This is a bathroom-themed post, so if that’s tmi, here’s your fair warning to mosey along now.
For some time, we’ve been on a mission to reduce the amount of disposable stuff we use. It’s cheaper and far more environmentally sound to go with reusable products, and we’ve found that it’s a lot easier than it seems. Our son has been in homemade cloth diapers since he was born, and I barely even notice the extra loads of laundry. Amy at Crunchy Domestic Goddess has a challenge on her site about ditching disposables – check it out if you’re looking for inspiration.
Anyway, I started thinking… Why not make myself cloth wipes that I can use instead of toilet paper when I pee? I wash diapers all the time – how hard would it be to toss in some little squares of cloth along with the diapers? So I got out my sewing stuff and my recycled fabric. Remember the flannel sheets that I got at a thrift store before our son was born? Those sheets have definitely earned their keep around here. Diapers, a sling, more diapers, and they’re still going strong.
I cut little rectangles of fabric from one of the sheets, about eight inches by four inches. Then I folded them in half and sewed around the open edges, leaving a little space to turn them inside out. Then I stitched up the open space… done and done. It took me about 45 minutes to cut out and sew 20 little squares. Now I have nice soft flannel double-thick squares of fabric, instead of toilet paper. And I’m the only girl in the house, so they’re all mine. I toss them in the diaper pail, and they use no extra resources at all, since I’m running the washing machine anyway, with or without them. By the way, I’m a very well-hydrated girl, so those 20 squares last me two days – I was going through a lot of toilet paper.
(I should note that this is not an original idea. My parents did this when I was a kid, long before “green” was the buzz word of the decade.)
That got me on a roll, and I started thinking again about all the tampons I’ve thrown away over the years. I checked out some of the websites that sell cloth pads, and considered buying some. But then I thought about what an awesome sense of satisfaction I get from making stuff myself. And even though my sewing skills are nothing to brag about, I figured that if I could manage to make diapers, I could make a pad. I read through the directions I found on several websites, and then I sat down to give it a try. I’ve found that with diapers, I prefer pockets and inserts rather than having the soaker layer built into the diaper. So I skipped the extra layer, and just cut out the front and back of the pad (the back is made of two overlapping pieces). Other than that, I followed all the steps listed. Then I made an insert using a layer of flannel from the sheet, a middle layer cut from an old towel, and a backing layer made from an old fleece sweatshirt that I had been using to make diaper liners. The fleece provides some waterproofing, but you can also use wool. I’m thrilled with how well it turned out, given that it’s my first try. Here’s a picture of the pad and the liner:
And a picture of everything all put together, with the wings folded underneath:
I still need to figure out a snap. I’m going into town tomorrow, so I’ll browse around at the craft store and see what they have in the way of snaps. This project took me about 30 minutes, from start to finish. My sewing machine is quite old and before I started making diapers last year, my previous sewing experience was limited to home ec class in 1990. So trust me, if I can do this, anyone can.
Alissa says
Wow, how awesome, Frugal Babe! Once you start using those nice, soft cloth pads there will be no going back. lol. You will have a true appreciation for how much more comfortable your little boy is in his cloth diapers vs. disposables! Too bad you didn’t live closer, you could come over and use my snap press. :) It’s not doing much other than gathering dust these days. For what it’s worth, I did make a couple of pads with just a button and a buttonhole, before I got my snap press. Slightly more fiddly, but you might have some buttons laying around that you could make use of.
Kelly says
Awesome work! I have thought about making cloth pads for a while now. I just haven’t gotten around to doing it. I guess I am afraid of screwing them up, but so what if I did! My mom’s sewing machine has been sitting in my garage for about a year, and now my sister needs to borrow it, but once I get my grubby little hands on it, I am going to work on a couple sewing projects I have had in mind…pads included. And maybe some cloth wipes…who knows. I could easily throw them in with my diapers as well. And could probably use them for #1 and #2, since I already have a diaper sprayer on my toilet…hmmm…wonder if I could convince hubby of this…
SavingDiva says
I’ve been using the keeper since college. It’s a great way to avoid using tampons all of the time. When I’m not at home and have to use public restrooms, I stick with tampons but the keeper is way more comfortable!
Kate says
Good Job Frugal Babe! I’ve been working on getting rid of disposables in my life (and bathroom) too. I actually tried reusable pads, but found them messier than tampons (just like disposable pads- I’m definetely more a tampon girl). So I looked around and found the Diva Cup and it’s reusable kin and am now a huge fan. I don’t think you could make one yourself, but they work great, and no mess.
Mrs. Money says
We use cloth toilet paper too! I am so glad you are on board with it. So many people are freaked out when I tell them!
M- says
Ok, I know this isn’t supposed to be a funny post….. but I am laughing …. Thanks……. =)
leslie says
Hm, are you the one Trent was talking about?
Manda says
Been using the Diva Cup since last year… LOVE IT!! I only use cloth pads at night to supplement the cup. I also cut up an old organic pillow case to replace toilet paper.. I think I’ll still buy a pack of recycled rolls once a year for #2, but hey, once a year is better than four times a year ;) However, I haven’t actually used my new wipe cloths, because I don’t have anything to hold the dirty ones yet. I am determined to find a nice basket with a lid at the thrift store this morning.
Jess says
Great going! Never have heard about or thought about making cloth toilet paper before, but it’s a brilliant idea!
I’ve been using cloth pads for about 10 years now and the keeper for 5 years. They were the best things to ever happen to me! Cloth pads are so much comfier and it’s so liberating only needing to bring a menstrual cup with you on a long vacation. So much less waste and hassle!
kriswithmany says
My biggest problem with the reusable pads? I usually have very heavy flow. Maybe someday I’ll try using the Diva cup. Right now I combine instead with overnight supers for my first day. Ugh.
Reusable wipes? Not sure that I’m ready to go to that much effort. Maybe if we used cloth diapers.
Mrs. Money says
I am giving away a Moon Cup or Keeper on my review blog : http://ultimatemoneyblog.com/reviews/2009/10/win-a-keeper-or-moon-cup-menstrual-cup/ I would be so appreciative if you would spread the word! Thanks. :)
Kaytee says
How timely a post! I’ve been using the Diva Cup for over a year now (love it!), but I am finding that I can’t make it through the night on my heavy days. So far no spillage to the sheets, but definitely some seepage to the thighs (tmi?) I’ve also been contemplating putting a water bottle in the bathroom to hose off before using toilet paper and maybe using less. I’ll have to consider reusable #1 wipes.
Sheri (Green and Crunchy) says
Wow, you did a great job! Your sewing skills really are excellent.
I am a longtime Glad Rag girl — I have a stash of organic cotton Glad Rags that I have used for years and years. They’ve been washed a hundred times and they are soft and comfy. And that pad you made looks JUST LIKE my Glad Rags! You are saving a lot of money by making them yourself, too. Great job!
There are 3 girls in my house — one is in cloth diapers, and the other 2 of us use cloth wipes for pee. We toss them in the diaper pail and wash them with the diapers. Makes no extra laundry.
Good for you for ditching the disposables, and thanks for sharing those links with us (I was already a fan of Alissa’s!) :)
CReddy says
It’s so cool I came across this post! I was just thinking yesterday how pointless it is for me to use TP now that I’m cloth diapering b/c, like you said, it’s not using anymore resources than I’m using now with CDing and would, in fact, recycle some cotton t-shirts I was planning on giving to Goodwill anyway!! Thanks so much for being brave enough to post this. I’ve used the cloth menstrual pads for years; although, I’ve never worked up the courage to tell anyone :P I hope to make my cloth wipes this weekend!