Cloth Wipes vs Disposable

Out of toilet paper again? Have you been thinking about using cloth?
A search of ‘cloth wipes vs toilet paper’ will bring a list of a whole list of sites reporting that people are going green and using cloth wipes for adults as well as for their babies. The cloth wipes to use with cloth diapering is not a new thought...but the idea of using them for adults and older children makes most people me giggle with embarrassment.
Bottom line: Toilet paper is expensive…..it’s hard to spend money on something that you know you’ll throw away.

How do you use cloth wipes? What you would do with the dirty ones?
Wet Or Dry method:
Some people use them damp and others use them dry. Pre-dampening wipes and adding a drop of lavender oil is a favorite of ours. The lavender oil keeps bacteria away (which causes mildew) and it keeps the wipes smelling fresh.

Dirty Wipes:
When a wipe gets soiled, many people simply have an open bucket under the sink that they toss the dirty wipe into. Some people use 'wet bags' or closed sterilite containers next to their toilets.
When the bucket gets full or you run out of wipes, throw them into the washing machine on HOT. Let them soak for a few minutes and run a regular cycle with laundry soap. Some people use a drop or two of Tea Tree essential oil in the wash for extra freshness.

What about Stink?:
You will find that the wipes do not stink as much as you would think. Using Lavender oil keeps smell away.
Keeping a lid OFF of the soiled wipes will keep smell away as they can breathe.
Washing every 3 days or so will also keep the smell away as it never has a chance to build up.

Pee or poop?:
Here's the question that everyone wants to ask, but is embarrassed to: People really use these for #1 and #2. Some and most of people use them for only #1 as a way to 'supplement' their toilet paper supply. However, many people use them for #1 and #2 and find that they are more luxurious than the most expensive brand of toilet paper.

What's the Cost difference in toilet paper (or disposable wipes) vs Cloth wipes?:
For two people, if the cloth wipes were used exclusively, you can count on using about 10 wipes per day.
Saying that you washed wipes every 3 days, you need about 30 wipes....the total cost would be approx $30.00.
That $30.00 could potentially last you for years and years....realistically, the wipes would last about 5 years.
How much is your typical toilet paper? How much will you spend in the next 5 years.

For an average couple, they will spend approx $12.00 per month on cheap toilet paper.
That's $720 in 5 years.
You can save $690 in 5 years! By using cloth!

Go green! Save money! Give your bum a gift and get cloth!