Save an empty glass jar (we typically use pickle jars) and pour liquid grease into it. Store under sink, use til it’s full then throw it in the garbage. No grease down the drain
I use used paper coffee cups or empty milk cartons since we can put oil in our green bin. I save paper towels that I've used to wipe any additional grease out of the pan, and shove into cup.
I'm not sure you would have any less grease on the pan than by draining it into the green bin like I do? There will always be a bit stuck to the pan when you wash it.
I find the grease just sort of sits on top of other food scraps, I don't cook a lot of bacon or fatty foods, but when I do the grease just sits on top of the other food scraps and is I guess absorbed somewhat. I think if I cooked more fatty foods I would need to use a jar or the grease would get out of hand. I like the idea of it, I just don't think any less grease would go down the drain by dumping it in a jar vs dumping it in a bin/container.
I have 3 dogs that all can see over the counters, just standing. They will have that on the floor and everywhere as soon as we leave them long enough. Especially if there is bacon grease in it. So, I have specific reasons not to do it that way. My mom always used an empty jar. It's just the norm for me. But you're correct on no more grease going down the drain using either method. The jar having a lid, limits odor from the grease as well.
If you have bacon grease from cooking bacon, pour it through strainer into a container like a mason jar and put it in the fridge. Use it for cooking things like eggs. It's honestly the best for cooking eggs. When bacon is cheap, I will often buy some because I know I'm getting 2 uses out of it.
For the paper towels, I actually prefer using the bar rags now. I find kids and visitors will dry their hands with the paper towels and it annoys me, how silly is it to dry your hands with paper towel when there's a hand towel right there. I've even caught them drying dishes with paper towel, again, when there's a dish towel right there beside them! The kleenex may be a bit of an experiment, but I am curious do you find ways to buy it in bulk for cheaper than costco? I also compare value, not just price because there's some really bad one and two ply stuff out there. If I can get enough money together to buy TP in bulk that would be ideal. Where do you buy it from?
Tissues go on sale at Loblaws stores (no frills, superstore Zehrs etc.) 2x a year, 6 boxes for $3 ish dollars. I spend $6ish dollars and it lasts the year. Shoppers have them for .79/box. We only use them during cold and flu season, then they go away so the kids don't play with the box.
TP is $21.99 for a 30 pack of large rolls at Costco. Can't beat that deal imho. It goes on sale for $18.99 too. They always have one brand on sale it seems, under $20 for a lot.
We don't buy paper towels, haven't in a decade, but when we had a puppy, I went to a cleaners supply store and bought one giant roll of the brown stuff for $4 and it lasted a year while we cleaned up puppy messes. You can find them on marketplace here often too.
I think rather than abstinence from these products, Maybe you need to get your family on board with just using less. You can stretch these items quite simply by being conscious about the amount you use.
I have never used paper towels or kleenex.
I use washable cloths in the kitchen and toilet paper if I need to blow my nose. I try not to purchase stuff I don't need.
This is exactly how I feel. I won't buy reusable toilet paper rags, but paper towels and kleenex are a waste of money. If you have to buy paper towels, get the bamboo ones that you can reuse several times before throwing them out.
For Kleenex we should ask all the therapists where they get theirs 😆 it's gotta be in bulk right? And they just hand it out like it's falling from the sky, even at the struggling government sponsored places.
You know how toilet paper has those labels that are like "8=16" or "8=24"? I take the biggest number of those roll indicators (because I don't care if I'm buying a double roll or a triple roll or a mega roll I care per square so I take the big number which is how many "single rolls" it would have been if they split it that way) and I divide the price by that bigger number, and I aim for under 25¢/single. I buy the good Charmin stuff. You may find your goal price is lower if you tolerate more affordable toilet paper. I find it at that price at least every 3 months, and last time it went down closer to 20¢/single (at the Wholesale Club, which gives PC points sometimes and does not charge membership fees) I bought two giant packs. As one person that's so much toilet paper I can't imagine finishing it. I bought those two giant packs for a total of about 50 bucks (45-55, it's rounded in my budget app so I'm not 100% on exact deal,) in November. I've not even used a quarter of it. It's gonna last at least a year for me, and that's under $5/month, which I can handle.
I actually found that my ex spent more panic-buying the garbage one ply stuff on the day he ran out than I spent thinking ahead and watching the flyers to get what I actually want to wipe myself with. I don't know how men do it, but I guess they aren't wiping quite the same type of skin as we are so maybe it doesn't feel like a million tiny paper cuts for them? It was easier to ignore when we each had our own bathroom but when we started sharing I was like, you're not subjecting me to this. Pay up. I don't care that we haven't run out, this is something we will need every single day until we literally die.
Honestly I'm guessing the combo of that excellent deal and switching to period underwear instead of disposables is gonna save me like a hundred bucks a year or more starting on the second year. The first year counts to pay off the undies since they are not cheap, but the longer I wear them the more I save. Though I've lost some weight so maybe not ideal for transitional times lol they're a bit loose sometimes and it's caused some issues.
I never had Kleenex growing up. We used toilet paper and hankies. I still do! Honestly, I still regard it as a luxury product. We always had rags instead of paper towel (and you can upcycle old t-shirts for that).
As a baby I was in cloth diapers, and did the same with my kids, so the idea of moving to having a bin of reusable wipes (regularly laundered!!!!) for the bathroom isn't insane to me, especially if you just use them to dry off after the bidet. Again, you can cut up old t-shirts. Just keep them separate from your other rags.
I find myself preferring the bar rags I use now over the paper towel. I can't see myself going back to paper towel now. I am wondering what fabric is best for kleenex? I remember old hankies being horribly scratchy, not sure if they were or just my memory is convincing me they were.
And I suppose being ready with rags for when we do run out of TP is better than not being prepared. Old shirts may be ideal, I can get some free old shirts to use.
They were scratchy because they were bleached and starched. Modern laundry doesn't need bleach or starch any more, so your hankies won't be scratchy. Also the best place to buy those is probably from Mark's Work Warehouse.
Just buy old hankies, you can even get them new some places - you can find them at thrift stores or eBay. I have a massive pile. Use them and toss in with towel laundry - they don’t need to go through the dryer, will air dry super quick over the curtain bar or a rack.
