Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Cloth Wipe Challenge - WTF?

Don't forget to wipe!Oh, dear. So the Cloth Wipe Challenge went down the toilet with all the stuff happening in these parts.

But I haven't forgotten about all you wipers out there. Every time I wipe I think of you. Okay, maybe not so much, but I did want to check in with you and see how things were fairing.

And, it's Sunday, by gum, and it's time for a poll!






9 comments:

Anonymous said...

My answer isn't on the poll. Loved it but only got two days in. Things have been far to nutty here lately. As soon as I get things back on track it'll be all cloth all the time for me. : )

Anonymous said...

I'm in the "sticking to #1" category, but am evolving into a full-timer. I'm still optimizing my system and need to find the perfect squirt bottle (no children = no peri bottle.. i had to look that one up. Ouch ladies!!). I like it a lot though for #1 and my hubby is surprisingly comfortable with it even though he's not participating. I figure guys are minor TP users and I'd really rather not clean up his squares. Stay strong Crunchy. We're rooting for you all.

RC said...

I failed to participate Crunchy. But reading your post I am relieved to see that despite all of the recent stress you have not allowed your sense of humor to flag. Health to all of the Crunchies!

Darlene said...

Well, I committed for only #1, but tried #2 and LOVED the results. No more using a yard of tp 3-5 times just to get clean. 2 wet squares, doubled together get the job done. No it doesn't "get on your hands". No it doesn't smell - I dab one of the wipes with a tiny bit of Lavender or Eucalyptus oil and place over the top of the container, then put the lid on. No, they're not nasty to clean. Just pick up the jar/pot/whatever go to the washer, take the lid off the jar, turn it upside-down into the machine and shake your dirty wipes out. Add bathroom towels that need washing. Add your Fels Naptha and Washing Powder. Fill the rinse slot with 1/2 cup white vinegar. Turn to hot and wash away. Put in dryer or hang on line. They come out clean for me - no stains or smells. It doesn't make the house smell.

I also switched to cloth for "women's needs". I made myself some oblong, 2 layer pads. I used flannel and polar fleece. I sewed around the edges and about 1/3 in on each side from top to bottom. Then I fold along the stitching and have long, thin 6 layers of protection and love these too. I wash all those in with the tp cloths.

Interesting aside. I had to take some antibiotics for an abscessed tooth - no cavity, just a bruised tooth that flared. I get yeast infections from the antibiotics, but not this time! Between the cloth pads and the cloth wipes, it seems that there was no opportunity for the yeast to get going. With my regular pads, I'd always get an infection.

Tammi said...

I do love my cloth wipes. Especially since I'm VERY pregnant and in the bathroom every 15 minutes, it's been great.

Anonymous said...

Since I live alone, I find that washing my cloth up by hand as soon as I use it works great. It cleans up completely with liquid soap and hang to dry in an inconspicuous (yet handy) place. The toilet paper is still there for 'larger' jobs, but I find that I can't go back to just paper anymore, I don't feel as clean. I've even started using a bandana at work to wipe...clean it out and hang under the sink. It's so simple, I don't know why I haven't done this sooner!! Thanks Crunchy!

So glad your family is doing better, dear. I'm rootin' for you all.

crstn85 said...

I absolutely love my cloths, and told my best friend. But when my other friends came to visit for the weekend I hid them and used TP (recycled of course). Are most of you closeted users?

Crunchy- I'm glad life is returning to some semblance of normality. Still sending positive energy.

Anonymous said...

WE made it through and are going strong! The kids and I are almost full-time clother wipers (we make, um, judgement calls for #2) and DH is non-participating but tolerant, and even remembers to toss the wipes in with the cloth diapers most of the time, so a success all around! We just got back from vaction tonight (hence the late post) and I can't tell you how happy I am to be home with my cloth wipes. sooo soft...

Anonymous said...

I know this challenge is long over and everything, but I have a better solution: just use water and left hand, and rinse your fanny. Wash your hands thoroughly when finished.

This is precisely why it is soooooo very rude to eat with the left hand in the Middle East and in India.

I keep a little yogurt cup by the toilet, fill it with water from the sink before (or if the sink is within reach after), and rinse. If I'm going to a public place, I might use a piece of TP (now I'll try switching to cloth) to blot up so I don't end up with water spots on my jeans. Get up, wash hands (turn on tap with right hand which did not touch fanny), THEN pull up panties.

I have never once gotten sick from doing this, and never has anyone in my house.

For what it's worth.