Family Cloth...what nobody ever told you - Page 22

[LunaLady]

And perhaps I will start a new FC pictures thread! 

[Arianwen1174]

I'm glad you mentioned not using peppermint Dr. Bronner's. That's what I have here and wasn't even thinking about the brisk sensation it might create.

[LunaLady]

Originally Posted by Arianwen1174 

I'm glad you mentioned not using peppermint Dr. Bronner's. That's what I have here and wasn't even thinking about the brisk sensation it might create.

I'm not CERTAIN the EO concentration would be enough to cause any ... discomfort ... but just to err on the side of caution!! 

[Arianwen1174]

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

I'm not CERTAIN the EO concentration would be enough to cause any ... discomfort ... but just to err on the side of caution!! 

I think I'll start with a very small amount in my spray bottle.

[LunaLady]

Sounds good 

[Kbugs mommy]

I soak stained things in bac out or some other enzyme (usually borax or laundry pre treat by Enzyme Fresh Home) for a few min, then wash in cold and check before drying. I wash my diapers, pads, and FC in salt, baking soda, and vinegar after soaking in bac out over night or just a few hours. they look better then ever! Even old set in stains are slowly coming out. The sun does the trick also...
 

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

So we've been using cloth for several days now and I think we're starting to get used to it. I like using cloth - I feel a lot cleaner. DH has been on board since I first brought it up to him (bless him) but he said he's still having a bit of an adjustment and said he's used TP a couple times. I said that's fine - and that it's fine if he wants to use TP because I'm really the one who uses it the most! 

I did the first washing of FC yesterday and it seemed to go well! I wasn't sure how I wanted to do it - so I just washed them with some of our 'clean up' towels (not kitchen towels, but towels for cleaning and messes) in a small load. I did the 'extra small' load in my top loader and WOW it still filled the drum almost half way full... It was way too much water for my load. Our water bill has been outrageous since we moved into this house last year (despite the fact that DH and I shower only once or twice a week and only flush with #2 and strictly do dishwasher washing...) and I have an inkling it's the washer. It's an OOOOLLLLLDDD washer - original to the house (1977). The washer and dry work REALLY well (both being original) but I suppose they are not very environmentally friendly or easy on the bank account. Poo. DH really wants to get a new washer/dryer anyway. 

ANYHOW. I used soap nuts, borax, bleach, vinegar and baking soda in that load. Maybe overkill? DH was like, "You put all those together? Hopefully you didn't create some chemistry experiment that will be spewing noxious fumes into the basement!"  I suppose he's right, eh??

I think next time I'll just do borax and vinegar. I shouldn't even really be using bleach, eh? It's pretty toxic... How do people keep their whites white without bleach? I use like ZERO household chemicals except for bleach. I just don't know what else to use?! DH's socks won't get clean looking without it?

[neonalee]

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

Hello!!! I found this thread yesterday and it was just the push I needed to get us started on FC.

I had a flannel fitted massage table sheet that had a hole in it, so I used that and cut up some 6"x12" rectangles and surged all the edges. They are VERY soft and have been washed many, many times already so I know they won't leave lint behind. I have a cute basket to use in our bathroom and for the guest bathroom I'm going to keep everything under the sink. I'll keep regular TP in the guest bathroom. Not only would I get weird looks, but I don't really want to wash my guest's poopy wipes! 

We bought from Fred Meyer (west coast chain) two of these SimpleHuman foot pedal trash bins for our soiled wipes. What I REALLY like about them is they have a removable plastic can within the trash can itself - and it's small enough it can fit in my dishwasher so I can sanitize it now and again.

Today I've tasked myself with sewing up some cloth liners for the bins that I can toss in the wash with the wipes. 

And I really like the spray bottle idea (rather than having all the wipes sitting in liquid) so I need to go to the store and pick up a couple of those, too.

