Finding new ways to stretch the budget is important, with the cost of living rising and pensions not always covering bills, groceries, and other expenses.

But a mum who recently suggested ditching traditional toilet paper for reusable rags (which she dubbed as ‘family cloth’) has caused outrage online from people who think she’s taken penny-pinching a step too far.

Frith, who considers herself a 'reusable nappy expert', frequently makes online videos where she shares her eco-friendly family lifestyle.

And recently, her videos promoting her reusable toilet cloths have become popular. She claims that her switch has already saved her £77, or around $150, but the comments on her videos have been mainly negative.

A Scottish mum shared their family’s alternative to toilet paper. Image source: TikTok/@frithonlife.

'We’ve had a toilet roll subscription for the last three years so I can easily see how much less we’re using and how much we’re saving,' Frith captioned her video.

She also explained the cleaning process: 'They only need a quick rinse cycle and then they can go in your normal laundry wash.'

Despite the flurry of criticism, Frith claims that reusable cloths—when washed correctly—are far more hygienic than paper and better for sensitive skin in the area. They also don’t need to be touched once used as they are stored in a zip wetbag.

'Simply unzip the bag and pop it in the machine and it will do all the rest for you,' she explained.

However, many are unconvinced by this mum’s tip as she received a barrage of criticism for her wiping solution.

Despite this, the mum stood by her decision and said in a follow-up video that she does not understand people’s problem with using cloth instead of toilet paper.

'Somehow people are absolutely outraged that someone might want to use a reusable cloth to wipe their bottom when it's far more hygienic than using paper that doesn't really clean you and you're more likely to get poo on your hands,' the mum said.

'Washing machines are amazing things and they clean stuff way better than soap and water. So if anyone can explain to me what the issue is, that'd be great.'

Frith’s argument is valid according to colorectal surgeon Dr Bradley Morris. He also suggested shifting to toiler paper alternatives to avoid heath issues caused by excessive wiping.

'Most of the problems I see with the skin around the anus are due to excess attempts at hygiene, and it’s very rarely due to inadequate hygiene. It’s a very sensitive area,' Dr Morris said.

'I don't understand why we use toilet paper to wipe, if you imagine soiling your face or something else where you wouldn't smear it off with toilet paper.'

The doctor suggested Aussies to shift their mindsets and join the 70 per cent of the world’s population who don’t use toilet paper.

'I think we need to readdress culturally what we do, and maybe look at bidets, and using water to wash, but excess wiping can traumatise the skin,' he said.

And to add, the environmental benefits of leaving toilet paper behind are substantial as millions of trees are logged annually to meet the world’s demand for toilet paper.

The material in toilet paper also contains chemicals that have been linked to a range of human and environmental health problems.

You can watch her full video below:

Source: TikTok/@frithonlife. ​

Key Takeaways

• A mum named Frith has caused controversy by deciding to use rags instead of toilet paper as a part of her eco-friendly lifestyle.
  
• She has saved about £77 or around $150 since making the switch and she cleans the reusable wipes in the washing machine.
  
• The decision has received a lot of backlash, but Frith defends her decision and argues that the cloth is more hygienic and effective than paper.
  
• Colorectal surgeon Dr Bradley Morris supports alternatives to toilet paper due to health issues caused by excessive wiping.
  
• The environmental benefit of reduced toilet paper usage was also highlighted.
  

Members, what are your thoughts on this story? Would you be amenable to lessening your use of toilet paper? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Knell]

Ms Frith should use the Gympie Gympie Stinging Nettle instead. Solves the problem of wiping yourself with ANYTHING!

Found on Queensland’s Atherton Tableland, here's one account of what it does.

“Being stung is the worst kind of pain you can imagine – like being burnt with hot acid and electrocuted at the same time,” said Marina, who at the time was a postgraduate student at James Cook University investigating the herbivores that eat stinging trees.

“The allergic reaction developed over time, causing extreme itching and huge hives that eventually required steroid treatment. At that point my doctor advised that I should have no further contact with the plant and I didn’t object.”

Nice!

Here's another that might be an urban myth.

"A British officer is said to have committed suicide after he mistakenly used a leaf as toilet paper causing him to go insane from the pain before shooting himself in the head."

I suppose that's one way to stop the pain, albeit a permanent one!

