Washable Toilet Wipes vs. Washing Your Body?

Kmac15 · #21 12/12/07, 08:12 PM

I admit to being in the TP group, but I also use the disposable wet wipes for cleansing and comfort.
I do not feel I have a poo-phobia as I had to use cloth diapers for our son. I used a vinegar and water diaper pail that I dumped into the washing machine and used a rinse cycle on before the washing each morning.
I have no problem with someone else using the cloth wipes and admit that is a SHTF situation I would use them, but I am sooooo glad that at this point we can afford toilet paper

naturewoman · #22 12/12/07, 08:17 PM

Wrong thread...too many threads on the same topic!

EasyDay · #23 12/12/07, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.

Not Here. Can't tell ya how many times I've heard " Dad, Come look at this!" They seem so proud of their accomplishment.

LOL... Unfortunately, I can relate!
My dd once hollered from the bathroom, "MOM, when's the last time we had corn?". That was about 15 years ago.

So, I'm buying her a T-shirt for a gag gift that shows a brown poo with yellow corn and says, "Corn poo. One of life's great mysteries."

naturewoman · #24 12/12/07, 09:00 PM

Well, you got me looking BelleL, so thank you for that.

In the process of making TP from virgin wood, they use chemicals to break it down into a soft slurry...but they reuse the byproducts of this slurry liquid and about 95% of the cooking chemicals are recovered and reused. So very little of the chemical is left in the tp, or drained off into waste.

The biggest problem I can see is the bleaching process used in making virgin TP, to make it white enough. And you are correct, we need to find processes that don't put so much bleach into our water systems...but guess what sewer systems use to purify the water before dumping it into sloughs? You got it...bleach. And if you are already dumping bleach into your drains after purifying the rags, you're just adding to the problem.

Quote:

Companies that make paper from recycled products use oxygen, ozone, sodium hydroxide, or peroxide to whiten the paper. Virgin-paper manufacturers, however, often use chlorine-based bleaches (chlorine dioxide), which have been identified as a threat to the environment.

Toilet tissue made from recycled paper is made from both colored and white stock, with staples and pins removed. The paper goes into a huge vat called a pulper that combines it with hot water and detergents to turn it into a liquid slurry. The recycled pulp then goes through a series of screens and rinses to remove paper coatings and inks. The pulp is whitened somewhat and sanitized with oxygen-based products like peroxide. It then goes through steps 7 through 10 like virgin paper products, producing a cheaper, less-white paper.

So here, a huge difference could be made by everyone buying recycled TP, rather than virgin. Yes, it will cost a bit more..but isn't it worth it to save our water? I bet I can buy it at the natural foods section of my grocery store.

BelleL · #25 12/12/07, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturewoman

Well, you got me looking BelleL, so thank you for that.

In the process of making TP from virgin wood, they use chemicals to break it down into a soft slurry...but they reuse the byproducts of this slurry liquid and about 95% of the cooking chemicals are recovered and reused. So very little of the chemical is left in the tp, or drained off into waste.

The biggest problem I can see is the bleaching process used in making virgin TP, to make it white enough. And you are correct, we need to find processes that don't put so much bleach into our water systems...but guess what sewer systems use to purify the water before dumping it into sloughs? You got it...bleach. And if you are already dumping bleach into your drains after purifying the rags, you're just adding to the problem.

So here, a huge difference could be made by everyone buying recycled TP, rather than virgin. Yes, it will cost a bit more..but isn't it worth it to save our water? I bet I can buy it at the natural foods section of my grocery store.

This is my goal to inform others of the T.P. making process. Thanks for your concern of the water!
We have a wonderful well that provides fabulous water!
Oh, I don't use bleach.
I went to the cloth to reduce the disgusting process of T.P.

BelleL · #26 12/12/07, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyDay

Belle, you do realize that repeated exposure to borax can may cause reproductive defects, don't you? One of the pluses of borax is that it doesn't contain chlorine... but you kill that advantage by using bleach.

You are confused. I DO NOT USE BLEACH!!!!!
Yes, I know all about Borax. I have a very close friend who is a scientist, and explains chemical exposure to me.
I soak them in 1/2 cup of Borax, rinse, wash, rinse,and rinse again. All Borax is GONE!

comfortablynumb · #27 12/12/07, 09:19 PM

how about, use the plastic tubs of disposable soapy baby butt wipes first and follow up with a dry off with TP.
you hit the poo with wet, soap, and moisturizer, plus a disinfectant.

that has to be cleaner than dry paper alone..... I will admit.

I'll give it a trial week and report back on my adventures in butt wiping.

