I’ve saved £77 this year by using rags instead of loo roll – I just chuck them in the washing machine
WITH Christmas fast approaching, many of us will be looking for ways to save a few extra pennies.
And one mum has a rather surprising suggestion – swapping out the loo roll.
Frith is a money-saving guru who regularly shares videos advising families on how to make affordable eco-friendly choices on her TikTok page @FrithOnLife.
And in a recent clip that racked up more than 13k views, she shared an unusual thrifty tip that left viewers absolutely open-mouthed because of its potential saving.
In the video, Frith began by asking followers “Want to save some money?” while filming a shot of some toilet roll.
She then filmed a clip of “family cloth”, which her family has switched to instead of loo paper.
Family cloth is a reusable alternative to normal toilet paper, and is made from rags, old t-shirts, sewn fabric or the like.
Instead of flushing down the toilet after using, you instead place the small strips into a bin or hamper after wiping, and then wash the used garments regularly on a high heat.
In the comments, the savvy mum wrote: “In the last year since making the switch we have saved £77, and that’s with my husband and guests still using paper.
“We’ve had a toilet roll subscription for the last three years so I can easily see how much less we’re using and how much we’re saving.”
The sustainable star added: “All you need is a set of wipes and a zip wetbag” – which she presumably uses to store the used cloths – which she predicts costs around £10-£15 and “last for years”.
Explaining a bit more, Frith says that there’s no extra washing for the family “as we wash them with our reusable nappies” – however for families that don’t already put on such a wash, “they only need a quick rinse cycle and then they can go in your normal laundry wash”.
She also clarifies for more squeamish viewers that: “There is also no need to fear touching them. Simply unzip the bag and pop it in the machine and it will do all the rest for you.”
Other studies have predicted that switching to reusable toilet paper could save the average family upwards of £200 each year, even with the current high energy costs.
They can also be gentler on the skin than normal loo roll, making the swap a great option for those who are already investing in gentler paper or special wipes.
As Frith acknowledges, the economical alternative isn’t for everyone – but for those unbothered by the thought of it, it can really rack up a huge saving.
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