Colored family cloth ok but colored toilet paper isn't?

[Longhairedbeauty]

Hi

I remember reading that dyed toilet paper (paper) is harmful due to the dyes and is no longer used in the US. I have noticed that there is only white toilet paper in stores, not colored, anymore.

I am making the switch to family cloth and am wondering if the colors in the fabrics are the same, and therefore also potentially harmful, as those used in toilet paper. Is it ok to use family cloth that has patterns or solid colors or should we be using plain solid white? Anyone know? I do not know why colored tp is harmful, I just remember hearing that a decade or 2 ago, and sure enough, there is no colored tp in stores here in US (in Europe, I noticed that is not a rule- my grandparents use peach-colored tp). But I don't want any hormone disruptors or anything like that!

Thanks ladies!

[sugareemoma]

Perhaps in the past dyes used in paper toilet paper was harmful. I have seen died toilet paper at many different festivals in the porta potties. They are usually adds printed on white tp!
I think it would depend upon what the fabric was originally used for and died with. I mean, underwear isn't always white and it goes in the same spot right?
So far I have just been using cut up flat dipes and they work pretty well. I am thinking of expanding into colored items to make my own mama cloths, someday when that becomes a necessity again.

[Ruthla]

IME, toilet paper often leaves residue on your body- since it's designed to dissolve in the toilet before it can clog up the pipes, it often starts falling apart when you wipe it against a damp part of your body, and tiny amounts stick to you, where the dyes can be absorbed by the very thin, sensitive skin in that area.

Fabric is a LOT stronger than TP, and holds up when wet. The dyes stay inside the fibers of the fabric- or at least they do after the first few washes anyway. I just can't see the danger of wiping yourself with printed fabric, provided it's not brand spanking new and brightly colored (in which case I'd suggest prewashing it before use.)

I haven't ventured into family cloth, but have no qualms about printed fabric for underwear, mama cloth, baby wipes, or cloth diapers.

[Longhairedbeauty]

Thanks!

Good points- of course all underwear isn't white, and that's touching the same areas.

And yes, toilet paper leaves little bits whereas cloth wouldn't.

Thanks- I'm quick to worry about such small things! Glad I can use anything (well you know what I mean) for family cloth and not stick to boring white

[SophieAnn]

One other major difference with dyed fabrics is that we tend to pre-wash before using to remove residues and excess dye.

If you're reusing material for your family cloth then it has already been washed multiple times, whereas the dyed tp would be freshly dyed and not washed afterwards.

If you're using new material for your family cloth, wash and machine dry to remove residues/excess dye and also to pre-shrink before cutting.

[Tangled Hill]

Originally Posted by sugareemoma

I have seen died toilet paper at many different festivals in the porta potties. They are usually adds printed on white tp!

Oh, wow! I had no idea! I can't imagine a business owner thinking to herself, "I need to advertise more. But where? How? Oh, I know - toilet paper!"