Coronavirus Has Prompted Toilet Paper Gate and the Comeback of... Reusable Toilet Paper
In case you missed it, the novel coronavirus has officially changed the way humans are operating. International travel is restricted (nobody's going to the Louvre or Tokyo Disneyland), and certain hygiene products are disappearing from store shelves. Australians, for one, can't stop buying toilet paper: #toiletpapergate has been trending on social media as folks have been stockpiling the bathroom necessity amid coronavirus fears. Now there is an alternative to traditional toilet paper—if you can stomach it.
Reusable toilet paper, which also goes by the much-easier-to-stomach name of "family cloth, is nothing new. It’s been around for a few years and started making headlines in 2018, but hasn't drawn much attention since. Due to the coronavirus and #toiletpapergate, however, it has been gaining traction again. A typical family cloth roll consists of 20 cloth squares (typically colorful/patterned, for obvious reasons) that are clipped together. When it's time to wipe, you can un-clip one of the squares. Often composed of two layers of either flannel or cotton, these squares can be washed and used again... and again. Some family cloth even comes in decorative patterns to help get your mind off the fact that this cloth has potentially touched the rear ends of numerous people.
Believe it or not, people really seem to be taking this route faced with toilet paper shortages. One woman, who has been selling hand-sewn reusable toilet paper on Etsy for over 5 years told the Australian publication LifeStyle yesterday that she “did sell more toilet paper in February than usual." In terms of how to care for the product, she explains that “some will wash them with baby cloth diapers, some with clothing, some with household linens. It all depends on where each individual is in their zero-waste journey and what they are comfortable with.”
the australian #toiletpapergate and all this #panicbuying sadly reminds me of two things:
1. the media can manipulate the general public sooooo easily. most of us are sheep
2. if there’s ever an actual apocalypse we’re fucked because everyone is just out to help themselves pic.twitter.com/JOb7fgmihm— sam (@intoyourblue) March 4, 2020
While I'm all for trying to live a little bit greener—I opt for eco-friendly brands when shopping for new decor and furniture and add more sustainable solutions into my home when I can—I'm not sure if I could commit to this. Reusable napkins? Sure thing! But when it comes to giving up my Charmin or a reusable roll... Maybe not. Time to start stockpiling the real deal, it seems. Or if you’re interested in giving family cloth a whirl, I’ve included some options below to shop.
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