I have been told about the stinging nettle from Nth Q'landers - apparently it is that bad - frightening!

 

[Knell]

Oddly enough a great many of the world's weird barbarian cave people living in developing nations have precious little choice but to use whatever leaves are available at the time, or a scrap of rag that they wash in the creek. And oddly enough those weird barbarian cave people are actual human beings. It is not overly sensible to judge people according to how they clean their bum.

But we have a choice here...and those conditions are not relevant here - not judgement at all.

 

[Turquoise Blue]

Finding new ways to stretch the budget is important, with the cost of living rising and pensions not always covering bills, groceries, and other expenses.

But a mum who recently suggested ditching traditional toilet paper for reusable rags (which she dubbed as ‘family cloth’) has caused outrage online from people who think she’s taken penny-pinching a step too far.

Frith, who considers herself a 'reusable nappy expert', frequently makes online videos where she shares her eco-friendly family lifestyle.

And recently, her videos promoting her reusable toilet cloths have become popular. She claims that her switch has already saved her £77, or around $150, but the comments on her videos have been mainly negative.

View attachment 32918

A Scottish mum shared their family’s alternative to toilet paper. Image source: TikTok/@frithonlife.

'We’ve had a toilet roll subscription for the last three years so I can easily see how much less we’re using and how much we’re saving,' Frith captioned her video.

She also explained the cleaning process: 'They only need a quick rinse cycle and then they can go in your normal laundry wash.'

Despite the flurry of criticism, Frith claims that reusable cloths—when washed correctly—are far more hygienic than paper and better for sensitive skin in the area. They also don’t need to be touched once used as they are stored in a zip wetbag.

'Simply unzip the bag and pop it in the machine and it will do all the rest for you,' she explained.

However, many are unconvinced by this mum’s tip as she received a barrage of criticism for her wiping solution.

Despite this, the mum stood by her decision and said in a follow-up video that she does not understand people’s problem with using cloth instead of toilet paper.

'Somehow people are absolutely outraged that someone might want to use a reusable cloth to wipe their bottom when it's far more hygienic than using paper that doesn't really clean you and you're more likely to get poo on your hands,' the mum said.

'Washing machines are amazing things and they clean stuff way better than soap and water. So if anyone can explain to me what the issue is, that'd be great.'

Frith’s argument is valid according to colorectal surgeon Dr Bradley Morris. He also suggested shifting to toiler paper alternatives to avoid heath issues caused by excessive wiping.

'Most of the problems I see with the skin around the anus are due to excess attempts at hygiene, and it’s very rarely due to inadequate hygiene. It’s a very sensitive area,' Dr Morris said.

'I don't understand why we use toilet paper to wipe, if you imagine soiling your face or something else where you wouldn't smear it off with toilet paper.'

The doctor suggested Aussies to shift their mindsets and join the 70 per cent of the world’s population who don’t use toilet paper.

'I think we need to readdress culturally what we do, and maybe look at bidets, and using water to wash, but excess wiping can traumatise the skin,' he said.

And to add, the environmental benefits of leaving toilet paper behind are substantial as millions of trees are logged annually to meet the world’s demand for toilet paper.

The material in toilet paper also contains chemicals that have been linked to a range of human and environmental health problems.

You can watch her full video below:

Source: TikTok/@frithonlife. ​

Key Takeaways

• A mum named Frith has caused controversy by deciding to use rags instead of toilet paper as a part of her eco-friendly lifestyle.
• She has saved about £77 or around $150 since making the switch and she cleans the reusable wipes in the washing machine.
• The decision has received a lot of backlash, but Frith defends her decision and argues that the cloth is more hygienic and effective than paper.
• Colorectal surgeon Dr Bradley Morris supports alternatives to toilet paper due to health issues caused by excessive wiping.
• The environmental benefit of reduced toilet paper usage was also highlighted.

Members, what are your thoughts on this story? Would you be amenable to lessening your use of toilet paper? Let us know in the comments below!

We used cloth nappies for our babies in my day. Soaked the dirty nappies in Napisan & rinsed & put into washing machine. What's the difference? Saves money

 

[Knell]

We used cloth nappies for our babies in my day. Soaked the dirty nappies in Napisan & rinsed & put into washing machine. What's the difference? Saves money

But they were babies on milk diet and we are adults with different diet = makes a difference I think.

