Toilet paper?

I don't think we can store a signifficant amounts of toilet paper...It might be good idea to byu baby napkins made of gauze or some cotton...It's not pleasent to be in the bush without paper, so once I used a bandana...LOL.
It can also be used for feminine needs. I'm stocking about 50 pieces..

 

We buy it by the 96 roll cases here...so far we have 18 cases....always NEED more: "don't leave home without it"!
Ya never know what you'll need, or when, 'til it's too late!

 

According to the testemonies of the Bosnian war, the most sought commodity was TP! Since my space is not unlimited, I don't think I can store tons of TP...

 

2 words: Phone books

 

ROFL...lead poisoning...from the other side!

 

nah... They all used soy based inks here. But I hear ya - definitely needs a bit of "work" before use.

 

Hmmmm...how many phone books can one store?...LOL

 

One option is also to get some cloth diapers and a bucket. Once the disposable TP is used up you cut the diapers (or brushed cotton material of similar type) into sections and keep a couple dozen on hand. Have a bucket with some water in it and a lid that you toss them in when done and they get washed out/boiled out same as cloth diapers to be reused.

The diapers and a few packs of safety pins could also be GOLDEN for if you had kids at a bad time or for barter with others who did.

 

Right...cloth diapers...that's what I thouht in the first post, but couldn't remember the term, so I wrote baby napkins...lol...

 

I still accept phone books, they make cheap easy worm bedding, my little wrigglers can chew through a whole phonebook in a good year.

As for TP, I use cloth a lot in my house. We have a baby in cloth diapers, so I made up cloth wipes for his butt and I liked them so much that I made some more for hubby and I. 50 little flannel squares (5" x 5") work alright for a household of 3 if you can do laundry every other day. If you don't want to have to do laundry that often you might stock another dozen or so. Although, perhaps if you don't have to worry about a baby you can get away with using fewer.
I made up a dozen heavier wipes that are a square of terry cloth sewn to the squares of flannel, so that one side is soft and one side can do the hard jobs.
This type of setup is super cheap to do if you buy a yard or two of cheap flannel from the end of bolt sales or something, especially if you're not picky about the design on the fabric. Fair warning, some people balk at wiping their arses with cute bunny fabric, my hubby is one of them. :-D

 

Yep. There's a reason why dogs don't need TP.
There's also less incidence of hemorrhoids in squatting cultures.
I knew we were doing something wrong! :-0

 

I just read that if you take the carboard roll out of the TP and put them in the vacume bag they store nice.

 

Poop doesn't stick to water. I can think of a thousand things more useful to store than something to wipe my butt with.

 

Lol I was just thinking about this last night! I remember on my favorite show a guy told the past guy to stock up on toilet paper for te apocalypse because that stuff is gold!!! I started to save up some small things...basic sanitation. I'm a college student so not a lot of money to throw into it.

I'm wondering which is better, the lower priced single ply that means it rips easier, or buying the 2-3 ply that is stronger, however more expensive. Assuming one roll of each, which may last longer? I'm thinking the more expensive 2-3 ply...

 

Toilet paper alternatives for survival | Survival Sullivan

Toilet paper alternatives for survival

Every time you – well – do your business, you’re, quite literally, flushing hard-earned dollars down the toilet. No matter how much toilet paper you stash away, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with alternatives. The Ancient Romans used rose petals, the Scots used sheep’s wool, while royals historically settled for hemp and lace when visiting the washroom.
Besides being harmful to the environment, a waste of money and a scarce resource during a catastrophe, toilet paper represents an impractical luxury that can cause major plumbing woes when SHTF. It’s a such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and formaldehyde, not to mention chlorine as bleach. It also burdens already-unstable sewage systems, while toilet paper manufacture demands a great deal of natural resources (water, electricity and wood), all of which are precious commodities in a crisis.

The good news is that emergency alternatives to commercial toilet paper are simple and affordable and come in a variety of forms.

Cloth Toilet Paper
If you’re serious about going green, living healthy and saving cash, cloth toilet paper is a lifesaver. It may sound pretty outrageous at first, but wait ‘til you hear about the benefits.