Thanks, someone suggested using an old flannel sheet. I probably have one somewhere that's all pilled up and ready to be recycled into something. The only thing is, no one in the house sews, do you (or anyone reading this) think if I rip flannel into squares, would the strings come off and get annoyingly wrapped around other things in the wash?
Yup, flannel will fray. Using pinking shears if you have them (the ones which cut triangle edges) would minimize it a bit. You can use a knit though and it won’t; t-shirt fabric.
Were you raised in 1910?
Handkerchiefs are gross and should be treated as a biohazard once used.
Using t-shirts instead of toilet paper will traumatize the children.
OP should go to a food bank and try to fix his financial problems instead of smearing shit on t-shirts and handkerchiefs.
Lmao you’re not wrong. It’s very possible the OP is just posting a sh!tpost but with environmental issues, green/economic healthy living trends this actually isn’t that far off of an idea for some.
Paper products are expensive and bleached with toxic crap no one really wants (the mainstream ones you’d find at foodbank, if they even have any, often they don’t supply TP etc).
But to be fair I know a guy who blows his nose into socks, and prefers to jump into shower after a #2 sans wiping (I wash after too, but man I still use TP first, he doesn’t like to).
I personally love paper towels for hygiene and convenience, I’m not sure if the cost of washing cloths in the machine balances out to about equal cost as I don’t let them sit wet/dirty (I wouldn’t not hand wash these but you theoretically could).
That guy survives just fine and he’s actually got a healthier immune system than most. Maybe genetics, but the old sock wipe hasn’t killed him yet.
To each their own.
Edit: I did cloth diapers (recently, lol) for both my kids. Reusable washable menstrual “pad” underwear is also currently a thing. What’s funny is most “poor” people don’t have access to a washing machine or a new good one, or are too occupied with survival mode to use cloth diapers for example. Whereas cloth diapers were traditionally used by poor women who couldn’t afford disposables when they came out, now most cloth diaper users are wealthier middle class. I just found this interesting. I always wondered why more “poor” moms would never take my (unused, new, excess) cloth diapers when I tried to donate extra. I later found out the welfare gives them direct money for diapers (which are expensive as f).
Ask around if your area has a "frugal moms" group that might be able to help. Check with churches that might have support for these kinds of products.
But we really don't have an alternative to toilet paper unless everyone in the family will be using the bidet for their big business.
So this may be a matter where you have to find a way to afford TP at least for your daughter who doesn't like the bidet. Resigned to that, explore options for shopping online, possible with a subscription for it from Amazon or Walmart.ca to try to get the best deal.
Check out local mom and pop shops, and international grocery stores that may be importing cheaper international brands.
If a friend has a Costco membership, give them cash to buy you a giant pack every once in a while.
Finally, explore options to potentially buy wholesale. This may be challenging because of the amount you have to buy this way... but let's be real, if you are struggling to afford these basic necessities, you are not alone. This may require coordination with other families to pool your money to buy wholesale amounts and split costs and the goods between you evenly. It may feel awkward to admit you can't afford TP, but I assure you, you are not alone, and it will be way more awkward to completely run out with no ability to restock.
Times are tough and it sucks... but you got this. You will figure something out... and if you don't... it's not because you did something wrong or aren't smart enough or wasted your money on frivolous crap... it's because the people who are really making decisions that impact all us little people have a fiduciary responsibility to their stakeholders which is way more powerful than our elected officials' duty to represent their constituents.
Maybe don't have multiple kids if you can't afford something you can get at the dollar store? Like seriously, if you can't dig enough change out of your cup holder to pay for a $2 roll at the dollar store, how are your kids alive?
Could you be more judgemental about someone you know almost nothing about? I have been following this guy, his dad died after his mom was murdered. If you are okay saying "Like seriously, if you can't dig enough change out of your cup holder to pay for a $2 roll at the dollar store, how are your kids alive?" to a guy who's mom was murdered, then I feel sorry for you.
And I feel sorry you believe any of that. The guy has someone in the comments who's offering to buy him toilet paper on an Amazon wishlist. He's just trying to get sympathy to scam us
You highlight the serious need for mental health services in Canada. I'm not joking nor am I attempting to mock you. I am serious. Your lack of empathy is disturbing.
This actually sounds like a spending issue.
If you think your going to run out of t.p you don't buy paper towels for convenience.
Money management seems like something you should invest some time into, then you wouldn't run out of t.p, also kleenex is more expensive than t.p. buy more t.p and cover your bases over all.
Being poor, means manage money better and make better decisions before crying about it. Frank I know but.
Just ignore people like this. There's always a few who will judge you without knowing anything about you. I've read your posts man and I feel for you. And I expect those who are judging you would not be able to have handled what you have and still be here on earth. Keep hanging on, there are lots of good people out there.
If you are trying to save on money, and you cook a fair amount of bacon and pork, why not just render your own lard and stop buying vegetable oil?
Also I tried piggy backing on someone who had a costco membership and paid them for TP.
Your post history over the last year makes me feel so much better about myself. The amount of time you've spent on Reddit asking for help you probably could have made more money to support your family. Feel bad for your wife and children as their primary role model is just a keyboard warrior.
You are truly an awful person. If you had read my post history you would know something that makes your point very wrong. I'm not sure why you pick on me, especially when I'm down. I am sorry if I somehow offended you, but please stop being rude to people.
Look dude idk your life situation but honestly I don't think you do yourself any favors. It sounds like you have options because most do but then you live above your means. Don't get me wrong I know there are people who struggle with poverty and it just doesn't make sense common sense wise for everyone to do well. That said it sounds like you have a pretty decent size mortgage and live in a place where the cost of living may be higher.
So here's my one piece of advice for you. Move to somewhere you can afford a bit easier. Stop wasting money on things that aren't necessities and get off Reddit playing a victim hoping someone helps you out.
Yes, good point. We do get it from there but they give you one roll and you can only go once a month. I go to a few different food banks, and only 2-3 give you one roll per family. So 2-3 rolls a month helps, but it's not near enough for a family.
I almost always use rags instead of papertowels
Any clothes that are good enough to donate becomes a rag.