I haven't read the whole thread... but does anyone wash these with Soap Nuts? I use Soap Nuts for all my normal washing, but I don't have cloth diapers to wash (yet! Baby is due in November) and I haven't come up with how I'll be washing those, either. I do have borax on hand that I toss in with really dirty stuff (DH's hockey clothes, yard clothes, wash rags used to clean up pet yucks, etc) so I will likely use that, too. My wipes are white (as are most of my cloth diapers) so I could use bleach - does anyone do that? Or just wash on hot?

I have a small simple human can as well, putting the liner in the dishwasher never occurred to me, thanks!  I found that the Mommys Touch large wet bags fit well enough so thats what I use in the downstairs bathroom.  In the master bath I just hang the bag from the doorknob, zipped mostly closed but open enough to drop in the wipe.  Maybe I'll get a hook for it one day,  I did drop the cloth in the toilet once so far.  Now I  make sure to pay more attention to what I'm doing.  I'm also less likely to do that if I stand up as I'm finishing... I have no idea why.  I washed the first time with my regular laundry & the whole foods laundry detergent I use, but usually I will wash with my diapers.  I think that's 7th gen laundry detergent.  Still not ready to use for anything other than pee though!

[naomiandtom]

I've been using cloth wipes for a couple of years, for both #1 and #2. I have white ones for #1 and dark ones for #2. I have a sink right in front of the toilet (very small bathroom), so I can use a wipe then rinse it for a second or third or fourth swipe, and then when all done toss it, mostly cleaned off, into my special container. I found an old ice bucket at Goodwill in a pretty teal color. I place just enough activated charcoal to cover the bottom, then I insert a plastic grocery bag into the container and then the cover. I've been using the same charcoal for months and months and NEVER have any odor. It's very simple to just remove the grocery bag and dump contents into washer, and place another bag into the container. Guess this doesn't work for those who won't use plastic bags, but at least my bags are getting a second use before going into the trash.

Back in the days of my cloth diapering (back in my day EVERYone used cloth) we used to dip soiled diapers in the toilet water several times to rinse off the poop, then flush poop down the toilet, putting dirty diaper in diaper pail. Not much difference in using my cloth wipes. I've been using mine long enough that some are beginning to wear out and I'm in process of making more. I like to use double layers of t-shirt fabric that have been stitched all around with a locked stitch. I also look for flannel or other very soft pj bottoms at thrift stores and can get quite a few wipes from those. I'm really enjoying reading this thread; it seems pretty common that the guys just dont want to use the wipes. I think someone above got it about right, they don't like the idea of someone else looking at their soiled cloths, as if we're going to be examining them!

[wrenb]

The other day, in a public bathroom, I had a brilliant idea. Keep a little family cloth in a diminutive wet bag in my purse for occasions when the toilet paper has run out. I'm going to start as soon as I find a zippered wet bag small enough (I think the Planet Wise wipes ones might do, or perhaps just a change purse).

[rducky]

Originally Posted by wrenb 

The other day, in a public bathroom, I had a brilliant idea. Keep a little family cloth in a diminutive wet bag in my purse for occasions when the toilet paper has run out. I'm going to start as soon as I find a zippered wet bag small enough (I think the Planet Wise wipes ones might do, or perhaps just a change purse).

I have one like these that I use for my baby's cloth wipes. I really like it, it never leaks. It would probably be the right size.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82359780/x-small-65-x-65-wet-bag-reusable-snack

[theuncagedbird]

There are hand held bidet systems that you attach to the, oh what is it called? the pipes at the bottom, back of your toilet...a very easy install, and then the sprayer goes on a hook you install on the wall. The water these provide is cold, VERY cold in the winter, but even at its coldest, it's still bearable. I bought my hand held bidet on eBay for about $30. .

I don't have the problem most of you have with stained, dirty, poopy cloths. After spending time in India, after running out of the TP I brought with me, I was forced to use their system. Every bathroom I used there had a water spigot with a cup hanging from it. You get a cup of water which you use, along with your left hand to get your bum totally clean. They then wash their hands (though not all little children do so properly) with soap and water. Now, I was not crazy about this at first, but it only took one time to get over the whole "using my hand to wash my bum" thing.