Modern toilet paper as we know it is a pretty recent invention, with roll-shaped dispensers being patented in the late 19th century. Historically, our resourceful ancestors used natural materials, such as soft leaves, fruit skins or sponge to swab their derrieres. Wealthier people took lace, wool or hemp with them into the W.C. However, back then, cloth wipes weren’t washed after each use. In fact, entire families shared the same soiled toilet cloth!

You may be wondering if this is a sanitary practice – surprisingly, if done right, it can be. Urine is sterile, while fecal matter can be managed hygienically, making toilet cloths a perfectly viable option for servicing your family’s ablution needs when SHTF.

5 Reasons Cloth Beats Paper

• They keep you cleaner. Cloths are known to remove more waste than regular toilet paper without leaving particles behind. They can be used dry, reducing odor, bacteria and dampness.
• They are eco-friendly. Forget mass-produced, disposable rolls. This is a truly green, reusable product.
• They are more affordable. You can make your own from flannel, preferably patterned, to hide stains. Create a hem around the edges to prevent fraying. They can be washed along with the rest of your laundry, with no added water or detergent.
• They are efficient. They’ll save you time and energy because they’re easy to care for. Plus, you’ll never run out.
• They are healthier. With added softness and zero bleach, BPS, BPA or any similar chemicals, the cloth a kinder option for your body, especially in sensitive areas.

Keeping Things Sanitary

• Toilet cloths, better known as ‘family cloths’ because they are used communally, need to be used along with a small spray bottle to sanitize them after use.
• If someone in your post-disaster party is sick, remember to wash the family cloth separate from clothing.
• Washing machines are breeding grounds for bacteria. Residual build-up of these nasty little organisms can spread disease. If you do not use hot water and bleach for your laundry loads, remember to run your machine with these wonder ingredients from time to time, so that the interior is cleansed.
• Ensure that you have a sanitary storage system for cloths. A small trash can with a pedal is ideal for storing used clothes. Line it with a pillow case for easy transferal to the washing machine.
• Keep the trash can as dry as possible to avoid spreading bacteria.
• Before washing, rinse the cloths in a bucket of hot water mixed with vinegar to help to break down bacterial debris. You can substitute vinegar for detergent if you have it on hand.
• Use a plunger or similar device to mix up the cloths in the cleansing solution to help dislodge any stubborn waste particles.
• Even the best toilet paper alterative can leave undesirable residue. Excessive wiping with dry materials can cause irritation, especially for hemorrhoid sufferers. Washing yourself with fresh water is natural and refreshing, relieving irritation and improving all-round hygiene.

Roman Sponges
A stub of natural sea sponge and stick was all it took for the Ancient Romans to cleanse themselves post-toileting. The sponge was soaked in a water channel running in front of the toilet (most of which were public!) and pushed through the hole in the front of the toilet bowl, where it would do its duty.

In a survival situation, we can learn a thing or two from the patrons of Rome. A sponge is lightweight and easy to pack, and you can find a stick almost anywhere. The only requirement is that you have a fresh water source close to your camp.

Au Naturel
If you’re short on sponges or cloths, there are many ways to substitute toilet paper using natural found objects. Explore your surroundings and you may come across some very interesting materials you never knew had some serious wiping potential!

