No Toilet Paper

It’s not a secret that in 2023, a certain number of things in stores are in great demand these days, and survival gear is no exception. And the most important item of them all is toilet paper. This is an extraordinary thing that is necessary for all people, no matter your financial situation, interests, and what you eat for lunch. Everyone at least once in their life had such a situation when toilet paper ran out at the most unfavorable moment. And just for this case, you need to have a plan B.

It could end for a billion reasons. Of course, this problem is much easier to solve when you are at home. But what if you’re on a hike? Or you’re a disaster survivor? A real prepper must be ready for any outcome. Hence, our article will help you find answers to pressing questions and give you a couple of ideas and skills on how not to get screwed up due to the toilet paper shortage.

Most Popular Solutions

1. Napkins and wet wipes

The safest method to replace toilet paper is with baby wipes and paper handkerchiefs. The advantages of wet wipes are that they cleanse more gently and effectively. Paper tissues and napkins are soft and delicate, which means they are the closest alternative to a regular toilet paper roll. The only disadvantage that may arise is that such paper pieces will be needed twice as much as traditional ones because usually, such papers are fragile.

2. Paper

The first thing that works perfectly as a solution is to take any paper: sheets of notebooks, printer paper, and paper towels are excellent. Newspapers, phone books, and magazines are also good alternatives, but why you shouldn’t use them? With books, the answer is simple because it’s a pity to spoil good educational material. But as with newspapers, the situation is the same; words and pictures issued by a printing house can leave a mark on you. Therefore, it is best to take blank sheets.

Remember, it’s recommended not to flush down paper wipes; instead, you need to use the trash can.

Advanced Options

1. Sponge

In ancient times people used special sticks with an attached wet sponge soaked in vinegar or salt water instead of toilet paper. This is very unhygienic these days because now we know that these methods of using sponges pick a lot of bacteria quickly, which increases the risk of contracting infections. But if you nevertheless decide to test this method for yourself and experience part of the history in practice, then it would be best to soak such a sponge in boiling water or diluted bleach; otherwise, at least thoroughly wash it before using it again.

2. Rocks

Other options are quite suitable for more desperate people. Though even now, some people without toilet paper use rocks as a cleaning method. But it’s important to use smooth rocks and stones not to damage sensitive skin. This method is called the “scrape method,” but you must rinse the stone in water first and then use it. For example, in the past, there were always jugs and stones in Muslim showers and toilets, but now in most countries, a special hose connected to the water supply or bidet is used, so rocks are the last resort.

For a better experience of prepping the survival backpack and to get more knowledgeable in general, please, feel free to check out the article about planning your survival strategy.

3. Water

A fairly budget and common method is to go to the shower or take a bath immediately after finishing your business. Another way to wash is to use running water, bidet, or prepared warm water in the bottle (check out the water bottle, spray bottle, and peri bottle ideas on Amazon).

Water source itself is a natural method of getting clean, washing, and laundry. Toilet tissue is good to have, but having a toilet paper shortage shouldn’t be the cause for concern. It’s possible to live without toilet paper; people from many countries still do. Using water not only helps to wash a biologically important area of the body but also prevents the risk of infections when you see cardboard toilet paper rolls instead of toilet paper itself. To make your cleaning process more efficient, it’s best to be supplied with antibacterial soap that kills bacteria and gently cleanses sensitive skin.

4. Cloth and fabrics

Using reusable cloth toilet paper is certainly a great idea! The “family cloth” method is prevalent among people who care about the environment and try to throw away as little as possible. They use no toilet paper and replace the traditional toilet paper roll with a sponge or piece of soft fabric.

To be fully honest, cloth may not be as convenient in public toilets where they have enough toilet paper. But if you’re not in the public bathroom, it is a nice option that is also very eco-friendly. You can use your old cotton flannel as cloth diapers or special drip-dry fabrics. To cut into pieces, you’ll need to have special scissors (or dressmaking pinking shears) to make them stay whole without fraying.

Please, note that using cloth as toilet paper requires special hygiene procedures, which means you can’t just wash it with towels or any other laundry items, especially if you have septic systems. As is with batteries storage, it’s best to store toilet paper made of cloth in a separate stack and use each of them once.

Read our article where we listed all of the simple survival things you need to have when packing the bag-out bag.

Outdoors Ideas

Plant leaves are the primeval counterparts of modern toilet paper, and it is essential to be able to distinguish between safe and poisonous plants. If you decide to spend some time surviving outdoors and wondered how to save space in your backpack and at the same time not feel discomfort after you’re done, our following list of plants that are most suitable for such purposes will help you.