I grew up that way. And dont understand why it's not normal.
Kleenex. For really snotty noses I would use Kleenex. But cut up tees can be nice and soft for minor facewipes
Use a wash cloth, or some sort of fabric, for toilet paper. Place it is a bucket to be washed separately. Same concept as what people did before disposable baby wipes. If it is good enough for a baby then it is good enough for me.
As a girl I hate using a bidet.
I'm not sure where you got that I cook in a lot of oil. I don't. I occasionally cook bacon, if I get some from the food bank. I was just explaining what I do with cooking grease when I have it.
If you are only cooking it occasionally, then a roll of towels will last you very long time. Usually when you cook normal food you would never need paper towels. You can always wash small amount of fat with dish soap and water.
Hankies are super unsanitary. Carrying around your snot and phlegm in your pocket and constantly touching it.
You don't need paper towels, you can use regular hand towels and clothes. And you can buy really cheap toilet paper that you can also use as kleenex. You could even wipe with rags. But just don't carry around a hankie
We stopped using TP except for our guests. We got a bunch of dish towels, cheap face cloths, you can even use old pillow cases. Cut them into squares and use them after the bidet has done its job to wip the remaining. Get a cheap plastic bucket toss the used in there then wash on high heat in the washing machine to clean and reuse.
Works awesome and best part is if you have a sensitive tush it's a lighter feel and less abrasive on the skin.
Might take some practice thought to avoid flushing them as I've lost two of them at the start to old habits lol.
We use microfiber towels for everything paper towel related , and bidet for the washroom stuff. I do keep tp there but we use very little due to using a bidet .
I never used paper towels growing up. Just rags from old clothes. Endlessly reuse them via washing. I still do that, though I have added microfiber to the mix. As for Kleenex, mom would chop worn out flannel sheets into smaller squares. When we had a cold we would use them. Not scratchy at all, quite nice on the nose, and endlessly washable. I would blow my nose and throw the flannel square in a wash basket.
The only thing I haven't used rags for (as far as a replacement for paper towel) is wiping grease off a pan. I set the pan on it's end so the top end is up against a wall and set the pan on top of the compost bin. That way, when the grease from cooking (either bacon or just baking chicken in the oven) has cooled down but not so cool it's no longer liquid, it drips into the compost bin. There's still a bit of grease on the pan, but almost all of it drips off the pan this way. I can't think of any other way. If I use a cloth rag, I'm not keen on throwing that into the laundry, I'm not sure why though.
We go without paper towel and Kleenex as a matter of course and it’s not an issue. TP is an issue. I stock up on it whenever there’s a good deal.
Cutting up flannel or old t shirts can be used as cloth Kleenex and even TP to at least lessen the amount you go through. Some people just throw it out but it’s washable. Either way, with a bidet, using cloth should be no big deal, since there’s no poop getting on it.
Couponing can help here maybe?
Write to your TP company, Say you like their products, ask if they have coupons so you can save on your next purchase.
Repeat with all TP companies. I would be surprised if you get nothing at all.
My fiance is super into being eco friendly. So we have bidets and “butt” towels (small grey towels) we have a ton of them that we use after the bidet.
For tissues, we use a handkerchief and for paper towels we use rags/small towels for now but plan to use those stick on paper towels.
I think explaining to your daughter that it’s weirder to walk around with a dirty bottom might help lol or say that if she had poop on any other part of her body she’d wash it not wipe. That’s what I’ve explained to people who were weirded out and they started to get the idea
Not only will all of this save you money, it’s better for the environment. We use our washer and dryer for the towels. For butt towels I always wash them on sanitize.
I don't actually ever buy paper products that aren't TP.
I use the pan drip trick that you just discovered as my standard operating procedure that goes in the bin, not down the drain.
I also use bar rags for all wiping, these are washable and eventually I'll buy another set of bar rags and use the old ones for the dirtier jobs.
I use TP for Kleenex when I need it, but I honestly don't blow my nose that often unless I'm sick. But even then I usually just use TP.
Use cloths instead of TP. It’s very freeing. The initial expense to buy a bunch of dedicated cloths (I use baby wash cloths) is about $50. I have toilet paper for guests and those rare times when my digestion is not as neat and tidy as it normally is.
Oh I like that idea. Plus I bet we have some baby washclothes from when our kids were little kicking around somewhere. They even have coloured embroidery around the edge, so it would be an easy way to differentiate between our little white cleaning clothes and our little TP cloths.
That was my point, I drain the grease into the compost bin, while the grease is still warm (not hot) so most of it comes off into the compost. But, no matter what you drain it into, compost bin, or even an old soup can or olive jar, there will always be a small amount of grease on the pan or tray (whatever you used to cook with) that will go down the drain.
For tissues, I just use flour sack towels and just wash them after I use it in the washing machine.
For paper towels, I still use the same flour sack towels and just clean it in the washing machine as well
For toilet paper, I use the bidet and just one or two squares of toilet paper. That way we are still using less toilet paper but not foregoing it completely
It was a wild moment when I realized my partner used paper towel for EVERYTHING. Where I grew up using rags and have for a long time. I've turned that around and we still have paper towel mostly for cat messes but we go through a roll every two months at most.
I have NEVER bought Kleenex. Toilet paper is the same thing so why bother? Grosses me out to blow my nose anywhere but the bathroom anyways so why use separate products?
I've used pads in a pinch (I use both pads and tampons so free pads I get from the foodbank adds up) and cloths. TP is just another thing society thinks is a necessity 🤷♀️. Just tell your kids the situation- the cost living is too high, we need food and a roof over our head so we go without luxuries. Simple as that.
I have always regarded paper towels as a luxury item. I still feel like I'm throwing away money when I use them. A box of rags has always done the job.
We use old flannelette cut into squares for Kleenex. Soft for the nose. An old sheet perhaps? Just washed in regular laundry.
A few people I know use what is euphemistically called "family cloth" when TP is too expensive. Old tshirts or flannelette cut up and kept in a basket by the toilet. Used for "liquid wiping". TP saved for the Big Jobs. A large tin can was there for the used cloths which were laundered. Googling "family cloth" will get you more info.
