sponges
Sponges were in use a long time ago during Ancient Rome where the royals would clean their butts with them. These sponges were usually attached to a stick for ease of cleaning.
They had a communal sponge on a stick that was reused, and although this sounds disgusting, you can still use it in modern-day as an alternative, but do not share or re-use. If you have to re-use, however, ensure to clean it thoroughly.
Millennials probably have never heard of this, and would be unwilling to use it, but when in a pinch, a nice soft sponge can do the trick.
Sanitary pads
A sanitary pad can come in handy when things are tough. The taboo surrounding menstruation and menstrual items shouldn’t still exist and men should be free to use them when there is need such as a shortage of toilet rolls.
Simply take off the wrapping and use the pad to clean yourself off, the same way you would use a toilet paper.
Pads are great because some of them can be really long, soft and made of cotton, therefore safe for your sensitive bottom.
Worn out socks
We all have a whole bunch of socks full of holes that we do not use anymore. If you have been wondering what to do with all the socks, then we have a solution for you.
Don’t you think it’s a good idea to keep those old socks, wash them clean, and use them as an alternative to toilet paper in case of emergencies like it is today?
Do not throw them away, but wash them with a disinfectant, cut them up into manageable sizes if you like to do so. Put them in a container in your toilet so they can come in handy when the supply of toilet paper runs out, as it’s suspected to do very soon.
You could use and throw out the socks after, or you could clean and reuse it later.
Old receipts.
Are you the kind of person that just keeps plenty of receipts lying around your house? Your dry-cleaning, ATM receipts, grocery receipts among others?
If you have been thinking of cleaning up and getting rid of all these receipts, don’t. They can come in handy when things get tough from the predicted toilet paper shortage as a result of the coronavirus.
Simply bundle them up a few at a time, fold them and then use them while on the toilet for cleaning yourself up.
What if Things Run out of Control?
You never know and it’s always good to know just in case…
Mullein Leaves
This is also known as “the Cowboy’s toilet paper,” and it is a plant that grows very tall with super soft leaves. The hard cowboys love using it when they are on the range because it serves them very well.
So, if the cowboys can use it, why not you? Not only does it look attractive, but it shall get you out of a bind when that precious toilet roll is finished and out of stock. It blooms very well in spring and it shall satisfy your lower cheeks by working towards cleaning you.
The added bonus of using this tree is that it can also help with colds and flu. Just whip up some tea and dip it inside.
Wooly Lamb’s ear
This is a tree that is very much similar to the mullein above. Most people have it growing in their back yard and it grows very well for at least 9 months, which means that you shall be sorted almost all year long, or for as long as there is a shortage.
The reason why it is a great option is that it is incredibly soft, absorbent and fuzzy, and also packed with lots of medicinal properties. It also makes a great bandage for wounds and stops bleeding when you have an infection. It is a very nice alternative to a toilet paper shortage.
Thimbleberry
You have probably seen this tree and even admired the berries that come from it. Now, besides the delicious berries, this plant is perfect for use as an alternative to toilet paper because it is soft and pillowy and not likely to irritate.
Banana leaves
This is one of the ancient forms of toilet paper that was used in the olden days. It is a great alternative because banana leaves are usually softer than normal paper and they can be used straight from the tree.
Banana leaves are pretty big and therefore you can get plenty of surface area space when using them. Just tear off each part carefully and fold it when you need to use it.
Your hand
This may sound so disgusting to you, but some cultures usually use their hands to clean themselves up after a bathroom visit.
In some places, people usually wipe themselves up using their left hands then sanitize those hands like crazy.
While this is not something you may be willing to do, in extreme events, you may be forced to take this route while trying to clean yourself up. Just ensure that you have some soap, and clean water and go to town on your butt.
But we surely don’t want that day to come.
Final Thoughts
So, if there shall be a toilet paper shortage in your country, worry not. There are plenty of options that can be used as alternatives to the elusive toilet paper.
The best thing about these alternatives is that they help you save the degradation of the earth as most of the toilet paper is made from wood pulp, which means that plenty of trees lose their lives.
A substitute such as cotton tissue is recyclable and this is very good news for the environment. What else alternatives do your use? Leave a comment to tell us.
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