 

[Supernan1950]

Finding new ways to stretch the budget is important, with the cost of living rising and pensions not always covering bills, groceries, and other expenses.

But a mum who recently suggested ditching traditional toilet paper for reusable rags (which she dubbed as ‘family cloth’) has caused outrage online from people who think she’s taken penny-pinching a step too far.

Frith, who considers herself a 'reusable nappy expert', frequently makes online videos where she shares her eco-friendly family lifestyle.

And recently, her videos promoting her reusable toilet cloths have become popular. She claims that her switch has already saved her £77, or around $150, but the comments on her videos have been mainly negative.

View attachment 32918

A Scottish mum shared their family’s alternative to toilet paper. Image source: TikTok/@frithonlife.

'We’ve had a toilet roll subscription for the last three years so I can easily see how much less we’re using and how much we’re saving,' Frith captioned her video.

She also explained the cleaning process: 'They only need a quick rinse cycle and then they can go in your normal laundry wash.'

Despite the flurry of criticism, Frith claims that reusable cloths—when washed correctly—are far more hygienic than paper and better for sensitive skin in the area. They also don’t need to be touched once used as they are stored in a zip wetbag.

'Simply unzip the bag and pop it in the machine and it will do all the rest for you,' she explained.

However, many are unconvinced by this mum’s tip as she received a barrage of criticism for her wiping solution.

Despite this, the mum stood by her decision and said in a follow-up video that she does not understand people’s problem with using cloth instead of toilet paper.

'Somehow people are absolutely outraged that someone might want to use a reusable cloth to wipe their bottom when it's far more hygienic than using paper that doesn't really clean you and you're more likely to get poo on your hands,' the mum said.

'Washing machines are amazing things and they clean stuff way better than soap and water. So if anyone can explain to me what the issue is, that'd be great.'

Frith’s argument is valid according to colorectal surgeon Dr Bradley Morris. He also suggested shifting to toiler paper alternatives to avoid heath issues caused by excessive wiping.

'Most of the problems I see with the skin around the anus are due to excess attempts at hygiene, and it’s very rarely due to inadequate hygiene. It’s a very sensitive area,' Dr Morris said.

'I don't understand why we use toilet paper to wipe, if you imagine soiling your face or something else where you wouldn't smear it off with toilet paper.'

The doctor suggested Aussies to shift their mindsets and join the 70 per cent of the world’s population who don’t use toilet paper.

'I think we need to readdress culturally what we do, and maybe look at bidets, and using water to wash, but excess wiping can traumatise the skin,' he said.

And to add, the environmental benefits of leaving toilet paper behind are substantial as millions of trees are logged annually to meet the world’s demand for toilet paper.

The material in toilet paper also contains chemicals that have been linked to a range of human and environmental health problems.

You can watch her full video below:

Source: TikTok/@frithonlife. ​

Key Takeaways

• A mum named Frith has caused controversy by deciding to use rags instead of toilet paper as a part of her eco-friendly lifestyle.
• She has saved about £77 or around $150 since making the switch and she cleans the reusable wipes in the washing machine.
• The decision has received a lot of backlash, but Frith defends her decision and argues that the cloth is more hygienic and effective than paper.
• Colorectal surgeon Dr Bradley Morris supports alternatives to toilet paper due to health issues caused by excessive wiping.
• The environmental benefit of reduced toilet paper usage was also highlighted.

Members, what are your thoughts on this story? Would you be amenable to lessening your use of toilet paper? Let us know in the comments below!

I don’t have a problem with using cloth wipes I had to use them when covid hit Australia and everyone was buying toilet paper and it got short. It was much better on my bottom than toilet paper and I only use Quilton. They are not hard to launder and are much better for the environment. When I had my kids I used cloth nappies and they were easy and economical to use you put them in a plastic container to soak and then washed them in the washing machine and hung them out on the clothes line or in the dryer if you had one.

 

[IAN3005]

Mmmm, bears thinking about. Those who like fancy gadgets could instal a Japanese version of toilet that washes and dries with the touch of a button.

No..... you just need a bidet hose with a trigger action plumbed into your existing toilet. You buy them in Thailand where they have no toilet paper. Those the do guard it with their life.