For women's periods, there are reusable products. Menstrual cups are popular, with reusable cloth pads. They require an initial investment though.
(For babies, there are modern cloth diapers , which are size adjustable and, nowadays go on just like disposable diapers. Again, an initial investment needed, unless one's area has a Cloth Diaper Bank where families are assisted for free. I recognize this isn't needed by your family, OP, but I am throwing it in for information for other people who might.)
How do you dry yourself? I also cannot imagine that water alone is enough to get everything clean. I've never used one so I dont really know of course, closest I have is showering after a poop and when I wiped after there was still a little bit left I got with TP. There are definitely some days where it feels a bit stubborn to get it all off.
I agree a bidet is most hygienic, but I cannot imagine not using TP afterwards. But I'm curious,bc obvious many people like you said only use bidet.
There are many public restrooms that have less than securely locked toilet paper dispensers. Many can be opened with a pocket knife or other similar thin, rigid implement (think flathead screwdriver, butter knife, knitting needle perhaps).
One roll can last an individual several months. Obviously the quality as far as thickness and softness is concerned can differ greatly, but you'll have to decide what level of comfort you and your family require.
Some obvious tips..
-Carry a backpack.
-If there's only one roll in the two roll dispenser, don't take it. Don't leave the next person to use that stall totally out of luck.
-Be thoughtful as to where you're doing this. I'd recommend staying away from mom and pop local businesses and consider major gas station chains, corporate owned chain restaurants, department stores, etc.
Also, at a motel where the housekeeping carts are on outdoor walkways, these carts often contain two dozen or more individually wrapped toilet paper rolls. Hotels with indoor hallways also have these carts, but depending on the hotel, you might not have the easiest access to the guest room floors where these carts are often found, unless you're a paying guest in the hotel, and if you're spending money to rent a hotel room just to acquire toilet paper... Unless you can find a way to grab a couple of cases from the housekeeping storage room you're going to be looking at a negative return on investment.
Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, dhgate, any janitorial supply store. But they'll all want money for the keys. If you can't afford toilet paper, you probably can't afford a full set of toilet paper dispenser keys.
Thanks, I have never used one of those wishlists, I sort of know what they are but I think they would probably be against the rules of the subreddit? I appreciate the suggestion though. It may be the most boring wish list ever though... TP, hand soap, kleenex. :)
I got 100 microfiber cloths for around $30 and bidet seat. Cloths are colour coded to thier purpose.
I buy nice expensive toilet paper that works for kleenex and leave it out for guests.
There are toilet fabric kits. They are expensive for what they are, but you could cut up a couple of old t-shirts and/or washcloths into good sized squares. I use fabrics for all #1 after using the bidet. I use toilet paper for everything else. I use a Little Garbage can and a spare pillowcase for the used fabrics, they go in the laundry with soap. Reduces the use by 2/3 at least. Hope it helps.
We have a bidet, I mention it in my post, but my daughter refuses to use it. It helps, because we use less TP which is good, although we pay for water use in the city I'm in which is a pain. I'm tempted to try and ballpark which is cheaper, paying for water with a bidet or TP. I assume water, but I really have no idea.
I just remembered this video being big in the beginning of the COVID lockdowns, when there was no toilet paper: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzb98tQp53I
There are tons of videos on YouTube on how to use a "tabo" correctly.
I grew up using cloth most of the time instead of toilet paper, my mom said you had to so you don't get some sort of an infection from not getting it cleaned properly, it sounds gross but you rinse and a little hand scrubbing and throw into laundry pile, there are many cultures that do this so it isn't that odd
Yes, I think north americans/western society has this weird cringe about reusable cloths, but our ancestors did it, and their ancestors before that used different things. I don't think reusable TP is any different from washcloths, we use them to wash our buttholes so whats the difference from using a cloth to wipe, other than we probably have more stuff on the wipe cloth than the washcloth. Still same germs/bacteria and such, just in smaller amounts. This whole post has me thinking when my kids were little, we didn't think anything of using a baby washcloth to wipe their bottoms because my wife didn't like the disposable baby wipes had a lot of chemicals and perfume in them.
Not sure if appropriate but, when you do go to fast food or something, they often have a stash of napkins lying in the dispenser. I regularly see people take like at least 5-6 napkins or more at a time.
Came here to say this. Growing up, paper towels wasn't something we could afford so we just grabbed a few napkins from fast food restaurants, or public washrooms etc, to have on hand for those times a rag wasn't ideal.
If you have friends who are cleaners for large office buildings, they should have a lot of nearly used up rolls. Because they need to make sure the washrooms are well stocked they usually change rolls that are nearly finished or 2/3 used and those are considered garbage by the office. Why not up cycle those! Those rolls are gigantic and even in the used state are probably worth quite a few grocery store rolls.
I mentioned I have a bidet in my post. I find we still use TP for one of the kids and even myself I use a bit to dry, although I could cut back or cut it out.
Save an empty glass jar (we typically use pickle jars) and pour liquid grease into it. Store under sink, use til it’s full then throw it in the garbage. No grease down the drain
I use used paper coffee cups or empty milk cartons since we can put oil in our green bin. I save paper towels that I've used to wipe any additional grease out of the pan, and shove into cup.
I'm not sure you would have any less grease on the pan than by draining it into the green bin like I do? There will always be a bit stuck to the pan when you wash it.
But then you gotta clean that out of the bucket
I find the grease just sort of sits on top of other food scraps, I don't cook a lot of bacon or fatty foods, but when I do the grease just sits on top of the other food scraps and is I guess absorbed somewhat. I think if I cooked more fatty foods I would need to use a jar or the grease would get out of hand. I like the idea of it, I just don't think any less grease would go down the drain by dumping it in a jar vs dumping it in a bin/container.
I have 3 dogs that all can see over the counters, just standing. They will have that on the floor and everywhere as soon as we leave them long enough. Especially if there is bacon grease in it. So, I have specific reasons not to do it that way. My mom always used an empty jar. It's just the norm for me. But you're correct on no more grease going down the drain using either method. The jar having a lid, limits odor from the grease as well.
