When the TP Finally Runs Out
Back on the Toilet Paper chapter of the "Poo Paradigm".

Most Americans, the survival minded not with standing, have a problem with excrement. They just want it to go away. Under most even short term SHTF situations (if you will pardon the pun), it is something that simply must be dealt with. Remember, countless generations have survived quite well without Toilet Paper, so can we.

It is when the TP runs out, not if the TP runs out because it will run out. No matter how much you stock, the day will come when the TP will run out. In an emergency situation, anxiety, poor hygiene & water quality along with an unfamiliar and poor diet, may require several times as much TP as normal. Even with the rolls, if not sheets, being rationed per person per toilet use, it will go quickly. This being so, I would consider TP as a comfort item, which will help your transient into a long term post SHTF reality.

When the TP runs out, you have several options:
1. Out House 101: Use paper towels, news paper, and catalog pages (crinkled & softened).
a. Anything compostable that can be softened might be considerable.
b. Carefully research your list of potty leave candidates so you don't have any nasty surprises and do watch for those "irritating hairs" bearers (like Mullen).
c. Never flush ordinary paper if you are using a septic or other conventional system, just bag then burn or bury it (We do that with TP now).
2. The Roman way: The Romans used personal natural sponges which they kept soaking in salt brine. They were easily recleaned for using again. Being natural, the sponges were hollow and were usually attached to wooden handles.
3. The Middle Ages Europeans favored a personal hygiene cloth which was otherwise treated similarly to the Roman sponges except vinegar was often used for soaking.
a. Before you have a hissy fit, consider that many, many generations of mothers have survived using and rinsing cloth dippers, this is little different.
4. Join the Arabs: There is a reason that they only eat with their right hand!
a. Hopefully, you will have something better than dry sand to scrub your hands with.
5. Enter the Bidet: The Bidet delivers a soothing spray of water that thoroughly cleanses the posterior area and/or the frontal area, sort of like a localized shower!
a. There are different types but I have been experimenting with one that attaches with a hose from my shower.
b. I have not used TP in several years and have found a low pressure spray (to simulate a gravity feed) of 2 or 4 inch works fine for me. In fact, now scraping with a hand held piece of paper seems crude.
c. Find a suitable, portable spray unit for mobile use as you can't just hang it in the outhouse during January in my neck of the woods.

Consider:
Toilet paper, most especially expedient TP, may also introduce bacteria or leave a residue; news paper and, even more so, leaves hairs can be real game Russian roulette. Washing with clean water is natural, refreshing and just better, IMO.
1. The soothing water benefits:
a. Bidet use before a bowel movement relaxes the sphincter muscle and lubricates the anus, thus making the bowel movement more comfortable.
b. Hemorrhoid sufferers wiping with dry toilet paper or wipes not only irritates the hemorrhoids, but also can cause pain and discomfort.
c. This includes sensitive due to common diarrhea or something as serious as a post- birth or operative condition.
2. Personal Hygiene would be dramatically improved along with minimizing irritation.
a. A Bidet can simply and gently does a better job removing waste and paper residues that can cause or aggravate a sensitive condition.
b. With feminine hygiene, the fresh water wash offers a higher level of freshness and external hygiene for menstruating women.

I like it.

Thanks 230gr .It was a sh!++y job but somebody had to do it.Matt

Good points. Obviously I'll have to remain in good health to minimise the use of my stash.

I will not run out...I will not run out...I will not run out....

got another 6x4 space to fill....if I vacuum pack it, maybe i can get more in there....