@Mrs. Jones: It's a great idea except in areas where water is limited. We live in low flow toilet land and it's only going to get worse. Now wealthy people with McMansions can have all the water they like. But we all know that their shiz don't stink anyway.
I use too much TP, but it's such a habit to grab a big wad that I don't ever really think about it. I was at a concert with friends recently, and my stall was out of TP, so I called over to my friend next to me to pass me some, and she handed me the tiniest little 4 square scrap and said something like, "I can't imagine you'll need more than that." and I was just agog. I was like, uhhh, yeah, give me more please.
I have clogged up more bathrooms at parties and coffeeshops and things than I care to share.
While I appreciate the effort of those who use recycled/natural paper, my sensitive bottom simply cannot handle the scratch. Seriously, I end up so chaffed I bleed. Therefore, I indulge in one thing, and that's the softest, most expensive, most Aloe and E packed rolls of satiny lushness that I can find.
I figure for every purchase of the good wipe I buy, I am not driving to a doctor, then to a pharmacy, then home again to fill a prescription for some cream or another to soothe my rear. I offset with a comfy bottom in the first place.
Besides, Tilde with a case of "Bad TP Butt" is nearly a nuclear situation in and of itself.
great TP story - my grandmother lived in rural Mississippi during the depression, and so taught my mother and her three siblings to savor each square. To this day, when I visit my uncle's house, there are spare squares sitting on the tank, squares he put back to conserve. I find it quite refreshing, actually, that this sad little tradition of saving every little bit survived this late era of consumerism and can now be put to good use. I think I might start saving squares as well.
@fabulousmiriam: One of my very good friends growing up had this crazy rich grandmother who would wash the squares she only peed on in the sink and place them over the side of the bath tub to dry!
Toilet paper is actually pretty wasteful, especially Kimberly Clark (makers and purveyors of Kleenex), as they use old growth forests (in Canada, among other places). So, yeah, it's sobering to think about using trees older then your grandparents to wipe yourself... Not to mention the chemicals involved in the bleaching. You can get recycled or partially recycled toilet paper (which sounds kind of horrifying, but it's obvs recycled from non-toilet paper) or unbleached, or a combo. Yeah, it's a little less quilty-soft, but it does the job.
As to Amador Bernabe, I question his methods, but not the basic premise of going without. The truth is, much of the world doesn't use them the toilet paper, they wash with water instead. I lived in India for a year, I did it that way, it wasn't really gross, there was either a water pitcher or like a little sprayer next to all the toilets. You only touch the pitcher with your right hand and use the left for splashin' or whatevs. And you wash your hands afterwards of course. I know some people from the non-TP parts of the world who maintain that toilet paper is just nasty because you're not WASHING you're just sort of spreading around...which is true in a way (although I'm not ready to renounce toilet paper myself). But anyways, you can forgo toilet paper and not be gross is my point. I had a room-mate who was raised in a non-toilet paper home and we had a watering can next to the toilet for her, urm, personal use. The bathroom was always clean, nothing like the horror show Bernabe's former employers suggest.
@HalloweenJacqueline: Is there a towel? How do you dry off after washing with water?
Always thought the bidet sounded like a good idea, but unless it has a fan to dry off what do you use? The same towel everyone else does? Does everyone have their own towel?
Who's a folder, who's a crumpler? I'm a folder, because it seems to help me use less, but according to my local moring radio show, we're in the minority.
I got in on the TP conservation bandwagon a long time ago. It's a terrible waste of resources to only use something for only half a second. Now, instead of wiping, I just take a shower after every number two I create. Conservation begins at home, folks.
@BicSharpie: Nice! I'm going to use the "it's a waste of resources to only use something for only half a second" line the next time a chick asks me to use a condom. Conservation begins with my dick, ladies!
@veronykah: Exactly. Exactly. We are probably going to water rationing this spring. Showering after a b.m. is not a good idea here in the American Southwest.
Because of some "feminine" issues I now have to buy that all-natural, chlorine-free TP (and it's helped, so I don't mind). But it isn't sold in more than 4-packs in my area, costs more money, and has what feels like only 50 squares on each roll, so I've become more stingy with it.
That guy might be able to get away with some sort of racism based suit. Many people only use water to clean themselves instead of the TP, I kind of like using both...
I had to buy generic yesterday in an effort to save money. My house guest informed me his ass hates me, and handed me the $3 more it would cost for the good stuff.
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They do it in France ... how could it be wrong?
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I have clogged up more bathrooms at parties and coffeeshops and things than I care to share.
01/27/09
I figure for every purchase of the good wipe I buy, I am not driving to a doctor, then to a pharmacy, then home again to fill a prescription for some cream or another to soothe my rear. I offset with a comfy bottom in the first place.
Besides, Tilde with a case of "Bad TP Butt" is nearly a nuclear situation in and of itself.
01/28/09
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As to Amador Bernabe, I question his methods, but not the basic premise of going without. The truth is, much of the world doesn't use them the toilet paper, they wash with water instead. I lived in India for a year, I did it that way, it wasn't really gross, there was either a water pitcher or like a little sprayer next to all the toilets. You only touch the pitcher with your right hand and use the left for splashin' or whatevs. And you wash your hands afterwards of course. I know some people from the non-TP parts of the world who maintain that toilet paper is just nasty because you're not WASHING you're just sort of spreading around...which is true in a way (although I'm not ready to renounce toilet paper myself). But anyways, you can forgo toilet paper and not be gross is my point. I had a room-mate who was raised in a non-toilet paper home and we had a watering can next to the toilet for her, urm, personal use. The bathroom was always clean, nothing like the horror show Bernabe's former employers suggest.
01/27/09
Always thought the bidet sounded like a good idea, but unless it has a fan to dry off what do you use? The same towel everyone else does? Does everyone have their own towel?
Questions!!!
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I live in SoCal, we have little water here...
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However. I have a sensitive butt, so hard scratchy toilet paper is a no-go. And I always finish off with a baby wipe! Like a little flourish, voila!
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