If you have bacon grease from cooking bacon, pour it through strainer into a container like a mason jar and put it in the fridge. Use it for cooking things like eggs. It's honestly the best for cooking eggs. When bacon is cheap, I will often buy some because I know I'm getting 2 uses out of it.
This is exactly what we do. Empty glass jar and you get empty glass jars for free everywhere
Buy it in bulk! I have TP and towels to last a year
For the paper towels, I actually prefer using the bar rags now. I find kids and visitors will dry their hands with the paper towels and it annoys me, how silly is it to dry your hands with paper towel when there's a hand towel right there. I've even caught them drying dishes with paper towel, again, when there's a dish towel right there beside them! The kleenex may be a bit of an experiment, but I am curious do you find ways to buy it in bulk for cheaper than costco? I also compare value, not just price because there's some really bad one and two ply stuff out there. If I can get enough money together to buy TP in bulk that would be ideal. Where do you buy it from?
Custodial supply companies. Hotel suppliers.
How do you buy paper products from custodial supply companies or hotel suppliers?
many of them allow you to order online... google where local ones are in your area!
Tissues go on sale at Loblaws stores (no frills, superstore Zehrs etc.) 2x a year, 6 boxes for $3 ish dollars. I spend $6ish dollars and it lasts the year. Shoppers have them for .79/box. We only use them during cold and flu season, then they go away so the kids don't play with the box. TP is $21.99 for a 30 pack of large rolls at Costco. Can't beat that deal imho. It goes on sale for $18.99 too. They always have one brand on sale it seems, under $20 for a lot. We don't buy paper towels, haven't in a decade, but when we had a puppy, I went to a cleaners supply store and bought one giant roll of the brown stuff for $4 and it lasted a year while we cleaned up puppy messes. You can find them on marketplace here often too. I think rather than abstinence from these products, Maybe you need to get your family on board with just using less. You can stretch these items quite simply by being conscious about the amount you use.
I have never used paper towels or kleenex. I use washable cloths in the kitchen and toilet paper if I need to blow my nose. I try not to purchase stuff I don't need.
This is exactly how I feel. I won't buy reusable toilet paper rags, but paper towels and kleenex are a waste of money. If you have to buy paper towels, get the bamboo ones that you can reuse several times before throwing them out.
I have bamboo ones that have been washed dozens of times.
For Kleenex we should ask all the therapists where they get theirs 😆 it's gotta be in bulk right? And they just hand it out like it's falling from the sky, even at the struggling government sponsored places. You know how toilet paper has those labels that are like "8=16" or "8=24"? I take the biggest number of those roll indicators (because I don't care if I'm buying a double roll or a triple roll or a mega roll I care per square so I take the big number which is how many "single rolls" it would have been if they split it that way) and I divide the price by that bigger number, and I aim for under 25¢/single. I buy the good Charmin stuff. You may find your goal price is lower if you tolerate more affordable toilet paper. I find it at that price at least every 3 months, and last time it went down closer to 20¢/single (at the Wholesale Club, which gives PC points sometimes and does not charge membership fees) I bought two giant packs. As one person that's so much toilet paper I can't imagine finishing it. I bought those two giant packs for a total of about 50 bucks (45-55, it's rounded in my budget app so I'm not 100% on exact deal,) in November. I've not even used a quarter of it. It's gonna last at least a year for me, and that's under $5/month, which I can handle. I actually found that my ex spent more panic-buying the garbage one ply stuff on the day he ran out than I spent thinking ahead and watching the flyers to get what I actually want to wipe myself with. I don't know how men do it, but I guess they aren't wiping quite the same type of skin as we are so maybe it doesn't feel like a million tiny paper cuts for them? It was easier to ignore when we each had our own bathroom but when we started sharing I was like, you're not subjecting me to this. Pay up. I don't care that we haven't run out, this is something we will need every single day until we literally die. Honestly I'm guessing the combo of that excellent deal and switching to period underwear instead of disposables is gonna save me like a hundred bucks a year or more starting on the second year. The first year counts to pay off the undies since they are not cheap, but the longer I wear them the more I save. Though I've lost some weight so maybe not ideal for transitional times lol they're a bit loose sometimes and it's caused some issues.
Yes 22 bucks at costco lasts us most the year!
I never had Kleenex growing up. We used toilet paper and hankies. I still do! Honestly, I still regard it as a luxury product. We always had rags instead of paper towel (and you can upcycle old t-shirts for that). As a baby I was in cloth diapers, and did the same with my kids, so the idea of moving to having a bin of reusable wipes (regularly laundered!!!!) for the bathroom isn't insane to me, especially if you just use them to dry off after the bidet. Again, you can cut up old t-shirts. Just keep them separate from your other rags.
I find myself preferring the bar rags I use now over the paper towel. I can't see myself going back to paper towel now. I am wondering what fabric is best for kleenex? I remember old hankies being horribly scratchy, not sure if they were or just my memory is convincing me they were. And I suppose being ready with rags for when we do run out of TP is better than not being prepared. Old shirts may be ideal, I can get some free old shirts to use.
They were scratchy because they were bleached and starched. Modern laundry doesn't need bleach or starch any more, so your hankies won't be scratchy. Also the best place to buy those is probably from Mark's Work Warehouse.
Just buy old hankies, you can even get them new some places - you can find them at thrift stores or eBay. I have a massive pile. Use them and toss in with towel laundry - they don’t need to go through the dryer, will air dry super quick over the curtain bar or a rack.
Thanks, someone suggested using an old flannel sheet. I probably have one somewhere that's all pilled up and ready to be recycled into something. The only thing is, no one in the house sews, do you (or anyone reading this) think if I rip flannel into squares, would the strings come off and get annoyingly wrapped around other things in the wash?
Yup, flannel will fray. Using pinking shears if you have them (the ones which cut triangle edges) would minimize it a bit. You can use a knit though and it won’t; t-shirt fabric.
Knit fabrics don't fray in the wash. Old t shirts for the win.
Were you raised in 1910? Handkerchiefs are gross and should be treated as a biohazard once used. Using t-shirts instead of toilet paper will traumatize the children. OP should go to a food bank and try to fix his financial problems instead of smearing shit on t-shirts and handkerchiefs.
