Another thread got me thinking. How far do or would you go for a paper free house? I know a lot of people have quit using paper towels and some have stopped using paper napkins and have replaced them with cloth. What else would you be willing to go cloth with? I have not done these, but some people have cloth handkerchiefs instead of kleenex. Then there are the ladies that have quit using "paper" pads and tampons and use cloth pads, sea pearls or Diva cups. Then there are the "radical" people that use the Family Cloth, instead of toilet paper! They keep a box of cloth squares in their bathrooms and a bucket with bleach water on the floor to put the dirty cloths in. Most keep regular toilet paper for guests, though.

How far would you be willing to go to be paper free? Where would you draw the line?

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My line is pretty high!! Toilet paper for me, also disposable feminine products. When I was younger we did not use paper towels or paper napkins. I also used cloth diapers (back when they really were plain old cloth diapers) and wash rags for baby. But now, I figure I am old and earned my right to use paper products. We regularly use paper plates too!

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I am a "radical" I guess..... but I don't put mine in a bucket with bleach... i have a mini waste basket with a lid that I put them in, and when its full or its been 2-3 days i do a load in the washer. Dh and my fil still use paper.... and OMG! my fil uses a roll a day, its outragous.

me and dh also use cloth snot rags (lol my grandmother called them that and its stuck) but my fil still holds onto his kleenex, so now we just refuse to buy more than one box a month. So when he is out and about he buys more himself.

we use rags for cleaning and cloth napkins instead of paper towels. I got rid of the mens habit for paper plates a long time ago, and i use a sea sponge for my period.

we use cloth wipes for ds but still use disposible diapers for him, because cloth didnt work for his skin.

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hmmmm...I guess I have to draw the line at toilet paper for me.
I use cloth diapers and wipes for the babies, cloth napkins, a diva cup, and some hankerchiefs...but tp...I just love my charmin...

Ok, hate to sound like an utter and complete idiot here, but WTH is a diva cup? Reading all this kinda makes me think we rely too much on paper products in our house. Paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. I am thinking about reducing the amount of paper plates we use though....habits are hard to break.

Way to go! We are trying to reduce the amount of paper products we use in our household too. We are not doing nearly all that we need to yet, but we are getting there.

I didn't know what they were until last year. I bought one online, and only got to try it one period (and then found out I was pregnant). It's an alternative to pads and tampons. You can do a search online to see one. You just insert this cup and empty and rinse it when you would normally change yourself. I am so new at it, that it's pretty messy and hard to use, but I think in time, it will become easier. It definately cuts back on waste and expenses.

Diva Cup


I'm with Happymom on this...my line is pretty high...I will not give up my TP, tissues, or disposable feminine products...I like the idea of rags instead of paper towels, but I don't use too many paper towels as it is (DH on the other hand....) But napkins, and even paper plates... nope I'm not giving up my paper products any time soon.

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"When it comes down to it, I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother with what I do, then I'm already better than them."~ Marilyn Monroe

NOT ME!! Plus, it has been proven that sponges and washclothes hold so many germs in them. Yes, you can wash them each time, but then we are using water and electricity. I'll stick with paper!

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I agree with 2Bears and Blessed... I'm keeping my paper products. I cannot imagine NOT using TP and ringing out blood from a sponge !!! I can see using cloth towels and napkins instead of paper, but I'm not giving up any other paper products I use!

I guess I can be somewhat of a germ fanatic in that dept.