Are you one of the lucky millions that is left without a massive toilet paper stockpile during the Coronavirus crisis of 2020?
Well, we have you covered, or at least your undercarriage issues with these 10 Alternatives to Toilet Paper in a Crisis
Why is Toilet Paper Sold Out?
Why is toilet paper sold out and a hot commodity during Coronavirus COVID-19?
During the coronavirus outbreak of 2020, that originated in late 2019 (official name of COVID-19), there has been a mass run on toilet paper and a mass shortage of toilet paper in the United States.
At first glance, this is a baffling scenario. How does toilet paper help with preventing or protecting from Coronavirus? Even before the United States had been hit hard with the COVID-19 outbreak, people rushed to the stores (especially Costco) and raided the TP aisle and cleared the shelves in just a matter of a couple of days.
But why? WHY are people stocking up on toilet paper during a virus outbreak? It doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, but let us break down why this is happening.
1. The hoarding started in China first. Before the US was hit, we were first hit with China’s example of hoarding toilet paper, already placing many Americans in a confused, but sheepish state where many just followed the example blindly…because, whelp, there must be a good reason why those in China were hoarding!
2. People are worried the stores will run out after, so why not stock up for a year?
3. People are worried the stores will be closed. Whether the store closes voluntarily or due to a required quarantine, running out of toilet paper is a basic hygiene nightmare.
4. People are quarantining themselves. If you aren’t planning to leave your home for a couple of weeks, toilet paper is the one thing you don’t want to run out of.
5. China manufacturers some of the world’s toilet paper supply and so many are worried that there will be a shortage due to the lack of manufacturing in China right now.
6. Monkey see – monkey do. This is perhaps the #1 reason. People in the prepper states like Utah started clearing shelves and then posting on social media, where it went viral and spread from there. So the scarcity and “fear of loss” set in with people nationwide and for some “in the back of their minds” nagging reason, had to get in on the action too.
So if you are like any of the millions left without toilet paper, you may be wondering what your options are at this point. We actually sat down as a family and had a family meeting about rationing our toilet paper and what we are possibly going to need to do in order to make it through the The Great Toilet Paper Apocalypse.
Many of these ideas have come from our kids. But we have also heard from some readers as well and their great ideas! So check out the 12 Alternatives to Toilet Paper in a Crisis.
12 Alternatives to Toilet Paper
We are here to give you 12 alternatives to the toilet paper shortage
1. Use any napkins or paper towels and practice what they already do in much of Europe and wipe and throw away. Don’t flush paper towels or napkins, but this is probably the easiest and most logical solution. So whether you rummage through your home and find a supply of unused paper products, or buy online or find in any stores, this is a great solution and do like the Europeans do = wipe and toss!
2. Get a supply of flushable wipes to last for 3 weeks. As of the writing of this article, there were still several sources of flushable wipes available on the store shelves and even on Amazon. One of the writers here at PreventCoronavirusInfo.com even ordered a case from Amazon last night, and they arrived at her door today.
3. Use baby wipes and wipe and toss! Similar to the paper towels/napkin option or even the flushable option. Just don’t flush them! We had a few packs left over from our diaper days that we can use to get through. If you don’t have any and you see any at the stores, please only grab one pack and what you will need temporarily. No need to hoard, toilet paper will be coming back soon!
4. Make reusable toilet paper. It sounds gross, but toilet paper wasn’t invented until 1857. So just what did people do for thousands of years before that? Perhaps they had resusable! Making your own is seriously a viable option in a crisis. What’s the alternative. If you don’t have toilet paper or paper towels or flushable wipes, this may be your next best step. Make them, use them, wash them, reuse them. Here’s a video we found on how to make them.
5. Use socks. Find all of those lone and alone socks and make a new match with the rear end! Seriously! Cut them in half, use them, wash them, reuse them and when this crisis is over, you will finally feel free to toss them once and for all because they completed their end of life duty. Socks are quite absorbent and soft. So it really could work well – but I haven’t tried it yet! This idea was direct from our 13 year old son! It was pretty smart thinking if you ask us!
6. Get on a subscription service with Amazon. Amazon is currently out. But if you add your TP to a Subscribe and Save list for the next available delivery, perhaps you can make it through with one of the above 5 ideas before they get there.
7. Get a bidet. Let’s finally do like the French (have they had a toilet paper shortage?) and use some water pressure to clean up! It’s a good time and excuse to finally come up to speed on this high tech hygiene option by installing a bidet.
8. Use old t-shirts and rags. Cut squares or strips and you can reuse them by washing or you can just toss them if you have enough to get you through.