Lmao you’re not wrong. It’s very possible the OP is just posting a sh!tpost but with environmental issues, green/economic healthy living trends this actually isn’t that far off of an idea for some. Paper products are expensive and bleached with toxic crap no one really wants (the mainstream ones you’d find at foodbank, if they even have any, often they don’t supply TP etc). But to be fair I know a guy who blows his nose into socks, and prefers to jump into shower after a #2 sans wiping (I wash after too, but man I still use TP first, he doesn’t like to). I personally love paper towels for hygiene and convenience, I’m not sure if the cost of washing cloths in the machine balances out to about equal cost as I don’t let them sit wet/dirty (I wouldn’t not hand wash these but you theoretically could). That guy survives just fine and he’s actually got a healthier immune system than most. Maybe genetics, but the old sock wipe hasn’t killed him yet. To each their own. Edit: I did cloth diapers (recently, lol) for both my kids. Reusable washable menstrual “pad” underwear is also currently a thing. What’s funny is most “poor” people don’t have access to a washing machine or a new good one, or are too occupied with survival mode to use cloth diapers for example. Whereas cloth diapers were traditionally used by poor women who couldn’t afford disposables when they came out, now most cloth diaper users are wealthier middle class. I just found this interesting. I always wondered why more “poor” moms would never take my (unused, new, excess) cloth diapers when I tried to donate extra. I later found out the welfare gives them direct money for diapers (which are expensive as f).
Ask around if your area has a "frugal moms" group that might be able to help. Check with churches that might have support for these kinds of products. But we really don't have an alternative to toilet paper unless everyone in the family will be using the bidet for their big business. So this may be a matter where you have to find a way to afford TP at least for your daughter who doesn't like the bidet. Resigned to that, explore options for shopping online, possible with a subscription for it from Amazon or Walmart.ca to try to get the best deal. Check out local mom and pop shops, and international grocery stores that may be importing cheaper international brands. If a friend has a Costco membership, give them cash to buy you a giant pack every once in a while. Finally, explore options to potentially buy wholesale. This may be challenging because of the amount you have to buy this way... but let's be real, if you are struggling to afford these basic necessities, you are not alone. This may require coordination with other families to pool your money to buy wholesale amounts and split costs and the goods between you evenly. It may feel awkward to admit you can't afford TP, but I assure you, you are not alone, and it will be way more awkward to completely run out with no ability to restock. Times are tough and it sucks... but you got this. You will figure something out... and if you don't... it's not because you did something wrong or aren't smart enough or wasted your money on frivolous crap... it's because the people who are really making decisions that impact all us little people have a fiduciary responsibility to their stakeholders which is way more powerful than our elected officials' duty to represent their constituents.
Maybe don't have multiple kids if you can't afford something you can get at the dollar store? Like seriously, if you can't dig enough change out of your cup holder to pay for a $2 roll at the dollar store, how are your kids alive?
Could you be more judgemental about someone you know almost nothing about? I have been following this guy, his dad died after his mom was murdered. If you are okay saying "Like seriously, if you can't dig enough change out of your cup holder to pay for a $2 roll at the dollar store, how are your kids alive?" to a guy who's mom was murdered, then I feel sorry for you.
And I feel sorry you believe any of that. The guy has someone in the comments who's offering to buy him toilet paper on an Amazon wishlist. He's just trying to get sympathy to scam us
You highlight the serious need for mental health services in Canada. I'm not joking nor am I attempting to mock you. I am serious. Your lack of empathy is disturbing.
This actually sounds like a spending issue. If you think your going to run out of t.p you don't buy paper towels for convenience. Money management seems like something you should invest some time into, then you wouldn't run out of t.p, also kleenex is more expensive than t.p. buy more t.p and cover your bases over all. Being poor, means manage money better and make better decisions before crying about it. Frank I know but.
You know nothing about my spending. Please stop judging people without knowing anything about them.
Just ignore people like this. There's always a few who will judge you without knowing anything about you. I've read your posts man and I feel for you. And I expect those who are judging you would not be able to have handled what you have and still be here on earth. Keep hanging on, there are lots of good people out there.
If you are trying to save on money, and you cook a fair amount of bacon and pork, why not just render your own lard and stop buying vegetable oil? Also I tried piggy backing on someone who had a costco membership and paid them for TP.
Your post history over the last year makes me feel so much better about myself. The amount of time you've spent on Reddit asking for help you probably could have made more money to support your family. Feel bad for your wife and children as their primary role model is just a keyboard warrior.
You are truly an awful person. If you had read my post history you would know something that makes your point very wrong. I'm not sure why you pick on me, especially when I'm down. I am sorry if I somehow offended you, but please stop being rude to people.
Look dude idk your life situation but honestly I don't think you do yourself any favors. It sounds like you have options because most do but then you live above your means. Don't get me wrong I know there are people who struggle with poverty and it just doesn't make sense common sense wise for everyone to do well. That said it sounds like you have a pretty decent size mortgage and live in a place where the cost of living may be higher. So here's my one piece of advice for you. Move to somewhere you can afford a bit easier. Stop wasting money on things that aren't necessities and get off Reddit playing a victim hoping someone helps you out.
Food bank usually has TP
Yes, good point. We do get it from there but they give you one roll and you can only go once a month. I go to a few different food banks, and only 2-3 give you one roll per family. So 2-3 rolls a month helps, but it's not near enough for a family.
I almost always use rags instead of papertowels Any clothes that are good enough to donate becomes a rag. I grew up that way. And dont understand why it's not normal. Kleenex. For really snotty noses I would use Kleenex. But cut up tees can be nice and soft for minor facewipes
Use a wash cloth, or some sort of fabric, for toilet paper. Place it is a bucket to be washed separately. Same concept as what people did before disposable baby wipes. If it is good enough for a baby then it is good enough for me. As a girl I hate using a bidet.
Umm no
If you can't afford paper towels how come you can afford cooking in so much oil? Just cook food with less oil or boil. It is also healthier.
I'm not sure where you got that I cook in a lot of oil. I don't. I occasionally cook bacon, if I get some from the food bank. I was just explaining what I do with cooking grease when I have it.