 

[Gsr]

2 kids, 5 years washing cloth nappies using Nappysan or whatever it was called. Disposable plastic-coated nappies are an unnecessary and crapulous idea that take up landfill and use resources best left in the ground. So nappies get contaminated by shit (sorry to use a good Anglo-saxon bit of biological terminology)? That can be washed off by hose-pipe into wherever you want including fertilising your plastic lawn. Then soak nappies in an appropriate solution that kills bugs, wash and rinse and hang 'em up in sunlight to dry. Your kids are most unlikely to suffer from nappy rash.

The Weekend Australian makes useful toilet paper; cut a page into 6 sheets and moisten slightly before use. You won't be able to shove your fingers through it as easily as happens with some of the cheaper toilet papers, and one Weekend Australian newspaper will keep a family of three well supplied with bog paper for a fortnight. Whether you want to read it before use is your choice.

The use of cloth as re-usable arse-wipe. As long as it is cleaned properly, as once were cloth nappies, what is the problem? Apart from prejudice?

Yep back in the days of living in the sticks we only ever used newspaper, might be a problem now with so many people reading everything online. Won’t be long and newspapers won’t exist anymore. Don’t think they would do much good in flushable dunnies, would probably end up blocking the pipes and costing a very large plumbers bill. Stuff up the councils sewerage system and the treatment works as well.

 

[Bridgit]

I do not agree. I use less toilet paper and then use the wet wipes that are flushable to make sure I am clean.

You do know that those clog up the system? They do not break down and calling them flushable is a big stretch - just ask the workers that have to clear them from the system when they stuff up - not biodegradable.

 

[DLHM]

Ms Frith should use the Gympie Gympie Stinging Nettle instead. Solves the problem of wiping yourself with ANYTHING!

Found on Queensland’s Atherton Tableland, here's one account of what it does.

“Being stung is the worst kind of pain you can imagine – like being burnt with hot acid and electrocuted at the same time,” said Marina, who at the time was a postgraduate student at James Cook University investigating the herbivores that eat stinging trees.

“The allergic reaction developed over time, causing extreme itching and huge hives that eventually required steroid treatment. At that point my doctor advised that I should have no further contact with the plant and I didn’t object.”

Nice!

Here's another that might be an urban myth.

"A British officer is said to have committed suicide after he mistakenly used a leaf as toilet paper causing him to go insane from the pain before shooting himself in the head."

I suppose that's one way to stop the pain, albeit a permanent one!

As soon as I read your first paragraph, I started laughing! You’re quite a character!

 

[magpie1]

Remember when I was a young kid, we had an outdoor toilet, with a bucket underneath to catch everything and that was emptied weekly if I remember correctly by the 'Pan Man' as I called him, who would put in a fresh bucket and carry the old one out on his shoulder, which sometimes sloshed out onto his shirt when he walked.....we also had newspapers cut up and pierced through with a nail on the wall, and you just took one sheet after another off the nail to wipe your bum and drop it into the bucket below.....no flushing in those days until they hooked the house up to the septic system. In the meantime, using old newspapers cut up, you had at least something to read, while you were waiting, or the odd comic you had left on the floor. They were the good old days, when nobody really gave a shit about the toilet you had.

 

[AlanQ]

70% of the world population still don't use toilet paper. It's a product that has only existed since the start of the 1900's and the bulk of the world didn't buy it as it wasn't affordable. What did the vast majority of the readers on this page do when they had kids, the used clothe nappies and washed them. What's the difference? I worked with someone that used to take home rolls from work to save money. Lastly, she has saved $5 at most a week.

 

[Catherines]

Go on a train ride in some of the developing countries - now more developed in some areas, but still very much over-populated India and many other countries - and you will see children (and sometimes adults) sitting beside the railway line doing their 'business' with a pot of water beside them to wash their private parts. In some of these very poor rural areas toilet paper is just not available or unaffordable. Cleanliness and good hygiene afterwards is the key.

I too, soaked and washed my babies' nappies in Napisan. All their nappies had a layer of another thin material which was disposable via the toilet. The incredible amount of disposables in our rubbish & land-fill is unbelievable and yet the young ones of today don't see that. Too lazy to soak and wash.

