Did you arrive at the store in hopes that you find what you need? And your greatest need these days due to Covid-19 is toilet paper? Again no toilet paper, you think in anguish, “what am I going to do?”
All is not lost. Here are some things that you can do and use. There are many other options that can be used in place of toilet paper, such as newspapers, magazines, old clothes, fabric, and even nature can help you through this. Heck, our ancestors used some of these items for years! Continue reading to find out other ways to take care of that important business, by using alternative items to stretch your toilet paper stash.
Where Did All The Toilet Paper Go
You might be wondering, where the heck has all the toilet paper gone? Have people gone mad? Hopefully you are not in a situation where you have completely run out of toilet paper yet! But if you have, these ideas will help you out. I am going to let you know how you can avoid being in this predicament and how to get out of it. I am going to give you ideas to help you from adding more stress to your life during these stressful times.
Not All Of It Could Be Due To Hoarding
One case scenario. The toilet paper shortage in some respect is because more people are home, and using more toilet paper at home versus using toilet paper at their workplaces because they are not there now. That is why not all of it could be due to hoarding. The toilet paper manufacturers also produce large amounts of toilet paper for commercial use. So all the toilet paper you would use at work when you were working is now sitting dormant and unused. So the residential stock is still the same but the usage has tremendously increased.
I am hoping that the TP (toilet paper) manufacturers get this together soon and switch gears or start giving up some of their commercial stock. There is a concern that the commercial stock is not desirable for consumers as the rolls are usually larger and the paper not so soft. But if it is good enough to use at work it is good enough to use in a situation of desperate times.
TIP: It might not be a bad idea to connect your local government agencies, churches or other places helping out the community with a local toilet paper manufacturer and see if they would be willing to let these organizations purchase in bulk and distribute them to the community. It is worth a shot!
One Item Takes Care Of Bathroom Business Better Than Anything Else
When it comes to your favorite food items, they can be replaced by other food items but only one item takes care of bathroom business better than anything else. So this is why there is such a shortage and it is mainly due to more home use and not so much work use. Toilet paper is still being manufactured at incredible speed and restocked, but it’s distribution is off balance.
But what if it does run out, completely? What to do then? What did our ancestors do? I am wondering if our ancestors went into this much of a frenzy about this natural human activity in the time of crisis as we are today?
How To Make Toilet Paper Last
THIS IS A WARNING….PLEASE, DO NOT FLUSH THESE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO TOILET PAPER DOWN YOUR TOILETS, IT MAY CLOG YOUR TOILET AND IT WRECKS HAVOC ON THE SANITATION DEPARTMENT OF YOUR COMMUNITY WHEN IT MAKES IT TO THE RAW SEWAGE TANKS!
Food Consumption
Here is something that would help but will most likely be frowned upon. Eat less, yes eat less and you go less. This does not apply to most people, but I know I could eat less food and benefit from it. So if you are eating less food, it only makes sense that your need to go to the bathroom would be less.
Only For Number Two
Only use toilet paper for number two. For guys of course going number one, does not require toilet paper, at least from what I think, not being a guy and all, I am just guessing. So all you females, you can use alternatives to toilet paper when making a wee.
You could do a shake and wiggle as our male counterparts. But for me, I want more than this. That only somewhat works in extreme situations as in a public toilet when you realize after the fact that there is no TP on the roll, grrr!
I myself use what I like to call “Wee Wipes”. These are reusable fabric cloths (mostly flannel) squares that I have cut out of flannel fabric and finished off the edges with a serger sewing machine, it keeps the edges from fraying in the wash.
If you have a sewing machine and not a serger you can zig zag the raw edges or fold them over in a small hem. You could also hand sew the edges if you do not have a sewing machine. And if you have no sewing skills at all, you could just use as is, it is just that the raw edges would fray when you launder them. But you could just trim them as they fray to keep edges tidy.
You can also use cut up towels, wash rags, unused shop towels, etc. Then I only then use toilet paper for number two. So if you have a house full of females this will save a ton of paper.
Tissues, Napkins And Paper Towels
A second choice for me would be tissues out of a box, that is if you have them on hand. Next thing that I have resorted to is paper towels, but I tear them in two and do not use the whole thing. Napkins can come in handy when in a jam also. I save all unused napkins from take out food. They come in handy when I have run out of other means.
I can’t stress this enough, do not put them in the toilet, it can clog it up! Throw them in a trash bag and throw them in the garbage.