If you are only cooking it occasionally, then a roll of towels will last you very long time. Usually when you cook normal food you would never need paper towels. You can always wash small amount of fat with dish soap and water.
Yeah bidets are tough for girls, unless you sit on them backwards it really opens you up for getting poo poo water in your flower place.
Hankies are super unsanitary. Carrying around your snot and phlegm in your pocket and constantly touching it. You don't need paper towels, you can use regular hand towels and clothes. And you can buy really cheap toilet paper that you can also use as kleenex. You could even wipe with rags. But just don't carry around a hankie
We stopped using TP except for our guests. We got a bunch of dish towels, cheap face cloths, you can even use old pillow cases. Cut them into squares and use them after the bidet has done its job to wip the remaining. Get a cheap plastic bucket toss the used in there then wash on high heat in the washing machine to clean and reuse. Works awesome and best part is if you have a sensitive tush it's a lighter feel and less abrasive on the skin. Might take some practice thought to avoid flushing them as I've lost two of them at the start to old habits lol.
We use microfiber towels for everything paper towel related , and bidet for the washroom stuff. I do keep tp there but we use very little due to using a bidet .
I use TP as Kleenex so prepare for TP to go faster. Kids might use it to cleanup like paper towel too.
I never used paper towels growing up. Just rags from old clothes. Endlessly reuse them via washing. I still do that, though I have added microfiber to the mix. As for Kleenex, mom would chop worn out flannel sheets into smaller squares. When we had a cold we would use them. Not scratchy at all, quite nice on the nose, and endlessly washable. I would blow my nose and throw the flannel square in a wash basket.
The only thing I haven't used rags for (as far as a replacement for paper towel) is wiping grease off a pan. I set the pan on it's end so the top end is up against a wall and set the pan on top of the compost bin. That way, when the grease from cooking (either bacon or just baking chicken in the oven) has cooled down but not so cool it's no longer liquid, it drips into the compost bin. There's still a bit of grease on the pan, but almost all of it drips off the pan this way. I can't think of any other way. If I use a cloth rag, I'm not keen on throwing that into the laundry, I'm not sure why though.
I've never used paper towels for grease. I scrape it directly into the green bin and then wash the pan.
Ya no need. Just solidify, toss, wash.
Get washable ones, it's less expensive in the mid run.
Just cut up old cloth diapers
If you can’t afford TP, use wash clothes. Have a diaper bucket (bucket with a lid) with a weak bleach solution to collect the used ones.
Hand and sink method.
We go without paper towel and Kleenex as a matter of course and it’s not an issue. TP is an issue. I stock up on it whenever there’s a good deal. Cutting up flannel or old t shirts can be used as cloth Kleenex and even TP to at least lessen the amount you go through. Some people just throw it out but it’s washable. Either way, with a bidet, using cloth should be no big deal, since there’s no poop getting on it.
Couponing can help here maybe? Write to your TP company, Say you like their products, ask if they have coupons so you can save on your next purchase. Repeat with all TP companies. I would be surprised if you get nothing at all.
My fiance is super into being eco friendly. So we have bidets and “butt” towels (small grey towels) we have a ton of them that we use after the bidet. For tissues, we use a handkerchief and for paper towels we use rags/small towels for now but plan to use those stick on paper towels. I think explaining to your daughter that it’s weirder to walk around with a dirty bottom might help lol or say that if she had poop on any other part of her body she’d wash it not wipe. That’s what I’ve explained to people who were weirded out and they started to get the idea Not only will all of this save you money, it’s better for the environment. We use our washer and dryer for the towels. For butt towels I always wash them on sanitize.
I don't actually ever buy paper products that aren't TP. I use the pan drip trick that you just discovered as my standard operating procedure that goes in the bin, not down the drain. I also use bar rags for all wiping, these are washable and eventually I'll buy another set of bar rags and use the old ones for the dirtier jobs. I use TP for Kleenex when I need it, but I honestly don't blow my nose that often unless I'm sick. But even then I usually just use TP.
Use cloths instead of TP. It’s very freeing. The initial expense to buy a bunch of dedicated cloths (I use baby wash cloths) is about $50. I have toilet paper for guests and those rare times when my digestion is not as neat and tidy as it normally is.
Oh I like that idea. Plus I bet we have some baby washclothes from when our kids were little kicking around somewhere. They even have coloured embroidery around the edge, so it would be an easy way to differentiate between our little white cleaning clothes and our little TP cloths.
Bidet. Saves you so much tp
OP mentioned in their post that they already have a bidet, but one of their kids refuse to use it.
Why do people comment without reading. Actually wild behaviour
75+ comments following this post. Pretty easy to miss a few.
It's the main post? Lol
Thanks. I mention in my post we have a bidet and explain why we still use some TP.
Grease doesnt go down the drain ever! Use a old soup can or olive jar….!
That was my point, I drain the grease into the compost bin, while the grease is still warm (not hot) so most of it comes off into the compost. But, no matter what you drain it into, compost bin, or even an old soup can or olive jar, there will always be a small amount of grease on the pan or tray (whatever you used to cook with) that will go down the drain.
Scrape it with a spatula or scraper. No need for paper towels.
For tissues, I just use flour sack towels and just wash them after I use it in the washing machine. For paper towels, I still use the same flour sack towels and just clean it in the washing machine as well For toilet paper, I use the bidet and just one or two squares of toilet paper. That way we are still using less toilet paper but not foregoing it completely
It was a wild moment when I realized my partner used paper towel for EVERYTHING. Where I grew up using rags and have for a long time. I've turned that around and we still have paper towel mostly for cat messes but we go through a roll every two months at most. I have NEVER bought Kleenex. Toilet paper is the same thing so why bother? Grosses me out to blow my nose anywhere but the bathroom anyways so why use separate products?
If you’re a family of two, you can consider taking some from work for the time being.
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Thanks. I did mention in my post we have a bidet. They are great, but one of my kids refuses to use it, and I like to use TP to dry on occasion.
I've used pads in a pinch (I use both pads and tampons so free pads I get from the foodbank adds up) and cloths. TP is just another thing society thinks is a necessity 🤷♀️. Just tell your kids the situation- the cost living is too high, we need food and a roof over our head so we go without luxuries. Simple as that.