1. Maple Leaves

All of the Maple tree types are good. But there are two specific ones, Broadleaf and Sugar maple trees. The leaves are big enough for any adult to use while having no toilet paper on hand. It’s also important to notice that Maple leaves are easy to collect because Maple trees have a leaf abundance; you maybe would need to help it a little bit by shaking. Other types of maples are a nice option, too, especially when there are no other alternatives and you need to get things done urgently. But the size of vine maples, for example, is quite annoying.

2. Corn Husks

A long time ago, corn cobs were the main food source, so corn husks were largely used as toilet paper amongst the pioneers. The leaves are the ideal shape and size for this use and can be dried and stored in winter for both indoor and outdoor use. And if you notice that husks became too harsh to wipe with, you can easily soak them in water for a better experience. At this point, it’s fair to say that corn is almost a zero-waste product.

3. Cottonwood Leaves

The Cottonwood leaves are simple, oval in shape with a pointed tip, and mostly smooth. Those leaves are a great toilet paper alternative. They also work nicely as a bandage element because Cottonwood leaves have a painkilling and healing effect. The bonus point is the strength of such leaves, which is undoubtedly convenient when the case has a serious outcome.

4. Large Leaved Aster

This special plant has a different name. This is the best option to wipe with if you have a toilet paper shortage, which is why many Canadians and the eastern United States refer to it as “lumberjack toilet paper.” This sort of Asters has large, smooth leaves, and you can use them without causing irritation or other unpleasant effects.

5. Mullein Leaves

Using this plant as the replacement for toilet paper is quite common. Mullein usually grows in arid regions. All the leaves of such a plant are densely covered with a long silvery fluff, so experienced travelers recommend get washed with a little water if any skin irritation occurs.

6. Hazelnut Leaves

Though Hazelnut leaves are rather small, they work the same way as any other plant’s leaves. They’re great to wipe with when you’re outdoors without toilet paper. But it’s not that great for people with more sensitive skin as the Hazelnut leaves are fluffy.

7. Thimbleberry Leaves

Beautiful plants like Thimbleberry can be found almost anywhere in humid places of North American mountain landscapes. So if you’re heading to a similar location, the large leaves of Thimbleberry will help you out a lot. Distinctive features: Thimbleberry plants are quite tall, the stems are covered with fluff but do not have thorns, beautiful white flowers usually grow in clusters of four to eight pieces.

NB: Thimbleberry leaves are very easy to confuse with similar Devil’s Club ones. Moreover, Devil’s Club grows in the same place where Thimbleberry, so the likelihood of confusion increases with this fact. The good thing is, they are not poisonous. However, their stems and leaves are covered with sharp thorns, and it is highly discouraged to use this plant as an alternative to toilet paper.

8. Lettuce

Having a garden makes it much easier for you to find an alternative to regular toilet paper. For example, when lettuce becomes unsuitable for consumption, it can be used as toilet paper. But as with any other plant, you need to be careful with ones that grow in your garden and look for those with smooth and soft leaves.

So using plant leaves as a substitute for toilet paper is very eco-friendly and wouldn’t cost a penny. Of course, the experience is not the same as with a bidet or normal toilets, but still, leaves are good cleaning material. But before using any plant to wipe yourself, we highly recommend you to gain experience in the ability to distinguish good from evil between different types of wild plants in practice. Please, make sure you know how poison sumac, poison ivy, and poison oak look like. Those plants and trees are a №1 danger you want to avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What do you do if you have no toilet paper?

Honestly, there are plenty of alternatives to toilet paper. You can easily use the cloth and reuse it as much as you want (but remember that you don’t want to flush the fabric to keep the tubing in good condition), or you can use a bidet to clean up the mess (ideally with soap or any detergent). If you find yourself in the wilderness without toilet paper, it is best to have a spray bottle or any other regular bottle filled with non-toxic water so that washing is safe. You can find more ideas by reading the full article above.

How much toilet paper should I store?

First, you need to determine for what purpose you use toilet paper (yes, it can be used not only for its intended purpose), how many people in your family, and how often you use the bathroom. It’s better to have a spare cheap toilet paper roll or wipes (baby wipes are the best, you can easily find them in any baby supply aisle or drug store). But the more, the better, right?

What is the best way to store toilet paper?

Moving away from the topic, there is no doubt that toilet paper is in every house. You can store it everywhere, and the main thing is that it should always be easy to reach. You can store all the toilet paper rolls in a storeroom, a bathroom cabinet, on a shelf, in ornamental baskets, or even on a toilet tank. It all depends on the size of your bathroom and your preferences. It often happens that elegant shelves with neatly folded toilet paper rolls are part of the bathroom decoration.