9. Use that baby birthing squirt bottle = cheap, homemade-ish version of a bidet and if you have had a baby recently, you probably have one!
10. Forage for foliage – but be aware of what you should look for so you are not in more pain! In fact, here’s the guide on some of the best foliage to forage:
What ideas do you have as an alternative to toilet paper?
Leave a comment below and share your thoughts on this topic!
Finally, as we are all trying to make the best out of a weird and crazy situation, consider commemorating your experience with the Toilet Paper crisis with a mug or a t-shirt!
Eowana
In the old days.. my mom and grandparents used the Sears Roebuck catalog pages.. I believe I’ve heard of people using corncobs in the past too..
DM Anderson
4 Billion Human Beings on this planet have never seen Toilet Paper.
This is a 1st World Problem.
DON’t SQUEEZE THE CHARMIN!
Yovee
Take a bath every-time you need paper !
Jw
We believe our college roommate didnhandstands in the shower. Pro tip…. keep mouth closed
Terry
We regularly use cheap washcloths, the 10 for $3 ones, to clean up. Use and rinse and toss into the weekly towel washing. Been going that for years.
CLARA DRUSZKOWSKI
Just don’t flush those items listed or you will have a really big problem afterwards with clogging.
Diane
I have used Kleenex in the past when I have run out of toilet paper. My Target still had some on the shelf as of yesterday.
Di
Newspapers, strips of cereal boxes, paper towel roll insides, old christmas paper, tissue paper and packing paper from items mailed to you, kleenex, medical gauze/gauze pads, junk mail, old bed sheets torn up, ……… …………
tealady3
The first thought was the rags, I also have about 8 yards of flannel I purchased awhile back at a thrift store. I know that I could easily make toilet tissue from that. I would first have to get over the gross factor. But when I think back I used cloth diapers so I would have to teach my hubs how to rince his own. Great article.
CS Odeen
THANK YOU for your admonition to folks to ONLY TAKE WHAT THEY REALISTICALLY NEED for the short-term. Even should they get quarantined, you’re looking at a couple of weeks. Seriously – how many rolls of toilet paper do you need for two weeks?!?! EVERYONE CALM DOWN. STOP PANICKING! This, too, shall pass, especially if calmer heads prevail! Buy only what you need and ensure there’s enough to go around.
Adrianne Wagers
Back in my grandparents days, they used softened corn husks, like the type we use to make tamales.
Kim Youngblood
Hoarding is a terrible thing based in fear. Get on your knees and pray. The Lord will provide.
Jane
Americans really need to get with the times and install bidets in their bathrooms. We wash everything else with water. Would you tell your kids it’s OK to clean themselves with paper towels after playing in the mud. TP wastes so much water and trees to produce. Not to mention the money you’ll save not having to purchase TP.
Mork
very cool ideas! I love them. I totally dig your son’s idea of old socks and also rags and such. It is totally ok to use and re-use. If you have had kids in cloth diapers, a little poop is par for the course and should not faze you one bit.
LA
Wax paper or coffee filters-parchment paper -be creative
Jay
Spray bottle used to spray for ironing clothes, check the Home Depot for Harris Pro 32 oz. (3 Pack) Sprayers spray a powerful stream or a fine mist. Make sure to cut the pipe to 1/4 of it original length so that when at an angle the water is on top but still the pipe can pull water through. Having more than 1 bottle filled and ready helps reducing the anxiety if you feel water is not enough in 1 bottle.
Kim
If you’re going to use homemade tp cloths, set up a diaper pail by the toilet with diaper soaking solution (my cloth diaper generation remembers this effort—1/4 cup bleach and capful-tablespoon of laundry detergent) and toss your used cloth into the bucket. When ready to wash, drain liquid into toilet and wash tp cloths separately.
Alison
Please don’t flush ‘flushable’ wipes 🙁
bob the robber
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Guadalupe Parnell
When you’re at a loss for what to do during a crisis, sometimes the best option is simply to use something else. In some cases, like with toilet paper, you’ll need to make do with something other than bed sheets or napkins. To get here best roof paint nz and learn more new tips construction. There are many alternatives available that don’t require some kind of replacement.
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Guadalupe Parnell
In times of crisis, exploring alternatives to conventional resources becomes essential. When facing a shortage of toilet paper, considering eco-friendly options is crucial. Some alternatives include bidets, reusable cloth wipes, corn husks, and even the one sided quarter method – a technique where a coin is used as a scraper. These innovative solutions not only address immediate needs but also promote sustainability and resourcefulness.
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