• In the fall and winter, corncobs do the job. Just ask the British colonists. In the summer months (and if you find yourself in wine country), try grapevine leaves.
• Other leafy alternatives include Bigleaf Aster (‘lumberjack’s leaf’), the Californian abuliton palmieri, purple flowering raspberry and red mulberry.
• Salvage a few old phone books and mail order catalogs from postboxes. At least you’ll find some use for them when all telecommunications are down!
• Newspaper works too. Crinkled and softened broadsheet does the trick. And, while we’re talking about it, let’s not forget paper towels and paper napkins.
• Dry pine needles and pine cones are abundant and easy to dispose of. Pine needles may not win for comfort, but they act as a natural brush for getting rid of debris.
• Compact squares of moss are softer options, but take care not to let it crumble and fall apart.
• A smooth, oval-shaped river stone is a common toileting tool in Islamic cultures. It’s easy to find and comfortable to hold; just make sure you choose one without any sharp edges.
• Lamb’s Ear, a woolly, grey leaf native to Asia, is a soft, natural toilet tissue that grows in most temperate climates.
• Mullein grows in every US state and can be scavenged along roads and in fields and meadows. Not only does it grow over six feet high, it is instantly recognizable by its yellow flowers and large, bristly leaves. These make an excellent substitute for toilet paper.
• If you find yourself out in the cold when SHTF, you may be able to make use of your snowy surroundings. Snowballs, rolled tightly, can be great toilet paper. It’s delicate, yet gritty, and cleanses you as a bonus.

Toxic Toileting
On your quest to find suitable leafy substitutes for toilet paper, you’re bound to come across some nasties. Here’s how to spot nature’s most deadly:

Poison Ivy

• Like its cousin poison oak, poison ivy leaves come in bunches of three. They are green with pointy tips. The middle stem is the longest, while its side leaves are mitten-shaped, with ridges that resemble ‘thumbs’.
• Its vine has hairy protrusions that are also toxic.
• The leaves turn a reddish hue in the spring.
• Do not touch this plant or use it as firewood. You’ll find them growing against rocks and around larger trees.

Poison Oak

• This nasty little shrub is deciduous, which means it loses leaves in winter. Its leaves, recognizable by their smooth, rounded edges, are tinged with red in the spring.
• Depending on the climate, it shows itself as a climbing vine or ground cover.
• The leaves and stems are covered with sticky oil covers. The oil causes a stinging, itching rash if exposed to skin. It spreads very quickly, so be careful not to touch other parts of your body. Wash your infected clothes immediately.
• When encountering poison oak, remember the old hiker’s mantra: ‘Leaves of three, let it be’.

Poison Sumac

• The harmless staghorn sumac, with its jagged leaves, fuzzy stem and red flower, often grows alongside its poisonous cousin, the poison sumac is the non-poisonous version
• You’ll know the poison sumac by its clusters of 7-13 rounded leaves.
• Its stem is smooth and fuzz-free.

Prevention

• Besides direct contact with a poisonous plant, it is possible that you may suffer indirect exposure through tool-sharing, touching livestock or wearing infected clothing. It is even possible to inhale toxins by burning poisonous vegetation.
• Symptoms of skin contact include a red rash, bumps, patches and blisters which contain contagious fluid, swelling and widespread itching.
• Protect yourself and your party from poisonous plants by teaching them how to recognize these toxic species while out in the wild. You should also know how to protect yourself against exposure as well as treatment methods if symptoms occur.
• Wear long sleeves, pants, boots and gloves when foraging for food or firewood. If clothing becomes exposed, wash it separately in hot water and detergent to avoid cross-contamination.
• Stock your first-aid kit with barrier skin creams containing bentoquatum. These should be washed off and reapplied daily.
• Always clean your tools thoroughly with alcohol, disinfectant or soap. Keep your gloves on while scrubbing, as toxins from poisonous plants can stay active for up to five years!
• Arm yourself with a respirator to protect against combusting wood from poisonous vegetation.

What to Do If You’re Exposed

• If exposed, immediately wash your skin with alcohol, plant poison wash or detergent, mixed with plenty of water. Make sure you rinse frequently.
• Scrub under your fingernails, as toxins can get trapped there.
• Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream, must-haves for any first-aid kit, will help to relieve itching and blistering.
• An antihistamine such as Benadryl may also reduce itching, but make sure you follow the directions on the package and prepare yourself for drowsiness.

While toilet paper alternatives are most likely to be easily sourced, cheaper and healthier, even naturally-sourced wiping tools can pose challenges to your survival. Make sure your trusty toilet paper is non-toxic and does not contain any poisonous toxins that can leave a nasty rash in the most sensitive of places! Have you ditched the modern loo roll in favor of more creative substitutes?

 

Snowballs.