Toilet paper may soon become obsolete: Going completely paperless may become a viable choice in the future, even if it’s difficult to fathom living without toilet paper.
So why would people stop using toilet paper? In the words of Think Stewartville, “Environmental concerns, health implications, and cultural preferences are driving this change toward more sustainable alternatives.”
Cottonelle claims that although the average individual uses the restroom five times a day, four to ten times is seen as “normal.”
Additionally, according to Cotonelle, the average person uses almost seven sheets of toilet paper for each wipe, accounting for “6.41 sheets per toileting occasion for women and 8.1 sheets per occasion for men.”
Additionally, the typical American adult consumes 50 rolls of toilet paper annually, or about one roll each week.
What may take the place of toilet paper, then? There are several choices, some of which have existed for a considerable amount of time.
Bidets are the most well-known and widely used toilet paper substitute, and they have been around for generations, according to Think Stewartville.
“These standalone fixtures use precisely directed water streams for cleaning, eliminating the need for paper products entirely,” says Think Stewartville.
A bidet, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is a “small, low bath in which a person washes the lower part of their body.”
If bidets don’t appeal to you, various toilet paper substitutes are becoming more and more well-liked.
One is reusable cloth toilet paper, which provides a greener substitute.
“Typically crafted from organic cotton or bamboo fibers, these washable squares provide a soft, effective cleaning option,” Think Stewartville states.
On top of being better for the environment, reusable cloth toilet paper could also cut down on household costs.
One criticism of reusable cloth toilet paper is the concern that it’s not hygienic.
Healthline states that to properly clean clothing toilet paper, wash it “in a hot-water laundry cycle that’s at least 160°F (71°C) for at least 25 minutes, or a sanitise setting if you have one.”
According to Healthline, one drawback of toilet paper made of clothing is that “it can retain stains that make the clothes appear undesirable to use.”
