I had also thought maybe I should invest in the gadget that turns your toilet into a bidet. I went on a sailing trip and there are no paper products allowed (obviously and for obvious reasons). And it made me think of this for home. I had a patient who switched to this because she had shoulder replacement surgery and couldn't use the former skills of toileting (and her other arm wasn't able to either). It makes you think of things differently for different reasons.
Stopped using not only paper towels years ago ( cloth works fine) but also stopped using plastic trash bags as well. I'm liking using shampoo bars and laundry detergent sheets as a giving up plastics part of living
Another trick is to use apple cider vinegar in place of soap and of shampoo. It takes two weeks for your hair to get used to no shampoo. After that, an ACV rinse works just as well -- depending on how hard or soft your water is -- and there's almost no waste. I buy mine in a glass bottle.
Depending on where you live you can just go commando with your trash. No garbage bag needed. If you recycle and compost cleaning the can is easy! If you’ve never composted, just collect all your kitchen waste and put it in a compost bin in your yard with a large volume of leaves and grass cuttings! Depending on where you live, your city or county will have free or at-cost bins available and classes on how to compost.
Thank you, Jennifer. I like that approach. It's just that, despite my composting of biodegradables, my trash gets kinda funky when I have, say, greesy plastic wrappers. For me, there's always this in-between of stuff I can't compost, but stuff that would make the trash smelly funky and leave a residue on the other waste and possibly the inside of trash container. Regardless, you've inspired me to streamline where/how I put my waste. I'll be brainstorming a bit. Thank you incredibly much.
To save water,....I collect my used sink water in a bin, then transfer it to a bucket, which I carry outside to water my trees. There is zero rain here for months in the summer, and I spend much time already holding a water hose.
That is a good way to catch gray water, Helga. We have a bucket in the bathroom to catch the water from the shower while it's warming up and we use that to water the indoor house plants. More about that here: https://jennifermargulis.net/bathroom-bucket-catches-gray-water/
The paper towels make the skin on our hands age quickly. It’s true. If she stops using them, she will see the difference. When I was in my forties, I discovered this was an unexpected benefit of my paper towel purge.
Great suggestion. Al, see if that argument will work with your wife. Also, who doesn't appreciate saving money? But maybe that one's not as convincing...
Great article! We stopped with the paper towels decades ago.
If you switch to a bidet, you can spare yourself most of the toxic toilet paper, too. You can install a hose from the sink waterlines — I don’t like the in-toilet models as biofilms seem unavoidable.
I've wanted to do "family cloth" since I saw some for sale at an Etsy store. We cloth diapered our 3 older kids and did a combo of cloth and infant pottying (best practice ever) for the youngest. So why not now?! Didn't buy it though and then couldn't find the shop again. A bidet is a great idea. We have a little metal teapot in the bathroom used to wash our bums. Probably TMI. I forget to use it most of the time! I also pee in the yard whenever I can. Helps the grass grow...
Haven’t used any paper napkins in over 25 years. And yes they contain all the bad ingredients that paper towels do! I think any material can work for making your own napkins. Upcycling is best since the pesticides will have washed out of the cotton. You can buy a nice set of napkins at any thrift store or Goodwill very inexpensively!
I no longer use plastic water bottles! I bought 16.9 glass (6 for 22.00) bottles with stainless steel caps. I put my filtered water in these-and the water tastes better too!
Plastic bottles are such a waste of money, and the chemicals I can only imagine!
I hate the taste of plastic infused water! Another trick is to reuse glass salad dressing jars as mini water bottles! Easy and cheap and the perfect size. I just learned this. A friend showed me a glass bottle that a client of hers had decorated with delicate pink flowers. It was a repurposed salad dressing container.
I also got a good tip from someone a few years ago regarding toilet paper which can also have lots of chemicals. If I may use the simple words poop and pee, here is the suggestion: Have a damp washcloth handy and hanging near the toilet - after peeing simply gently wipe with the mildly damp rag - done! If need be have a small dry towel to pat dry. Poop - use the toilet paper. And try to find ones that have less chemicals! Or maybe there is a better solution I don't know about?
Thanks for your always valuable information. I´m sure I don´t use anywhere near the average of paper towels, but I will gradually work my way off of them, mostly because of others. I do keep a large pile of different-use cloths and rags. I will be discussing this with my housemate.
Having lived many years in countries where bidets are used, I can say they are convenient, healthful and even soothing...even the inexpensive kind you adapt to a toilet seat. You´ll need a washcloth or small hand towel for each user.
I compost two different ways (compost bin in the garage and vermiculture). But I find it hard to eliminate plastic for trash collection...I need to work on this.
I had also thought maybe I should invest in the gadget that turns your toilet into a bidet. I went on a sailing trip and there are no paper products allowed (obviously and for obvious reasons). And it made me think of this for home. I had a patient who switched to this because she had shoulder replacement surgery and couldn't use the former skills of toileting (and her other arm wasn't able to either). It makes you think of things differently for different reasons.
If you decide to do that, let us know how it works out.
