How To Make Reusable Cloth Toilet Paper

Want to learn to make reusable toilet paper? Turns out it’s super easy! I know it may seem like a very odd craft, but if you’ve ever used cloth diapers, or cloth pads, you know how useful reusable toilet paper can be. Whether because you’re in a pinch, out of flushable toilet paper, trying to be green, or trying to save money, reusable toilet paper is super useful!

Reusable Toilet Paper

During the pandemic when toilet paper was in short supply I saw more and more posts about reusable toilet paper. And I won’t lie, during that time we got close to having to find a toilet paper alternative.

Now, with shrinkflation and inflation, toilet paper is ridiculously expensive. The packs of toilet paper are getting smaller while the price is going up. It’s ridiculous honestly, so because of that, I’m willing to try reusable toilet paper. We use them mostly for wee right now which helps us cut down on having to buy so much toilet paper.

Also, I want to say this is for our family, guests will still have access to regular toilet paper. I wouldn’t subject my guests to that. Just like I keep regular pads for guests while I use cloth products.

Supplies Needed To Make Reusable Toilet Paper

• Soft flannel or cotton fabric
• Pinking shears or cloth scissors
• Optional: Thread and Needle

How To Make Reusable Toilet Paper

Step 1

Measure your cloth with a measuring tape and mark off the edges of your reusable toilet paper.

Notes:

Sizes people tend to use are:

• 8×8
• 9×9
• 4×8
• 5×9
• 7×5

Step 2

If you’re using pinking shears then cut your cloth into even squares or rectangles.

Step 3

If you cut with regular scissors you will need to do some sewing. The edges need to be hemmed.

You can hem the reusable toilet paper with a:

• Serger
• Overlock Stitch
• Zig Zag Stitch

And you’re done!

Craft Notes:

You will want a soft cloth like flannel or cotton. Rough materials will not be comfortable for wiping.

What Is A Serger?

A Serger is not a sewing machine, but a specialty sewing machine. It is also called an overlocker and does an overlock stitch. Which is a stitch that most sewing machines do not do.

It’s a fast way to hem and avoid long tedious work. Plus, the overlock stitch is a very sturdy and durable stitch. Perfect for something that is going to have a lot of use and wear and tear, like reusable toilet paper.

What Is An Overlock Stitch?

Don’t have a Serger? No problem! You can do an overlock stitch by hand!

Video: How To Do An Overlock Stitch By Hand To Help Make Your Reusable Toilet Paper

What Is A Zig Zag Stitch?

Don’t like how the overlock stitch looks? Then you can do a zig zag stitch to hem your reusable toilet paper.

Video: How To Do A Zig Zag Stitch To Help You Make Your Reusable Toilet Paper

How Many Pieces Of Reusable Toilet Paper Do You Need?

This is really dependent on your family. Are you or your family members home a lot, therefore using the bathroom a lot?

Do you have more boys or girls? Boys will use less toilet paper than girls in general.

How many people do you have in your family?

I would have at least 2-3 days worth of toilet paper for your family. You may not use that much in 2-3 days, but you may also want the extra reusable toilet paper for days you pee more, have your period, or diarrhea.

On average you want 6-8 wipes per person per day. So I would say 16-24 per person.

How Does Reusable Cloth Toilet Paper Work?

Reusable toilet paper works just like regular toilet paper. You use it to wipe your private bits after going potty. The only difference is you throw traditional paper in the toilet to flush.

With reusable cloth toilet paper, you wash it so you can use it again.

However, I would suggest wetting them for cleaning number 2 away. Dry cloth doesn’t seem to work as well. You can wet it at the sink or have a spray bottle near the toilet.

Wetting the cloth a little bit also makes it a little easier to clean urine too. Don’t want friction burn from dry cloth!

How To Store Dirty Reusable Fabric Toilet Paper?

