Did the recent toilet paper shortage cause you to rethink your bathroom activities? Because it did for a lot of people, and it’s not too late to give your bathroom strategy an overhaul. There’s no god or supreme being saying that toilet paper is the only way to clean yourself up after using the facilities.
Since you’re here now, the sustainable alternatives to toilet paper mentioned below are here to help you rethink how you use the bathroom. So get prepared for a lightbulb moment because there’s no need to ever flush toilet paper down the pot again. Plus, there’s no reason to ever reach down into the pot again.
In the end, you come out the winner no matter how you look at it.
Table of Contents
#1 Bidet Toilet
Source: self.com
If your current toilet is giving you more problems than solutions, it could be time to consider replacing it. And the perfect upgrade is to invest in a bidet toilet combo. What is a bidet toilet? Well, it’s essentially a toilet with a built-in bidet.
What is a bidet? A bidet is a device that automatically cleans your bottom after you go using a stream of water. Now, when selecting a bidet toilet, it’s important to know that the upfront cost will be higher than your typical run-of-the-mill toilet.
Why? Because a bidet toilet usually provides premium features such as heated water, a heated seat, a built-in warm air dryer, and other amenities. Also, the bidet portion of the toilet will provide enough pressure to complete the job without the need for toilet paper.
Overall, as far as sustainable alternatives to toilet paper go, this is your most advanced option.
#2 Bidet Seat
Source: bobvila.com
Now, if you’re not quite ready to invest in a new toilet, or you like your current toilet, a good solution is to shop for a bidet seat. A bidet seat allows you to keep your existing toilet and connect a bidet seat to it. When choosing a model, there are bidet seats that are compatible with both round and elongated toilets. Keep in mind, that round toilet owners may find that the bidet reduces the size of the toilet opening too much.
Additionally, there are your basic models that simply use a stream of water to clean you, and premium models with all the amenities. One downfall to taking the cheap route is that you might not get a complete clean, which may lead to having to wipe once after the bidet does its thing.
On the flip side, a premium seat will get the job done completely in most circumstances. So all you have to do is choose the correct pressure and stand up once it’s done. Or, if you choose a bidet seat with a dryer, it will even dry your bottom for you before you stand up. One such bidet is the TOTO S550e found here.
#3 Peri Bottle
Source: momlovesbest.com
A peri bottle, aka a portable bidet, is another way to reap the benefits of using a bidet without investing in a seat or toilet. All it takes to use one is to fill the included bottle with water, flip it over, connect the nozzle, and start spraying. Clearly, the advantage is that you don’t have to make any modifications to your existing plumbing or pay the high price for professional installation.
The downside is that you must do the work manually, keep the bottle clean, and sometimes fill it more than once to get the job done. Also, when choosing this type of bidet, always choose the type that features a nozzle with multiple tiny holes.
The reason for this is that the tinier jets do a better job of removing all debris than single-jet nozzles that spray one large stream.
#4 Compressed Toilet Paper
Source: ubuy.co.it
If you prefer to keep on wiping, then compressed toilet paper is 100% biodegradable, reusable, and easy to store for on-the-go use. Ideal candidates for this type of toilet paper alternative are outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and anyone who likes to always have their own TP on hand.
Comparatively, compressed toilet paper is thicker, which gives it a cozier feel when wiping it across your skin. Two downsides to consider should you choose this route are that compressed toilet paper is non-flushable, and it must be kept dry at all times to prevent it from expanding. So long-term storage in any humid environment could expand the paper prematurely.
With that in mind, compressed TP is still a step up over regular TP for green enthusiasts.
#5 Bamboo Toilet Paper
Source: bambootoiletpaper.info
One of the most eco-friendly and sustainable traditional toilet paper alternatives is bamboo toilet paper. The advantage here is that you’re able to use bamboo TP just like normal TP while saving the environment at the same time.
And don’t worry just because it’s bamboo doesn’t mean that it’s going to chafe your rear. In fact, companies like Reel have gotten the science down to manufacture a rather soft toilet paper that tears consistently along the perforations.
In addition to being eco-friendly, Reel paper is fragrance-free with no inks or dyes used, making it hypoallergenic as well. All in all, if you prefer to wipe, then bamboo TP is most likely your best alternative.
Final Thoughts
Whether you came here wanting to continue wiping or skip over TP altogether, you have found your solutions. There’s a reason that many nations throughout the world rely on bidets to get the job done. There’s nothing quite like not having to wipe the most sensitive parts of your body to clean them.
On the other hand, compressed TP and bamboo TP are both making waves in the home goods arena for good reason. They allow people to relieve themselves from the guilt of adding more waste to the Earth while still managing to provide a hygienic clean, resulting in a win-win.
Now it’s time for you to choose how you’ll redefine your bathroom experience.