At home, however, I decided that leaving a liquid soap pump next to the toilet was just the thing. I rinse with the hand held sprayer, then put a dab of the soap on my fingers before doing the hand washing part, using my left hand to clean myself and my right to spray the water...very soothing. The soap allows all feces to wash off of both bum and hand. I then use one of my family cloths to dry off. Really, it's very clean...and I'm a definite germaphobe, so if this is something I can do, then it's a clean thing.

Most Americans would scoff at this idea (and even some would make racist comments about the cultures that do use their hand to wash after using the toilet), but I find that using the soap really makes this a perfectly acceptable thing for me, and washing the used cloths can then be done in cold water, using regular laundry detergent and a little bleach.

Hey, and if you still can't get around the idea of using your hand, those bidet systems are also called diaper washers, so you could just rinse yourself, use your cloth and then, if it's poopy, rinse it off before putting it into a container. Just a thought. LOVE my "bidet".

Great forum, btw. I found this while Googling if the First Family uses cloths. Shortly after the Obamas were in the White House, I remember reading an article saying that the Obamas use them and were encouraging Americans to follow their example. At the same time, the Republican Party put out some articles suggesting that Obama was going to make toilet paper illegal. SO silly.

[Toolip]

I LOVE my bidet too. I think it cost me $40 and it's cool but honestly I find it refreshing, and I don't even mean "refreshing"... it's really nice! And amazing to feel clean. I just use cloth to dry and maybe 1 out of 100 times there's a little mark on it, but generally not at all. I don't really see any reason to use my hand because just the spray seems to do, but I can see why some cultures do!

And that is crazy about the Obamas. I can't really believe it's true. But I sure would like to think so! The concept of using cloth TP is pretty radical (ranging from shock to disgust) even in my little hippy bubble!! Although I have converted a few people who I would not have expected!

[mousiemomma]

mama rabbit-maybe you could try filling a large bucket with hot water from the shower and hand washing the cloths with some detergent first then dumping the bucket into the washing machine for another cycle on cold?

[LplusLequalsA]

Just joined MDC so I could join in on this thread! I just started using cloth wipes a few days ago and I was just wondering if anyone takes their wipes with them when they go places? Or do you just use regular TP when you are out and about? Every time I've gone somewhere and needed to pee I've held it so I could go home and use my wipes lol.

[Arianwen1174]

Originally Posted by LplusLequalsA 

Just joined MDC so I could join in on this thread! I just started using cloth wipes a few days ago and I was just wondering if anyone takes their wipes with them when they go places? Or do you just use regular TP when you are out and about? Every time I've gone somewhere and needed to pee I've held it so I could go home and use my wipes lol.

There have been a couple times when we've gone on beach trips with DH's parents and I've taken wipes. I haven't taken any when I'm just running around but I think about it. And often wish I had them! I haven't been willing to buy a couple little wet bags to take along with me.

[Brendalee]

Sadly, I'm still in the same place, so I haven't been able to start FCing full-time - although I have a sneaky system I use for pee so far. Heh. BUT - now that I'm pregnant, I *HAVE* to move out, so yay! Exciting! Baby & I get to use cloth wipes together! hahaha. ;) I've actually just been picking up washcloths on the cheap as I come across them, but some of them seem to take MANY washings to delint! My roommate's mom brought over some new navy blue washcloths, and those things have been washed at least 3 times and STILL run blue! Don't like that (so I don't use 'em anymore)! Regarding using FC on the go - this is something I've started doing, just because I really hate how cheap toilet paper shreds; I feel like I spend more time picking off bits of paper than I did actually going pee & wiping! Even trying to just pat dry, many times the TP available in public restrooms sticks/shreds. *shudder* So far I've just been using a 'freezer style' ziplock bag & rinsing it out when I get home & it hasn't smelled yet. :)