Family cloth.
And, yes, family cloth is exactly what you are thinking....
Do you think I am weird?
I certainly thought family cloth was way too 'out there' even for me for the longest time. Then, I realized we (okay, I) go through a lot of toilet paper. As a general rule, I like nice things and my toilet paper was no exception. And that stuff really adds up if you stop and think about it. Seriously. You should stop and think about it sometime.
My switch to family cloth has absolutely nothing to do with preserving the environment, saving trees, reducing my carbon footprint or limiting exposure to chemicals. It has everything to do with being cheap. The green aspects are just an added bonus to saving a few bucks each week.
Like that basket? It's pretty, right? I bought it at our town's holiday bazaar from a woman who imports fair trade goods from Uganda. I liked that. I liked the way it looked. And, I liked that it was on the clearance table for $10.
Inside the basket are the family cloth. In reality, they are unhemmed, cut-up receiving blankets. Trust me. They aren't fancy. These are the same cloths I use as wipes for Liza and at last count we had 1,928 messily cut-up fabric squares.
This is a medium sized travel wetbag intended for cloth diapers. I bought it used from a friend and this little bag is what made family cloth a reality for my house. Until I purchased this wetbag, I couldn't envision the logistics of family cloth. I knew the wipes couldn't go in the trash can on the floor because Henry is notorious for digging through the trash when we aren't looking and a newly mobile Liza can't be trusted either. As soon as I saw this wetbag's little handle, I knew it was perfect for our bathroom. The cute owl print didn't hurt either.
I throw the wipes and the bag into the cloth diaper laundry once the basket o' wipes begin running low. If we didn't have cloth diapers, I would wash the wipes and the bag with a load of towels. No biggie. Once I got my setup perfected, it has been no big deal at all. Seriously.
Do you think this is weird?
Are you weird like me?
14 comments:
We've been using family cloth since we started cloth diapering, so about 26 months? It's awesome :) Totally not weird at all!
Much less weird than the way I learned to go about it in India.
Completely off subject, but I have to say I love your shower curtain. I was debating on buying the blue one yesterday!
On subject, I don't think it's weird, but my husband would look at me like I grew 2 heads if I brought it up, haha. It would never fly in our house.
I wouldn't say it's weird but it is so very different than what I've always done and what everyone I know has done, that it would take a lot of guts and desire for us to do this. And, my husband just gave me a firm "no way". I admire your family for doing it, though!
Dusti, it certainly does go hand in hand with cloth diapers. We've used family cloth for about 6 months and I can't believe it took me this long to actually do it.
Taylor, true. My left hand is definitely not getting dirty.
Whitney, thanks! Love me some Anthro. I didn't consult Taylor about it but he is always gung-ho for something new.
Amanda, not sure if it's a family thing.....I've never asked Taylor if he used the cloth or not ;)
agreeing with whitney about that shower curtain! FABULOUS!
also...your blog posts make me smile. :)
Family cloth is something I've never considered before...I don't know if I could get on board though. Off topic: the shower curtain. I read this blog about sewing and crafting and the lady who writes it had this post not that long ago http://elleapparel.blogspot.com/2011/02/anthropology-ruffle-shower-curtain.html
If you're ever interested in making one...randomness?
I love love love the idea of family cloth but at the risk of asking TMI, is it AWEFUL with adult poo? Do you spray like you do cd's? I will need to convince dh! :-) and I too love your shower curtain
This post does not surprise me at all. It just reminds me of another item to Add to my list to bring when we visit. Happy mothers day!!!! I'm glad everybody likes your shower curtain.
ha! I was wondering what you do for guests?! I guess Lizbeth won't be using the family cloth? :)
I love the shower curtain too. Your blog is notorious (in my book) for opening my eyes to things that I have never considered before... I have to say that I like cheap but not this much! I'm totally out on this one. More power to you though!!
Love the concept but without a dryer I don't think I could do it! I love the basket ...what a steal at $10!!!
LT - glad I can make you smile. Your blog makes me smile too!
The Connon Clan - that would definitely be cheaper than buying from Anthropologie but I don't really make things. Maybe I'll save enough money from not buying tp to call the ridiculously priced shower curtain an even break....
Amy, I don't spray diapers. That seems gross to me. And, it's not like I'm sitting in a dirty diaper....it's a different scene with a potty trained person.
Lizbeth, no need to bring your own :)
Laurin, I'm pretty sure Tay still uses tp so I still keep it on hand. I just don't buy it in the huge quanities like I used to.
DD, you don't have a dryer?!?! How do you dry things in the winter with all that cold weather?
We do hang stuff out on the balcony and in our bathroom that has heated floors. I REALLY miss a dryer!! I think it is easier on clothes not to have it but.....
I don't know if you use mama cloth or not but I have a giveaway for an AWESOME overnight cloth pad on my blog right now!!!
http://joyfilledmama.blogspot.com/2011/06/cloth-pads-at-ladybug-creations.html
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