Unless you intend to live in your house without leaving your front door for more than a year, stocking up on TP doesn't make sense. I've done quite a bit of extended backcountry camping, and TP is merely a convenience, not a necessity at all. Regardless of the season, there are so many ways to wipe without using TP. Besides, TP only started being used in the 19th century. We've lived for thousands of years without it. I don't deny that it helps, but at the end of the day, I think it's funny when people have a strong focus on traditional 300-500 year old homesteading, but need to have TP. 🙂

Storing up rags is a good idea. They are washable - we can't afford a disposable society in a SHTF scenario. Also, there are many more practical uses for rags than there are uses for TP.

Cheers!

TP is one of those things I think everyone dismisses but if you end up with say a month long emergency (Quebec ice storm, Katrina...) where supply lines may be interrupted and you may end up with extra company at your house, you'd be grateful to have some stashed and not have to resort to rags. Yes, in a teotwawki situation there will not be enough stored TP to last a lifetime, but having a few dozen rolls put away in the attic or in the garage seems like a good idea. We normally rotate through 4 large Costco size packages of TP and also have about the same in tissues and paper towels... Back ups.

Even with the accustomed TP we use, mainly for speed and convenience, it would likely still be considered barbaric in some oriental culture where they washed after every do. Do you? would you do, if you had more time, and a reasonable supply of warmed rain water, a homemade bidet using a 12v trailer pump? Ah, the luxury! Ya i know, it means you've gotta remove your laced boots, dirty work pants and socks, at least,...and then, hell, you're halfway to bed mode. whatchoo gonna do....

I agree Helicopilot that a months or two worth would be a great idea. After all if it's a temporary thing we just want to wait it out not fuss with rags.
Some preps I don't get like people using borax and laundry soap to make their laundry detergent. If supply lines are affected are they going to have those ingredients any sooner than Tide?

Exactly what villager said.

Unless you intend to live in your house without leaving your front door for more than a year, stocking up on TP doesn't make sense. I've done quite a bit of extended backcountry camping, and TP is merely a convenience, not a necessity at all. Regardless of the season, there are so many ways to wipe without using TP. Besides, TP only started being used in the 19th century. We've lived for thousands of years without it. I don't deny that it helps, but at the end of the day, I think it's funny when people have a strong focus on traditional 300-500 year old homesteading, but need to have TP. 🙂

Storing up rags is a good idea. They are washable - we can't afford a disposable society in a SHTF scenario. Also, there are many more practical uses for rags than there are uses for TP.

To wipe or not to wipe 😆
Storing TP can be considered fire hazard 😀
Rags can be useful for making torch and more.

SHTF may require a scavange-recycle-inventing attitude.
Using pre-fab tools and supplies are good, but at least the plan B is how to deal when all those comfort thingy are gone.

I make the Borax/washing soda mix.... a) it's cheaper B) a little goes a long way c) I control what chemicals I am exposed to.
One full bucket , which, does not take up much room, lasts 3 years and costs $60 -$80 ish. So maybe not for the SHTF situation but for my current life style it is fine.

are you saying we are to wash our butts off with borax and soda instead of TP ?

I have contact allergy to Borax myself , it gives me a red bubble rash. 😳 I'd be swearing " sh*t " alot with that
butt wash solution, in keeping on topic with the situation 😆

I think the borax solution was for laundry, but that still wouldn't work for you if you have such a bad reaction to it. I think the homemade detergent would be good if a bucket lasts that long. And maybe you could stock up on the ingredients and you'd have three more years to find another way to do things.

I added 3-4 mths TP to my supply today.. in my old age.. I buy... good tp not just whatever is cheapest...

When unwanted freeloader "type " company appear in a SHTF ...

Give each a rag and tell them that is their private butt rag to be rinsed in that bucket with disinfectant dettol there.
MIGHT be away to get some of them to move on to the next place.

I had not thought about using rags for butt wipes, I have a huge bag of rags that
I keep thinking I should dump out , I seem to be such a hoarder these days, but now I never will get rid of rags
or old clothes , towels, bedding ... to turn into rags.

In my line of work, outdoor education, we frequently place students into situations where toilet paper is a hastle to dispose of, and it is often preferable to simply do without. There are always grumbles at first, but once people experience the freedom of wiping with what is at hand, washing more frequently and realising what is possible, most prefer the paperless option when in the woods.

Particularly in more arid climate we often use a poo rag. Wipe while still squatting, and hang the rag to dry in the sun and wind. The poop particles dry up, flake off and blow away. The combination of UV and dessication is an excellent sanitiser. And when available, we rinse the rag well away from water supplies. It has worked well, and with proper, and very minimal care, we have not experienced disease transmission or food contamination on trips up to 80 days.

Something else to consider is your body posture when defecating. The closer you are to a squat, the more exposed and protruding your anus becomes, resulting in less residue to wipe away. While often necessary in the woods, it is possible to maintain the same posture at home by placing blocks under your feet on either side of the toilet, or building a u-shaped stool. Excellent source and images here: http://www.greenideareviews.com/2013/01/27/the-squatty-potty-pooping-stool-review-does-it-work/

So experiment more, explore how your body works and you might find that toilet paper becomes less essential.

Position is a good point. I used toilets in Africa that were a small hole with dirt built up a little on the sides to cut down splash. If we are building outhouse we could make it low.

I've got roles in my B.O.B., hunting, & get home packs as well as some with the prepps.
Yep... I know there are other options, but it'll be nice to have while it lasts.
Could have high barter value someday too.
For all your TP needs, stop by Quietman Enterprises, #2 Poo Poo Road, Prepperville. 😯 😳
😆 😆 😆

I gotta agree with you, Quietman. I spent 2 weeks straight in the bush and 1 roll of TP lasted the whole time. I carry a flat roll in my fanny pack hunting and know I can mark trail in the blackest of night (1 square at a time) to backtrack if need be without even a flashlight. Try it before you doubt this!

Now I have had to use sticks and leaves and peat moss from time to time because I didn't have a roll handy. Yet it will indeed be a sad day when I have to resort to that method as a daily routine. We have alot of trappers and isolated reserves here in this region and I can't remember anyone ever stating they don't stock up on TP and opt for rags and such instead(unless they ran out). I live where there's even lots of lakes, and yet I don't fancy opting to rinse crap rags compared to leaving some TP in the bush 🙁 . Mother Nature will clean it up in a couple of rains and I figure she can have that job till the day I do run out 😕

Now the chance of meeting others while trekking in my neck of the woods is slim, but if you do find one of my TP piles, you'll know I'm not far ahead. And you might want to bring it along if your gonna scold me, cause the chance of finding it again (as proof) in my country is slim to none(and I don't make a note of where I crap...really!). Maybe you could instead complain to the local folks here that I had left used TP in the bush, but you'd likely get some real funny comments about them not really given a sh!t, but if they did, they'd leave it in the bush too! 😆