Toilet paper is about to disappear: find out what will replace it
We use it every day without thinking about it. However, toilet paper is far from ideal: it’s unhygienic, polluting, and expensive. As attitudes evolve, other, more modern and environmentally friendly solutions are emerging. Between wipes, water jets, and other innovations, it seems that a major change is coming.
Toilet Paper: A False Necessity?
For decades, toilet paper has reigned supreme in our bathrooms. However, this apparent comfort hides many drawbacks.
Poor hygiene: Contrary to what one might think, wiping with dry paper isn’t always enough to ensure optimal cleanliness. It can even cause irritation and infection, especially on sensitive skin.
Worrying environmental impact: Millions of trees are cut down each year to produce toilet paper, not to mention the liters of water required for its production. On average, producing one roll uses approximately 140 liters of water! Considerable budget: High-quality papers are expensive, and economical versions are often impractical. A recurring expense that adds up over the year can be costly.
So what alternatives do we have for more effective and environmentally friendly cleaning?
Alternatives for more effective and environmentally friendly cleaning
1. Wet wipes: a false good idea?
Long reserved for babies, wet wipes are now appealing to adults. Softer and more refreshing than paper, they provide a feeling of increased functionality. Some are even enriched with antibacterial agents.
The problem? Their impact on the environment. Even biodegradable models dissolve much more slowly than paper, and flushing them down the toilet can clog drains.
An alternative? Choose washable cloth wipes that can be reused again and again after a simple machine wash. A zero-waste solution, much more sustainable! 2. Japanese Toilets: An Innovation from Asia
If you’ve traveled to Japan, you’ve probably come across these famous high-tech toilets. They operate with a water jet, completely replacing the use of paper.
Why is it worth adopting this technology?
Optimal hygiene thanks to water cleaning.
Save paper and reduce waste.
Less skin irritation.
The installation cost can be daunting, but conversion kits allow you to transform a conventional toilet into a Japanese version for around a hundred euros.
3. The Return of Traditional Methods
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3. The Return of Traditional Methods
Before the invention of toilet paper, various techniques were used:
Bidets, once very popular in France, are making a comeback. Using a simple jet of water, they guarantee impeccable cleanliness without generating waste. Washable cloths, already adopted by some zero-waste households, are an economical and ecological option. However, their maintenance requires a little more organization.
Is this an inevitable change?
Far from being a simple fad, these alternatives address real concerns: hygiene, economy, and ecology. More and more households are adopting more sustainable solutions, and at this rate, toilet paper could become marginal within a few decades.
So, are you ready to replace your usual roll with a more innovative solution?