Stopped using not only paper towels years ago ( cloth works fine) but also stopped using plastic trash bags as well. I'm liking using shampoo bars and laundry detergent sheets as a giving up plastics part of living
Another trick is to use apple cider vinegar in place of soap and of shampoo. It takes two weeks for your hair to get used to no shampoo. After that, an ACV rinse works just as well -- depending on how hard or soft your water is -- and there's almost no waste. I buy mine in a glass bottle.
What do you use to replace garbage bags? I hate using them.
Depending on where you live you can just go commando with your trash. No garbage bag needed. If you recycle and compost cleaning the can is easy! If you’ve never composted, just collect all your kitchen waste and put it in a compost bin in your yard with a large volume of leaves and grass cuttings! Depending on where you live, your city or county will have free or at-cost bins available and classes on how to compost.
Thank you, Jennifer. I like that approach. It's just that, despite my composting of biodegradables, my trash gets kinda funky when I have, say, greesy plastic wrappers. For me, there's always this in-between of stuff I can't compost, but stuff that would make the trash smelly funky and leave a residue on the other waste and possibly the inside of trash container. Regardless, you've inspired me to streamline where/how I put my waste. I'll be brainstorming a bit. Thank you incredibly much.
Nothing. I do compost so no garbage goes into trash cans. Rinse cans out once a week.
Thank you, Louana!
To save water,....I collect my used sink water in a bin, then transfer it to a bucket, which I carry outside to water my trees. There is zero rain here for months in the summer, and I spend much time already holding a water hose.
That is a good way to catch gray water, Helga. We have a bucket in the bathroom to catch the water from the shower while it's warming up and we use that to water the indoor house plants. More about that here: https://jennifermargulis.net/bathroom-bucket-catches-gray-water/
Thanks - now if I can just persuade my wife!
I looked up the laundry soap too - will make a batch as soon as our present soap runs out.
It's an awesome recipe. You save so much money, and all the packaging, and that laundry soap works well.
The paper towels make the skin on our hands age quickly. It’s true. If she stops using them, she will see the difference. When I was in my forties, I discovered this was an unexpected benefit of my paper towel purge.
Great suggestion. Al, see if that argument will work with your wife. Also, who doesn't appreciate saving money? But maybe that one's not as convincing...
Great article! We stopped with the paper towels decades ago.
If you switch to a bidet, you can spare yourself most of the toxic toilet paper, too. You can install a hose from the sink waterlines — I don’t like the in-toilet models as biofilms seem unavoidable.
I've wanted to do "family cloth" since I saw some for sale at an Etsy store. We cloth diapered our 3 older kids and did a combo of cloth and infant pottying (best practice ever) for the youngest. So why not now?! Didn't buy it though and then couldn't find the shop again. A bidet is a great idea. We have a little metal teapot in the bathroom used to wash our bums. Probably TMI. I forget to use it most of the time! I also pee in the yard whenever I can. Helps the grass grow...
What about paper napkins? I assume they contain the same toxins. Any recommendations for the best material for reusable/washable ones?
Haven’t used any paper napkins in over 25 years. And yes they contain all the bad ingredients that paper towels do! I think any material can work for making your own napkins. Upcycling is best since the pesticides will have washed out of the cotton. You can buy a nice set of napkins at any thrift store or Goodwill very inexpensively!
Thanks!
I no longer use plastic water bottles! I bought 16.9 glass (6 for 22.00) bottles with stainless steel caps. I put my filtered water in these-and the water tastes better too!
Plastic bottles are such a waste of money, and the chemicals I can only imagine!
Great article!😉👍
I hate the taste of plastic infused water! Another trick is to reuse glass salad dressing jars as mini water bottles! Easy and cheap and the perfect size. I just learned this. A friend showed me a glass bottle that a client of hers had decorated with delicate pink flowers. It was a repurposed salad dressing container.
The possibilities are endless Jennifer! I’m nearly 62, so my generation, and parents/grandparents grew up in a much different time.
People need to get their imagination and savvy attitude back!😉
Yes ma'am. So true!
Great post to widely share. Love the most expensive vehicle to operate.
Thanks Denise.
I also got a good tip from someone a few years ago regarding toilet paper which can also have lots of chemicals. If I may use the simple words poop and pee, here is the suggestion: Have a damp washcloth handy and hanging near the toilet - after peeing simply gently wipe with the mildly damp rag - done! If need be have a small dry towel to pat dry. Poop - use the toilet paper. And try to find ones that have less chemicals! Or maybe there is a better solution I don't know about?
Thanks for your always valuable information. I´m sure I don´t use anywhere near the average of paper towels, but I will gradually work my way off of them, mostly because of others. I do keep a large pile of different-use cloths and rags. I will be discussing this with my housemate.
Having lived many years in countries where bidets are used, I can say they are convenient, healthful and even soothing...even the inexpensive kind you adapt to a toilet seat. You´ll need a washcloth or small hand towel for each user.
I compost two different ways (compost bin in the garage and vermiculture). But I find it hard to eliminate plastic for trash collection...I need to work on this.