Last Updated on April 26, 2023 by Lisa Vargas
I wanted to write this post because there are a lot of people still out there without toilet paper. I have to say that I was lucky and got in before the rush. I predicted it coming because when you’re a prepper, you are naturally more aware than most people.
I have enough toilet paper to probably last me about 6 months. But what happens if that supply runs out? What happens if we are all still in this crisis in 6 months and the shelves are still empty?
Well today I want to give you some toilet paper alternatives that you may not have thought about. Several of these are items that were used in the early days before toilet paper was even invented.
Let’s go ahead and dive right in.
Brief History of Toilet Paper
The history of toilet paper is quite interesting and many different cultures used various methods for personal hygiene. Did you know that China invented the first toilet paper back in the 6th century?
The first toilet paper was manufactured on a large scale for that particular use, occurring in what is today Zhejiang province in the 14th century.
Modern toilet paper wasn’t very accessible in the United States until the mid 19th century. Before it was manufactured in the classic 4 ½” rolls we all know and love, toilet paper came in bundles of flat sheets, roughly the size of the box of today’s facial tissues.
1.Paper Towels
Paper towels are one of the obvious go-to alternatives to toilet paper. It may not be as smooth and comforting, but anything is better than going without. You probably have noticed the store shelves still bare even when it comes to the paper towels.
Not only are paper towels good for wiping down and disinfecting surfaces, people have probably started thinking ahead and because toilet paper is gone, paper towels are a really good alternative.
2.Napkins
I couldn’t figure out why all the napkins in the paper aisle were all gone when I went to the grocery store this past weekend. Then it hit me – Another toilet paper alternative!
I wasn’t actually looking for toilet paper, I was looking for paper plates and plastic forks when I noticed the absence of napkins. But hey, people are already thinking ahead and know how miserable it would be to not have anything to properly clean themselves.
Hey, I’m not knocking anyone for watching out for themselves. I just hope the napkins don’t all run out so we can’t clean our hands. I’m half kidding because in reality we are all so spoiled in this country. Napkins definitely aren’t a necessity for cleaning our hands, but could definitely come in handy for cleaning our heinie!
3.Old T-Shirts
When paper products are not an option, you are going to have to start getting a little creative. The next easiest thing, in my opinion, to do is to start cutting up those old t-shirts that you never wear into squares to use as toilet paper.
You can refer to this great little tutorial on how to make reusable toilet paper out of cloth.
4. Bandanas
If you have any old handkerchiefs laying around the house, they are another form of material that can be used and washed, then reused again. They are already in a nice, manageable size, but you can probably make about 6 squares out of one bandana.
5. Toilet Paper Tablets
I’m not sure if you’ve seen these yet, but it’s something I recently discovered and they are fantastic! All you have to do is put a small drop of water on each tablet and they expand into one square.
300 Count Portable Compressed Towel, Toilet Wipes, Coin Tissues For Home, Toilet, Beauty and Outdoors
6. Wet Wipes
Wet wipes make another good alternative to toilet paper. It’s not always a pleasure in the fact that wet wipes are cold and wet, but it sure beats the heck out of the alternative of not having anything!
Surviveware Biodegradable Wet Wipes Large Pack – Rinse Free Shower Wipes for Post Workouts, Camping, Backpacking, Outdoors and Hiking
7. Sanitary Napkins
For all you ladies out there who have sanitary napkins laying around, you may not have thought of them yet as a good source for cleaning your bum. Hey, at this point, if there’s no toilet paper, people are going to start getting desperate.
8. Dish Towels
Dish towels may not be as smooth as an old t-shirt, but hey – it’s cloth, and it will sure work! Like a t-shirt, I would suggest you cut up the towel into squares and then you can wash them and reuse them.
9. Paper
Don’t throw that piece of scratch paper out! Hold on to it, because it may come in handy down the road. You can tear the paper into smaller portions to make it last longer.
10. Banana Leaves
We can’t leave out banana leaves. These large leaves are grown in more tropical regions and have been used for centuries as hygiene items. Believe it or not, you can order these straight off of Amazon.
Fresh Banana Leaves 2 Lbs. Hoja de Platano
- Fresh Banana Leaves 2 Lbs.
- Banana leaves not only look beautiful but also lend a subtle aroma and taste when foods are cooked inside them.
It makes me laugh because the description on Amazon talks about how beautiful they look and how they add a “subtle taste” to foods that are cooked inside of them.
Well, if I had to write a description on Amazon, I would also put a bullet point write below the last one and say….”also good for wiping your butt”!
