Toilet Paper Could Be Irrelevant Soon—Here's It's Replacement

It's difficult to imagine an existence without toilet paper, but it's possible that in the future, going toilet paperless could be a real option. So, why would humans move away from toilet paper? According to Think Stewartville, "Environmental concerns, health implications, and cultural preferences are driving this change toward more sustainable alternatives."

According to Cottonelle, the average person uses the toilet five times a day, but anything from four to ten times is considered "normal." Also, the average person uses about seven sheets of toilet paper per wipe, "6.41 sheets per toileting occasion for women, and 8.1 sheets per occasion for men," Cotonelle states. Also, the average American adult uses around one roll of toilet paper every week and 50 rolls in a year.

So, what could replace toilet paper? There are a few options, and some of them have been around for a long time.

According to Think Stewartville, bidets are the most established and common toilet paper alternative, and they date back centuries. "These standalone fixtures use precisely directed water streams for cleaning, eliminating the need for paper products entirely," Think Stewartville states. The Cambridge Dictionary describes a bidet as a "small, low bath in which a person washes the lower part of their body."

If bidets don't sound too appealing, there are other toilet paper alternatives that are gaining popularity, too. One is reusable cloth toilet paper, which offers an environmentally-friendly alternative. "Typically crafted from organic cotton or bamboo fibers, these washable squares provide a soft, effective cleaning option," Think Stewartville states. On top of being better for the environment, reusable cloth toilet paper could also cut down on household costs.

One criticism of reusable cloth toilet paper is the concern that it's not hygienic. Heathline says that to properly clean clothing toilet paper, wash it "in a hot-water laundry cycle that's at least 160°F (71°C) for at least 25 minutes, or a sanitize setting if you have one." Healthline also adds that a downside of clothing toilet paper is that, "it can retain stains that make the cloths appear undesirable to use."

Related: Toilet Paper Replacement Gains Popularity Amid Shortage Worries