 

[Knell]

70% of the world population still don't use toilet paper. It's a product that has only existed since the start of the 1900's and the bulk of the world didn't buy it as it wasn't affordable. What did the vast majority of the readers on this page do when they had kids, the used clothe nappies and washed them. What's the difference? I worked with someone that used to take home rolls from work to save money. Lastly, she has saved $5 at most a week.

The difference is - now a choice. Thank goodness for that as far as I am concerned. ..but definitely each to their own.

 

[Knell]

You do know that those clog up the system? They do not break down and calling them flushable is a big stretch - just ask the workers that have to clear them from the system when they stuff up - not biodegradable.

They are biodegradable.

 

[Knell]

Go on a train ride in some of the developing countries - now more developed in some areas, but still very much over-populated India and many other countries - and you will see children (and sometimes adults) sitting beside the railway line doing their 'business' with a pot of water beside them to wash their private parts. In some of these very poor rural areas toilet paper is just not available or unaffordable. Cleanliness and good hygiene afterwards is the key.

I too, soaked and washed my babies' nappies in Napisan. All their nappies had a layer of another thin material which was disposable via the toilet. The incredible amount of disposables in our rubbish & land-fill is unbelievable and yet the young ones of today don't see that. Too lazy to soak and wash.

That would be those ones that take any and every opportunity to spruik environmental awareness

 

[Rob44]

Yep back in the days of living in the sticks we only ever used newspaper, might be a problem now with so many people reading everything online. Won’t be long and newspapers won’t exist anymore. Don’t think they would do much good in flushable dunnies, would probably end up blocking the pipes and costing a very large plumbers bill. Stuff up the councils sewerage system and the treatment works as well.

i SUPPOSE ONE COULLD TRY USE SING A MOBILE PHONE WHILST TAKING A SELFIE AT THE SAME TIME

 

[johno cpfc]

I do not agree. I use less toilet paper and then use the wet wipes that are flushable to make sure I am clean.

I just hope you can afford the bill when you have to call the plumber to unblock you drains from the plugged up sewer pipes which happens so so often form people using wipes then flushing the down the sewer pipes.

 

[Knell]

I just hope you can afford the bill when you have to call the plumber to unblock you drains from the plugged up sewer pipes which happens so so often form people using wipes then flushing the down the sewer pipes.

A sarcastic objector! A plunger is cheap and works a treat whether a toilet paper block or flushable biodegradable wipe.

 

[Royal Watcher]

Well each to his own, but I couldn’t think of anything more fraught with potential hygiene problems than this practice! So, you’re wiping your derrière with this cloth & then putting that where? while you unzip a wash bag & put it in! And, do you keep the zip lock bag somewhere until you do the washing? Remember that it’s not just a washing machine that gets the germs out of things - soap & water is what removes bacteria! That’s why in hospitals the nurses are told to wash their hands w soap & water at reg intervals not just rely on hand sanitizer! Don’t always agree with drs opinion on hygiene either! I wonder if this woman uses ‘rags’ instead of sanitary pads as well!!?? I don’t think anything wrong w toilet paper - use eco-friendly if ur xtra fussed! I was raised in the country, so I’ve seen it all! Long drops as they’re called & using squares of newspaper (also used for putting on the plates of the rabbit traps when they were being set so little stones wouldn’t set them off)! Worries me about all the handling of the zip-up bag, the ‘where’ it’s put after you’ve done that etc etc!? Don’t compare it with nappies, it is diff handling adult waste v babies waste!! Yes I did use swansdown nappies too except for my last child (who is now 43!) when I chose to use Snuggies! And I wasn’t lazy, life changed & it was more convenient- so sue me! Everyone does what they see fit to do for whatever reason, but if you’re going to ‘put it out there’, be prepared for the backlash you get from all the critics, some worse than others!!

 

[Royal Watcher]

As soon as I read your first paragraph, I started laughing! You’re quite a character!

Yes, we had Stinging Nettles at home in country - I remember having to twinkle once when out in paddock w my dad & you looked for nearest bush to maintain your dignity - well that wasn’t maintained for long as I jumped up in pain having squatted on top of a nettle!!!!! They are the worst instant pain, worse than bee stings, jellyfish stings, prickly bushes, u name it,
Stinging Nettles are way up there!!!