I'm gonna smell like a baby...
wait Ive smelled babies, thats not a good idea.

comfortablynumb · #28 12/12/07, 09:23 PM

I love the smell of chlorine in the morning... it smells like......
Washable Toilet Wipes vs. Washing Your Body? - Homesteading Questions

Victory.

naturewoman · #29 12/12/07, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelleL

You are confused. I DO NOT USE BLEACH!!!!!
Yes, I know all about Borax. I have a very close friend who is a scientist, and explains chemical exposure to me.
I soak them in 1/2 cup of Borax, rinse, wash, rinse,and rinse again. All Borax is GONE!

the borax is going into your septic tank, right? That means it's ending up back in the ground water. And your plentiful well will not seem so plentiful when the US is so starved for clean water that no one is allowed the use of water from their own wells any more...there are places like Colorado where that is already happening and collecting rain water is illegal too. You don't seem to understand that water is finite. The bigger this population gets and the more water we use and pollute, we are wiping out our most valuable resources. It doesn't matter how much you have now...it does matter how much you waste and pollute it.

comfortablynumb · #30 12/12/07, 09:33 PM

But poo and borax is natural.

EasyDay · #31 12/12/07, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturewoman

the borax is going into your septic tank, right? That means it's ending up back in the ground water. And your plentiful well will not seem so plentiful when the US is so starved for clean water that no one is allowed the use of water from their own wells any more...there are places like Colorado where that is already happening and collecting rain water is illegal too. You don't seem to understand that water is finite. The bigger this population gets and the more water we use and pollute, we are wiping out our most valuable resources. It doesn't matter how much you have now...it does matter how much you waste and pollute it.

Naturewoman, I almost said the same on the adjacent thread, but then realized that BelleL is 15 years old. Different perspective, young attitude, and more wisdom to be gained when her teeth get a little longer.

Meg Z · #32 12/12/07, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelleL

I wrote post about Washable Toilet Wipes. I make these, and USE THEM! They are made of 8X8 pieces of flannel, after they are used they are put into a pail of either bleach or borax and an Oxybased cleaner.

So, think about that! There is no difference in washing a washcloth that has been used on a behind, than washing a cloth that has been soak in a cleaner (bleach, borax, oxy-based cleaner,ect..) and been washed in the washing machine! Belle

In case you were wondering why people think you use bleach.....

M

Autumngrey · #33 12/12/07, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturewoman

the borax is going into your septic tank, right? That means it's ending up back in the ground water. And your plentiful well will not seem so plentiful when the US is so starved for clean water that no one is allowed the use of water from their own wells any more...there are places like Colorado where that is already happening and collecting rain water is illegal too.

Are you saying that people will not be able to use their well water cause it's contaminated?????

It's ILLEGAL to collect rain water???? And this would be because.......?????????

naturewoman · #34 12/12/07, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autumngrey

Are you saying that people will not be able to use their well water cause it's contaminated?????

It's ILLEGAL to collect rain water???? And this would be because.......?????????

I believe it's Colorado where people who have existing wells are being forced to meter the usage and pay for it (or not use it), and where collecting rainwater is illegal (that may be a different state). But many places are no longer allowing wells because the water tables are too low to support more wells for the area.

#35 12/12/07, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyDay

LOL... Unfortunately, I can relate!
My dd once hollered from the bathroom, "MOM, when's the last time we had corn?". That was about 15 years ago.

No poo'ing for 15 YEARS???? OUCH!!

LisaInN.Idaho · #36 12/12/07, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyDay

Naturewoman, I almost said the same on the adjacent thread, but then realized that BelleL is 15 years old. Different perspective, young attitude, and more wisdom to be gained when her teeth get a little longer.

I've never met a 15 year old girl who would have such a passion for discussing poop. Amazing.

EasyDay · #37 12/12/07, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaInN.Idaho

I've never met a 15 year old girl who would have such a passion for discussing poop. Amazing.

I've heard lots of 15 y/o talk a lot of poop... but to actually DISCUSS it? Amazing, isn't she?

comfortablynumb · #38 12/12/07, 10:16 PM

Shes 15?
so... she hasnt actually smelled another human body up close and personal as yet.

is she in for a shock or what....?

LOL

EasyDay · #39 12/12/07, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

Shes 15?
so... she hasnt actually smelled another human body up close and personal as yet.

is she in for a shock or what....?

LOL

Oh, she's 16 now.
And, CN... I wouldn't bet my bottom dollar on that one!

BelleL · #40 12/12/07, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meg Z

In case you were wondering why people think you use bleach.....

M

Hmm..you are adding words in between the lines, i never said that 'I' use bleach. This is an example of what germ freaks can do with their wipes. i don't recommend using bleach.
Try vinegar with your toilet wipes.