11. Kleenex
I must admit, I’ve been doing my business and leaned over to get toilet paper and there wasn’t any! Right after I reached behind me and grabbed some Kleenex, which is almost better than toilet paper in my opinion.
12. Plant Leaves
There are several plant varieties that can act as a toilet paper alternative:
Large Leaf Aster
In the Great Lakes Region, there is a wonderful substitute for toilet paper that people have known for years called large leaf aster (Eurybia macrophylla).
Large leaf aster grows on the bottom of the forest like a blanket and has beautiful violet flowers in the summer. The heart-shaped leaves have been used by indigenous cultures as both food and medicine.
So, if you find yourself without any paper products left, depending on what region of the country you live in, this could be an excellent alternative for you.
Wooly Lambs Ear
Similar to the Mullein plant, wooly lambs ear (Stachys byzantina) feels like wiping your heinie with a soft kleenex made of clouds. This plant is edible, has medicinal properties, and is extremely absorbent.
The nice thing about this plan is that it’s typically found in all regions of the United States. If you find yourself hiking and run out of toilet paper, this plant will come in handy.
Mullein leaves
The mullein leaves were used by tough cowboys out on the range for TP because of the soft, large, velvety leaves that helped provide the comforts of what we now know as toilet paper.
Mullein is a biennial plant that grows in almost all regions of the United States. It’s most useful in the springtime and will be a fantastic substitute for cleaning your bum.
You can’t miss this plan because it grows over six feet tall, so you should be able to find some pretty easily.
Bushman’s Friend
Rangiora (Brachyglottis repanda) is often called the ‘bushman’s friend’ due to its usefulness as toilet paper and also for its antiseptic qualities.
Australia and New Zealand are selling out of toilet paper thanks to media hysteria. This is becoming a real problem for obvious reasons but there is a bigger problem arising!
For more awesome plants you can use when you’re out on the trails, or bugging out you can check out this website from Climb Tall Peaks.
13. The Tabo
The tabò (Tagalog pronunciation: is the traditional Filipino hygiene tool primarily for cleansing, bathing, and cleaning the floor of the bathroom.
Filipino’s often use the tabo instead of using toilet paper after using the bathroom in cleaning their buttocks after a bowel movement. However, even if using toilet paper, most Filipinos still feel dirty down there. Regarding toilet paper, the use of toilet paper or toilet paper alone does not completely satisfy their hygienic needs.
14. The Lota
A lota or bodna is a small (usually spherical) water vessel of brass, copper or plastic used in South Asia[1] and the Muslim world.[2] It is designed for holding liquids (primarily water) in it.
A lota with a spout is used for cleaning oneself after urination or definition and this use is primarily associated with Muslims of South Asia i.e. Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, however, similar vessels are used in other Muslim countries too for personal hygiene.
If you look at the formal lota, you can see it’s basically a watering bucket with a spout. You could probably use the same watering can you use to water your plants with if it comes down to it. Anything that can run water over your heinie to clean it would work!
White Lota or Bodna or Toilet Wash Jug
- Approx. 2.25 Litre Capacity, made from tough plastic
- Super light (125 grams), yet very sturdy
15. Wash Cloth
Wash cloth is just another type of cloth you can use as a reusable toilet paper alternative. The material is a little thicket than a t-shirt, but it will get the job done.
16. Newspaper
Since we are in the days of the internet, newspaper seems to have fallen along the wayside. But with that said, if you’re a person who still subscribes to the newspaper, you can use this, although not the most comfortable alternative, as toilet paper if
Technically you could use any kind of paper when you run out of toilet paper such as books, notebook paper, grocery receipts…..get creative! I’m sure that won’t be hard after awhile.
17. Dried Corn on the cob
Yes! You hear me right. Dried corn on the cob actually makes an efficient cleaning mechanism, and is much “softer” than you would imagine it would be.
In rural agrarian communities, handfuls of straw were frequently used, but one of the most popular items to use for clean-up was dried corncobs. They were plentiful and quite efficient at cleaning.
It was not uncommon to see buckets of dried corn on the cob in outhouses in the early days.
Final Thoughts
I know that some of these things on this list seem a bit crazy, but always keep in mind that many other countries don’t even know what toilet paper is. I know right?! It’s hard to imagine. I guess that’s one of the reasons I’m thankful to live in America!
But seriously, when times are tough and there’s nothing left on the shelves, this list might not seem so crazy after all!
Anything else I missed just comment below. I’d love to hear from you all!