How to Survive Without Toilet Paper
How to Survive Without Toilet Paper
By SnoMan on 24 August 2010in Health and Wellness
Your survival plan should include a huge stock of toilet paper. Nonetheless, if you were faced with a long term situation in which the stock was used up, it would be good to know about toilet paper substitutes. The problem is very basic. Personal hygiene is a high priority in survival situations; it’s good for both health and morale. Toilet paper is very convenient, but emergency preparation has to account for the likelihood that you’ll find yourself in a situation without it. Disposable wipes don’t count — they too will run out eventually. What we’re looking for is a permanent toilet paper substitute, and there is one that has worked during the entire history of man. Water Once again, an abundant water supply proves itself to be the basic survival resource. See Emergency Water Supply. If you have plenty of water, install a bidet next to your toilet, and simply wash. You can also install toilet/bidet combinations, although most are absurdly expensive. One promising option is the Olympia Shower Bidet, which is a $70 addon shower head that hooks into the toilet tank water supply line. The downside: it’s cold water only. You can extend this principle to more rustic living conditions. Whether your bugout location is a cave, a tent, or a cabin, run a water supply to the privy or carry a bucket of water with you into the woods. Variation: Use a cloth. After use, rinse it in water, wash in a bleach or vinegar solution, then rinse again and hang to dry. Vegetation There are several plants whose leaves make suitable wipes, but only in the growing season. A leaf makes a good wipe if it is soft, strong, and absorbent. Mullein and Lamb’s Ear come to mind.
Young Mullein plant. The mature plant has a tall spike with small flowers, usually yellow.
Lamb's ear plant.
Caution: Some individuals may be irritated by the small hairs on
By SnoMan on 24 August 2010in Health and Wellness
Your survival plan should include a huge stock of toilet paper. Nonetheless, if you were faced with a long term situation in which the stock was used up, it would be good to know about toilet paper substitutes. The problem is very basic. Personal hygiene is a high priority in survival situations; it’s good for both health and morale. Toilet paper is very convenient, but emergency preparation has to account for the likelihood that you’ll find yourself in a situation without it. Disposable wipes don’t count — they too will run out eventually. What we’re looking for is a permanent toilet paper substitute, and there is one that has worked during the entire history of man. Water Once again, an abundant water supply proves itself to be the basic survival resource. See Emergency Water Supply. If you have plenty of water, install a bidet next to your toilet, and simply wash. You can also install toilet/bidet combinations, although most are absurdly expensive. One promising option is the Olympia Shower Bidet, which is a $70 addon shower head that hooks into the toilet tank water supply line. The downside: it’s cold water only. You can extend this principle to more rustic living conditions. Whether your bugout location is a cave, a tent, or a cabin, run a water supply to the privy or carry a bucket of water with you into the woods. Variation: Use a cloth. After use, rinse it in water, wash in a bleach or vinegar solution, then rinse again and hang to dry. Vegetation There are several plants whose leaves make suitable wipes, but only in the growing season. A leaf makes a good wipe if it is soft, strong, and absorbent. Mullein and Lamb’s Ear come to mind.
Young Mullein plant. The mature plant has a tall spike with small flowers, usually yellow.
Lamb's ear plant.
Caution: Some individuals may be irritated by the small hairs on