Since you can’t just throw the reusable fabric toilet paper in the toilet and you don’t want to wash every single one in the washer after using it…how do you store them until you’re ready to wash them?

Well, you’ll need some kind of container.

Now, you’ll be tempted to put them in a bucket of some kind of liquid like water, bleach, or even vinegar, but there are a few problems with this.

It can be:

• Dangerous to have water with chemicals in it around children and dogs
• It’s a breeding ground for bacteria (less so with bleach)
• It will stink after a while

Most people make a “wet bag” which is used for dirty cloth diapers. You can also use a plastic garbage back or a mesh laundry bag, that way it’s easy to wash as well. However, make sure you put a liner in the bag!

Do Used Reusable Toilet Paper Stink?

I mean, they’re not going to smell good obviously they have urine and poo on them. However, I think you’re probably wondering whether your bathroom is gonna smell like a porta potty.

And the answer is… no. As long as you’re washing them every couple of days.

Washing these every couple of days are crucial to keep the smells away and prevent staining.

Every smell a diaper genie that hasn’t been emptied in a week? If you leave your bucket of used cloth reusable toilet paper in a bucket or bag I feel like it would smell like that.

And if you haven’t smelled a rancid diaper genie before…it’s gag worthy and eye watering…terrible really.

How To Wash Reusable Cloth Toilet Paper?

So, I know this is something most people are curious about. Our society has become a very germophobic society, and that’s not to downplay the need to clean potty off of the cloth toilet paper. Because obviously it can spread germs and make people sick.

But after talking to people about this idea most were aghast that I would even consider using cloth toilet paper because of how “unsanitary” it is.

So how do you wash the cloth toilet paper?

Well, first and foremost, I’m using them for urine which is more sterile than feces. But either way you will want to wash them separately from other clothes.

Most washers nowadays have a sanitize setting. Use it along with detergent. If not, wash with hot water, or I’ve even seen posts where people have a special boiling pot where they boil the reusable cloth toilet paper.

If you’re using this reusable cloth toilet paper for poo, I would suggest using bleach as well to kill more icky germs that like to hide in poo.

How To Clean The Dirty Fabric Toilet Paper Container?

If you’re using a cloth bag to hold the fabric toilet paper in, you’ll throw that in the wash with the reusable toilet paper.

Using a trash can or bucket? Spray it down with a little bleach water or Lysol and let it sit outside in the sun to dry to kill the germs and get rid of the smell.

Where Do You Put The Reusable Toilet Paper?

You can put them anywhere as long as they’re near the toilet where they are gonna be needed.

Have an extra basket or tub? Roll or fold the reusable toilet paper and put them in! You can leave it on the back of the toilet or on the counter.

Use an empty baby wipe container. Or you can have a second bag for them, just don’t get the clean and dirty bag confused.

Personally, I have a wooden box with 3 sections on the back of the toilet. One section has regular pads for my guests, the second has my cloth pads, and the third has clean reusable toilet paper.

Why Use Reusable Toilet Paper?

I talked about it briefly. But reusable toilet paper is great for emergencies. It’s also eco-friendly and makes a sustainable bathroom product. Cloth toilet paper is zero waste and is a great way to reduce waste. Which is great for eco-conscious people who are looking for toilet paper alternatives. If you’re still debating disposable vs reusable let me also tell you this, washable toilet tissue is chemical-free. Check out the PFAS in toilet paper and how harmful it is to you and the earth.

Don’t Be Intimidated By Reusable Toilet Paper

I know after growing up with disposable toilet paper the though of reusable toilet paper can seem icky or be intimidating. But it’s really not. It’s the same as the disposable accept it requires some extra steps when it comes to sanitizing. Which isn’t a big deal. Anyone who has kids has had to deal with nearly every bodily fluid, so to me at least, this is not very intimidating. I actually like these reusable products. I started out with reusable pads, now toilet paper, and I think it’s worth the effort.

What do you think? Could you use reusable toilet paper?