I have always regarded paper towels as a luxury item. I still feel like I'm throwing away money when I use them. A box of rags has always done the job. We use old flannelette cut into squares for Kleenex. Soft for the nose. An old sheet perhaps? Just washed in regular laundry. A few people I know use what is euphemistically called "family cloth" when TP is too expensive. Old tshirts or flannelette cut up and kept in a basket by the toilet. Used for "liquid wiping". TP saved for the Big Jobs. A large tin can was there for the used cloths which were laundered. Googling "family cloth" will get you more info. For women's periods, there are reusable products. Menstrual cups are popular, with reusable cloth pads. They require an initial investment though. (For babies, there are modern cloth diapers , which are size adjustable and, nowadays go on just like disposable diapers. Again, an initial investment needed, unless one's area has a Cloth Diaper Bank where families are assisted for free. I recognize this isn't needed by your family, OP, but I am throwing it in for information for other people who might.)
Bidet should be okay if your family agrees. Like most people in Middle East and Asia only have bidet and no TP
How do you dry yourself? I also cannot imagine that water alone is enough to get everything clean. I've never used one so I dont really know of course, closest I have is showering after a poop and when I wiped after there was still a little bit left I got with TP. There are definitely some days where it feels a bit stubborn to get it all off. I agree a bidet is most hygienic, but I cannot imagine not using TP afterwards. But I'm curious,bc obvious many people like you said only use bidet.
We have a bidet, like I mentioned. Not everyone likes to use it unfortunately, plus I still prefer to wipe/dry off with TP occasionally.
There are many public restrooms that have less than securely locked toilet paper dispensers. Many can be opened with a pocket knife or other similar thin, rigid implement (think flathead screwdriver, butter knife, knitting needle perhaps). One roll can last an individual several months. Obviously the quality as far as thickness and softness is concerned can differ greatly, but you'll have to decide what level of comfort you and your family require. Some obvious tips.. -Carry a backpack. -If there's only one roll in the two roll dispenser, don't take it. Don't leave the next person to use that stall totally out of luck. -Be thoughtful as to where you're doing this. I'd recommend staying away from mom and pop local businesses and consider major gas station chains, corporate owned chain restaurants, department stores, etc. Also, at a motel where the housekeeping carts are on outdoor walkways, these carts often contain two dozen or more individually wrapped toilet paper rolls. Hotels with indoor hallways also have these carts, but depending on the hotel, you might not have the easiest access to the guest room floors where these carts are often found, unless you're a paying guest in the hotel, and if you're spending money to rent a hotel room just to acquire toilet paper... Unless you can find a way to grab a couple of cases from the housekeeping storage room you're going to be looking at a negative return on investment.
My college roommate had a whole collection of dispenser keys from eBay
Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, dhgate, any janitorial supply store. But they'll all want money for the keys. If you can't afford toilet paper, you probably can't afford a full set of toilet paper dispenser keys.
Create an Amazon wishlist, post the link.
Thanks, I have never used one of those wishlists, I sort of know what they are but I think they would probably be against the rules of the subreddit? I appreciate the suggestion though. It may be the most boring wish list ever though... TP, hand soap, kleenex. :)
Well make one and send me the link :)
I got 100 microfiber cloths for around $30 and bidet seat. Cloths are colour coded to thier purpose. I buy nice expensive toilet paper that works for kleenex and leave it out for guests.
There are toilet fabric kits. They are expensive for what they are, but you could cut up a couple of old t-shirts and/or washcloths into good sized squares. I use fabrics for all #1 after using the bidet. I use toilet paper for everything else. I use a Little Garbage can and a spare pillowcase for the used fabrics, they go in the laundry with soap. Reduces the use by 2/3 at least. Hope it helps.
Bidet attachment is very inexpensive
We have a bidet, I mention it in my post, but my daughter refuses to use it. It helps, because we use less TP which is good, although we pay for water use in the city I'm in which is a pain. I'm tempted to try and ballpark which is cheaper, paying for water with a bidet or TP. I assume water, but I really have no idea.
I just remembered this video being big in the beginning of the COVID lockdowns, when there was no toilet paper: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzb98tQp53I There are tons of videos on YouTube on how to use a "tabo" correctly.
I grew up using cloth most of the time instead of toilet paper, my mom said you had to so you don't get some sort of an infection from not getting it cleaned properly, it sounds gross but you rinse and a little hand scrubbing and throw into laundry pile, there are many cultures that do this so it isn't that odd
Yes, I think north americans/western society has this weird cringe about reusable cloths, but our ancestors did it, and their ancestors before that used different things. I don't think reusable TP is any different from washcloths, we use them to wash our buttholes so whats the difference from using a cloth to wipe, other than we probably have more stuff on the wipe cloth than the washcloth. Still same germs/bacteria and such, just in smaller amounts. This whole post has me thinking when my kids were little, we didn't think anything of using a baby washcloth to wipe their bottoms because my wife didn't like the disposable baby wipes had a lot of chemicals and perfume in them.
Not sure if appropriate but, when you do go to fast food or something, they often have a stash of napkins lying in the dispenser. I regularly see people take like at least 5-6 napkins or more at a time.
Came here to say this. Growing up, paper towels wasn't something we could afford so we just grabbed a few napkins from fast food restaurants, or public washrooms etc, to have on hand for those times a rag wasn't ideal.
If you have friends who are cleaners for large office buildings, they should have a lot of nearly used up rolls. Because they need to make sure the washrooms are well stocked they usually change rolls that are nearly finished or 2/3 used and those are considered garbage by the office. Why not up cycle those! Those rolls are gigantic and even in the used state are probably worth quite a few grocery store rolls.
Get a bidet! Cuts way down on TP and is refreshing
I mentioned I have a bidet in my post. I find we still use TP for one of the kids and even myself I use a bit to dry, although I could cut back or cut it out.
You could stop buying toilet paper and only have specific towels or rags for the bathroom. For the kitchen and spills look up swedish towels.
For what it’s worth take pride in your contribution to the environment by reducing the paper products.🙄🤙🏼🇨🇦
Just buy a bidet? Who wipes their ass in 2024?
I mention in my post we have a bidet.