How did toilet paper become so popular in Western countries? In 1857 when Joseph Gayetty began selling toilet paper, it was sold as a set with aloe and was considered a luxury item. Before toilet paper, people just used cloth or hay that they would wash afterward. In 1867 toilet paper got its first big break when the British Royal Train started carrying it on board. That allowed everyone in England to become more familiar with toilet paper, and demand increased.
By 1879 toilet paper was in high demand, and big businesses like Crane started selling toilet paper in the United States. Now we use over 36 billion rolls of toilet paper a year worldwide. It has become such an ingrained part of our lives that children go through toilet paper training just like toilet training.
Toilet Paper Is Awful For Vaginal Health
So what makes toilet paper so bad? The first problem with toilet paper is that it completely lacks any absorbency. Toilet paper moves things from one place to another when you wipe, so toilet paper does not clean you. Instead, it pushes the bacteria around and has even been shown to increase the bacteria present after wiping. So no matter how many times you wipe, the toilet paper will never be able to remove enough bacteria for your health.
Toilet paper also leaves behind many fibers, and they can stay in your body for days. This causes many problems such as allergies, irritation, and even an increased risk for bacterial infections. In addition, those toilet paper fibers may find their way into your eyes or mouth later on, too, causing other health issues. You see that it can cause irritation, allergies, and it spreads bacteria.
Toilet Paper Does Not Clean You Properly
Toilet paper can also contribute to vaginal health problems like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and UTIs. These are all widespread problems that can cause issues during your period or affect fertility. Toilet paper moves things from one place to another when you wipe, so toilet paper does not clean you and pushes the bacteria around.
The toilet paper industry makes toilet paper very rough deliberately. According to toilet paper manufacturers, people like the way it feels when they wipe. That is why there are all kinds of toilet papers now with extra-rough or triple-perforated edges.
Toilet Paper Leaves Behind Many Fibers In Your Body
There are toilet papers that address some of these issues with toilet paper, but not all. Many alternatives to toilet paper do the same thing without leaving toilet paper fibers behind or causing vaginal health problems. It can stay in your body for days. This causes a lot of problems. It can be hard to use something different from toilet paper, but you will adjust.
So if toilet paper is so bad to use, then what are the alternatives? Let’s go over some now:
Rinse and Reuse Cloth Wipes
This is one of the most straightforward alternatives. Just get a pack of cloth wipes. You can use them with toilet water or other soaps if you like and then throw them in the washer with your clothes. This is a good option if you want toilet paper feel or frequently use soap for personal hygiene. There are also more expensive cloth wipe options that work similarly to toilet paper.
Washable Wipes
These are more toilet paper-like wipes that you can use without toilet water or soap. Many are even flushable, so it is similar to toilet paper but better for your vaginal health. There are many different brands available these days too.
Bidet
This toilet attachment is common in Europe, making toilet paper completely unnecessary. You attach it to your toilet and use the water stream instead of toilet paper. You can use it with soap for extra cleanliness.
Water Spray Bottle
This option uses a similar concept to using toilet water with toilet wipes. You spray your toilet paper down to clean it, and then you throw the toilet paper in the toilet and flush. Using a spray bottle can also be cost-effective if you regularly buy toilet paper.
Squat Toilet
Using a squat toilet is one of the best ways to keep toilet paper out of your toilet and toilet water out of your vagina If you live in a place with old plumbing, though, this may not be an option because squat toilets can clog up more quickly.
Now that you know of some alternatives to toilet paper, you no longer need to use it or worry about using it!
