9 Emergency Substitutes in case you run out of toilet paper

It may be that you’ve never been unlucky not to have toilet paper available in an emergency situation, whether in the bathroom at home, in a public bathroom or even in the middle of nature. But if it does, don’t panic. First, take a close look around you. If you find a banana peel or an ear of corn nearby, you may well have found “gold”. Or maybe you have a plant with soft leaves—or, if you’re really lucky, some fresh moss.

As the global production of toilet paper consumes around 27 thousand trees daily, here in awesome.club, we know that there are other solutions available, either because of an emergency that can catch anyone off guard, or because some people prefer, let’s say, “greener” solutions. And in this post, we bring these solutions. In the end, we present a bonus with tips to “let go” of the use of toilet paper.

Moss is soft and absorbent. North American tribes used it as diapers, for dressings and for absorbing menstrual fluid. If you happen to be lucky enough to find moss near you, this seems like a promising option when it comes to connecting with nature.

The banana can become your best ally in a situation like this. Not only for its nutritional qualities, but also because it has other uses that can be of great help. Its bark is soft and biodegradable, and can even be used to purify water. Use it if you don’t have toilet paper nearby.

If we are in the countryside, especially near a river, we can look for medium-sized rounded stones. In that moment of despair, just check if the stone is completely smooth and flat. These rocks are pleasant to the touch; so they can be used on all parts of the body, including those that need special care.

In a moment of desperation, you are likely to look for leaves that are not brittle or too soft. Even pine trees that are still on the branch can be very useful. That’s why corn cobs can be a treasure in difficult situations. They even use to make toilet paper at some campsites.

Look in your backpack for a piece of paper where you have written a note or a note, for example. Note that this may lead to you having to make difficult decisions. Maybe you have to “sacrifice” a business card. So beware; write down the phone number of the card first and never flush!

A cardboard roll is always an option. You can unroll it at one end, getting more surface area. In fact, you can even moisten it with water to make it softer. Also, this crumb can be used wisely for composting!

There are some people who adopt this system permanently. But keep in mind that this more “green” approach requires some infrastructure: it is necessary to have a special bucket to deposit the cloths after each use and to wash these buckets very often to avoid bad odors. But of course this kind of idea can also be a solution in emergency situations. Simply cut an old shirt or sheet into pieces and use.

The ancient Romans used this method of hygiene. They shared the sponge with their sauna colleagues and then rinsed it in salt or vinegar water. In the 21st century, the sponge is still an alternative in an emergency situation, however, care must be taken not to share it with anyone and to avoid its reuse, as it can accumulate bacteria.

There are specific cases of women who have recently given birth and, in certain situations, need peri bottles (used for postpartum hygiene). If this is your case and you can’t find this bottle, use a spray bottle of water and some soap. It is a classic combination, which guarantees good hygiene.

The bidet is a piece of furniture in the bathroom, which for many people is nothing more than an extra water source next to the toilet, while for others it is an important part of everyday life. Its most practical and modern version is the hygienic shower, which allows you to wash yourself while comfortably sitting on the toilet. This refreshing solution can get you started on a new lifestyle, making toilet paper a thing of the past.

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a bathroom-related emergency? Have you ever used any of these alternatives to toilet paper?