Ideal Bite

Here's my conundrum. I try to use cloth towels as much as possible for cleanups, wipe-downs, etc., But we're a small household so I might do a load of laundry only once every 2 weeks or so (to adhere to the "only wash when you have a full load" policy on water use). Meanwhile, I've got a slowly building pile of dirty, wet rags that then get mildewy and nasty. I don't have a lot of space for hanging them to dry until it's time for a wash. Also, I don't care to mix napkins and actual dish cloths with cloths I've used to wipe the floor or clean other grunge so it might mean I'd have to wait even longer before I did a load of cleaning cloths. My unsatisfactory compromise has long been to use cloth for dishes, napkins, spills and general wipe-up, and to use paper for the grungier jobs (cat puke being one example that springs to mind). Suggestions?

Re: why are we ladies flushing all that TP, is it taboo to use a cloth wipe at least some of the time, its not as gross as you first might think... YUK!! I'll stick to using post consumer recycled TP. I care about the planet & saving trees but....Think hygiene.

How about storing them in water in a covered pail like we did with diapers? Perhaps with a little vinegar. As to pet accidents (we foster dogs and have one of our own) I see nothing wrong with a roll of recycled paper towels. I don't want that stuff being washed with my towels.

I use cloths for most wiping up, and sometimes even reuse old underwear (washed of course!) for cleaning. I use paper towels occasionally, but they are recycled and non re-bleached and throw them in the compost afterwards... I'm pretty shocked at how many people use these "Germ Wipes", we don't have them in Australia. I worry about the increasing prevalence of antibacterial products… all they do is kill everything so that the surfaces (or your hands) can be re-populated with more pathogenic (bad, disease-causing) bacteria. I’ve started using a new product called BioPure, which is an environmentally-friendly cleaning concentrate made from probiotic bacteria (like what’s in yoghurt). You spray it on surfaces (kitchen counters, toilets, shower tiles etc) and it populates them with these beneficial bacteria, which dominate the pathogenic bacteria. It’s a much safer, and longer lasting solution than using anti-bacterial cleaning products, and it’s organic and safe for use around children. You can order it online: www.anniesorganics.mionegroup.com

"What ever happened to tearing up old worn out tee shirts" We do and I'm guessing that most others on this site do too. We use them for the dirtier repair jobs. But, with the 240 bulk cotton washcloths we bought we have replaced 100% of our paper needs including paper towels, everyday napkins and cleaning. I don't go through THAT many t-shirts.

240 bulk cotton Good point! If you got rid of all paper then congrats.

Terry cloth works on all levels of cleaning-for the home. Simple home made cleaning products-such as Listerne (orginial formual gold) can be used to wipe down counters, inside refigerators, floors, carpets (vomit or cat stains), trash and garbage cans with hospital sterile and earth kind results. Stinky diaper pail? Listerne it.. bad bathroom toilet surpise to wipe up after? Grape the cloth towels, Listerne and go to town. Paper towels are truly great and sensible for a few things in life. Let's be honest-it is not as if it is listed in the Bible as one of the Top 10 Mortal Sins-but when you balance use with sensiblity-then paper towel use makes all the sense in the world-for instance. When you hang a roll up above your sink INSIDE your --> bathroom <--, your kids or the visiting neighborhood kids who have all have colds, may just wash and dry their hands and LEAVE your family bathtowels alone. (You ever seen a three year old wipe use hanging towels to wipe their nose as they dry their hands?) Bleach-(the devil tool) will also keep your family's bathtub clean with a fast pass with a spray diluation. This diluated solution naturally dissolves in when exposed to direct sunlight. (This is why it put in drinking water-to kill bad germs but with time Earth friendly) Germicides-kill viruses-which bleach CAN NOT control or kill. You need to look for TWO different agents when thinking clean. Hot or cold water-steam or not-some germs are tricky little guys-but if you get a GERMICIDE-you can spray down iccky pet smells in that old rug (you can smell it but can't see it-hidden away forever) and the smell will GO AWAY. Why? cause germicides kill what even bleach can not. (shrug) Oh-you should always "switch it" using germicdes in the bathroom with bleach-because even full grown men have been known to use bathtubs as toliets while in the showers. (Kids, will too) The truth is sometimes NOT pretty, folks. All the time you are so worried about the kitchen counters when the real trouble is in may be in entire room. Okay, I am bored with my post now. ROFL.

Actually, as far as the rhetorical question, there HAVE been studies that show that kids who grow up in third world countries or in poorer areas in the US where parents are not obsessively killing every last germ with anti-bacterial soaps etc. are actually healthier than their counterparts in wealthier areas where families tend to use more germ killing products. Those kids'are exposed to a few germs early on, so their boides have to learn how to fend off minor viruses and their immune systems are stronger for it.

Erica, Studies have shown some things-about "third world countries". However the end result on this type of studies are not ones which I care to review, but did for you. http://childinfo.org/areas/childmortality/ Not the answer I want to know. Germ killing products are not as "heal risking" as antibotically force fed farm animals raised for food-a practice which is coming to a halt with many meat companies (Tyson for example) The floors germs which bleach can not "kill" carry wonderful viruses that your family's may be exposed to every day in other places other than the home. common fungal infections (communal showers, locker rooms and fitness centers) then drag these little viruses home for everyone to enjoy. Other "germs/virus" wich can be missed by normal cleaning agents-but are addressed by a germicial detergent are: Herpex Simplex II, Rubella Virus, Influeza and more. So-I use both-because I know the world harbors many things I do not wish to have in my home (or pass along from one of my kids drinking from a drinking fountain at school then "glugging" directly from a milk carton-in my refig. Its just common sense to use extra time educating yourself, because kids WILL drink from fountains when they are thristy and milk carton tops when no one is looking-because they are kids. (Heck, I know I did when I was a kid) But, medical school taugh me about CROSS CONTAMINATION, even from hand to grabbing an apple in the refig-so use this knowledge with common sense balance. Kids who "grow up" in any country-is good. Kids who grow up with the advantages of educated parents in many of the "First World Countries" are darned lucky. Or-maybe not. When germs are measured-its by the millions in the lab-no matter who is counting. Swabbing any place in your home-will give a full reading-no matter who's home it is. Based on your requirement of "a few germs early on" every kid is receiving a full quota-even in the cleaniest home in town. Trust me, as a human race, we "carry home" on our own-enough "bugs" to wipe out a third world country, in the right conditions. (Based on real life studies-which most medical students have to read) So, there it is, folks. pseudomonas abounds. :)

Not that I want to rain on Erica's parade, but I did want to put in a quote from the site Wigglesnort recommended: "Child mortality is closely linked to poverty: advances in infant and child survival have come more slowly in **poor countries** and to the *poorest people in wealthier countries.* Improvements in public health services are key, including safe water and better sanitation." Yes, the site did say that kids in these more impoverished areas die more. I’m sorry, Erica, but what you have apparently heard just isn't right. I am also in the medical profession (only RN, not yet crazy enough to be a doctor ;o) and believe the correct information is the best education. Here’s to hoping you spread the truth. joy