Baby Wipes/Hand Wipes
I do not usually keep these on hand because I do not have a baby and I just never really use them. But if you do have these on hand they can come in handy in a pinch.
But again, this would be something that you would not want to throw down your toilet as it will clog it and that would not be fun.
Old Clothes/Fabric
Old clothes can come in handy in a time of need, just cut them up into desired size and use them. Now if you only use them to go pee, (ladies) you can wash them and reuse them. They can be washed and reused for number two also if you want to go through all of that, but I personally have not gotten that desperate yet.
Newspapers/Magazines
I would think that everyone would or could have access to newspapers. Newspapers can be crumbled into a ball a few times and it becomes a bit softer. But the dye on the paper may not be so desirable, but in a crunch it is safe since most newspaper ink is made from soybean oils, waxes and pigment.
Water Bottles
Water bottles that you can squirt water out of can be a useful way to clean yourself after doing your business. A repurposed ketchup or mustard bottle should do the trick. Or you can purchase reusable plastic bottles made to clean private parts.
Another option when it comes to water cleaning oneself is a Bidet. What is a Bidet you might be wondering? A Bidet is a toilet that is more common in Europe that sprays water in the area you need to clean.
You would have a regular toilet and next to the toilet would be the Bidet. Almost like a sink for your private parts. Then you would sit on the Bidet and turn a facet on which sprays water and then position yourself in place to clean the desired area.
They can be a bit pricey and besides, not many people have room for two toilets in their bathrooms. A more reasonably priced alternative to a Bidet would be a Bidet toilet seat. The seat comes with a sprayer build right in. I would opt for one that has a warm water function, because shooting cold water up your tush is not all that comfortable.
Sponges
If you have sponges, preferably unused ones around, you could use a sponge as an option to clean after using the restroom. The ancient Romans would use a tool called a xylospongium or tersorium, this was basically a sea sponge on a stick.
Natural Items
Nature can offer valuable solutions to human problems. Some readily available ways to clean yourself after conducting your business would be large leaves, handfuls of smaller dried leaves, sticks, and stones (smooth ones of course). Corn cobs were a preferred choice before toilet paper was readily available. I know what you are thinking, sticks, stones, corn cobs, yikes! But in a bind, it is better than a straight hand.
What To Do NOW If Completely Out
- If you are completely out, and you are unable to find toilet paper anywhere, you can use the ideas mentioned above.
- You could ask your friends and family if they have some to spare.
- If you are now working from home or laid off of your job, maybe your employer could sell you some of their stash that they do not need at this time.
- You could ask restaurants where you are buying take out if they could sell you toilet paper. I have heard of restaurants that were selling toilet paper because they no longer need it for guest dining in.
- Small mom and pop stores in your neighborhood may still have toilet paper available and if you are in one of these stores and you do not see it on the shelf, ask a person in the store if they have any in the back. Some store owners are keeping it in the back and only selling toilet paper when asked.
- Call your local stores and ask what day of the week their supply trucks come in and go to the stores on those days to try and get your hands on toilet paper.
Where To Find Toilet Paper During The Shortage
- As I mentioned before, smaller neighborhood stores might have toilet paper in stock because not many people think of their local mom and pop shops.
- Big home remodeling stores seem to be a forgotten source. Some of them do stock toilet paper.
- Drug stores, such as Walgreens, CVS or the likes usually carry toilet paper and may or may not have it in stock during this shortage. You might just get lucky!
- Dollar stores are a good source to try. I found toilet paper there when I could not find it at two larger chain stores.
- A small convenience store at a gas station may have stock of toilet paper. I know someone that was able to find Tylenol at a gas station convenience store when they could not find it anywhere else.
- Then of course keep checking back at your grocery stores and big box variety stores. Remember call the stores and see if they will give you the days and times that their delivery trucks come in.
How To Not Get Into A Predicament In The Future
For me, I never, never like to run out of toilet paper, so my habit is to always have a bit extra on hand. I was fortunate enough to have plenty on hand when the shortage hit just because of my buying style when it comes to TP.
So in the future know how much you go through in a month’s time and keep a few month’s stock on hand. Then when things get tough again, you will have one less thing to have to worry about.
And pay attention to world news and take it serious. I was fortunate because I listened early and heeded the warnings and stocked up on food and paper goods and have been able to maintain now for weeks.
This situation will pass, it is just going to be a long road until it does. Stay smart, stay safe and be kind.