But, as the tween boys in my neighborhood like to say, “You’ve got to keep it clean!” (My son and his friends like to talk about their bodily functions and bathroom habits all.the.time.) Nonetheless, they have a point. Hygiene is key!
For that reason, I came up with an alternative. I absolutely think that that the convenience of flushable wipes does come with a price. While my homemade wipes are super cheap to make, there is the unseen cost to consider. The effect of flushable wipes on our plumbing and sewage treatment infrastructure is widespread and damaging.
I decided to switch to a toilet paper spray which is so much easier to make! The worst part of making wipes is cutting the paper towel roll. Well when you cut out the paper towel altogether, you don’t have to worry about it.
There are retail sprays that can be purchased, like Aquinelle, but making my own spray is so easy and so much cheaper.
DIY Toilet Paper Spray
Materials needed:
- Plastic or Glass Spray bottle. I opted for a plastic bottle. I don’t want to risk one of the kids dropping a glass bottle and this recipe does not use the essential oils degrade in plastic.
- Distilled water, or purified water that has been brought to a rolling boil for at least three minutes.
- 1-2 TBL Gentle body wash. We use Cetaphil or Cerave Skin Cleanser since that is what we have to use for my daughter’s sensitive skin.
- 1-2 TBL Witch Hazel
- 1 TBL Fractionated Coconut Oil
- 5 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
- 10-20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Directions for our DIY Toilet Paper Moistener
We use a plastic spray bottle with a trigger for our toilet paper spray. The smaller spray bottles found in beauty aisles are a great size for this use. It is easier for children to use. The small travel spray bottles are perfect for on the go use but is much harder for children to use.
I like to buy this type of spray bottle from Dollar Tree, Walmart, or in bulk online. I regularly disinfect my toilet spray bottle but it is also a good idea to replace it every once in a while.
First, fill your spray bottle with about 5 oz of distilled water (or two thirds full).
Second, add the remaining ingredients. Cap the bottle and shake it. Based on the body wash you use, you can add more water if it is too soapy or foamy.
This easy toilet paper moistening spray is a frugal and earth friendly alternative to flushable hygiene wipes.DIY Toilet Paper Spray: The Butt Wipes Alternative
Materials
Tools
Instructions
Simply moisten toilet paper with the sprayer nozzle on the mist setting. Wipe as normal.
I hang mine from the toilet paper holder. We use a toilet paper stand holder because the kids can’t reach the toilet paper holder on the far wall.
Make sure you give the kids instructions! I assumed that my tweens would just know what to do. Then one of them ask how they are supposed to spray their bottom with it if they are sitting on the toilet!
It took my husband a little longer to get used to the spray bottle than the kids. He thinks it’s a little weird but he is a big fan of saving money and not having to call the plumber about clogs so he is adjusting!
What do you think? Is the idea of a toilet paper spray strange to you?
Katie O'Brien says
Hi what is the purpose of the witch hazel in this recipe, and can it be left out?
Herchel Scruggs says
Hi there, it is an astringent and helps clean the skin but it can absolutely be left out.
Su says
This is brilliant!! Thanks so much. I’ve been wishing I could afford a bidet but that doesn’t travel too well in any case! 🤨
Lisa says
Would aloe Vera gel substitute for coconut oil?
Herchel Scruggs says
Hi Lisa, I haven’t tried substituting aloe vera but I don’t see why not. I wouldn’t put too much in because it might end up feeling “slimy.” I will make a batch and try it this evening and get back to you.
Update: It worked just fine. Nobody in my household mentioned the substitution. They also never noticed when I stopped using baby oil and replaced it with fractionated coconut oil. The oil/aloe vera is really there to improve the “user experience” lol. The water, gentle soap, and (arguably) the witch hazel are really what matters.
This may be a little blunt but my post pandemic outlook on the world has become purely utilitarian. When prime shipping deliveries went from a 1-2 day wait to 2-3 weeks (or unavailable at this time) and “running out to grab…” became let me gear up (and pray) to fight an invisible virus that could theoretically kill *all* the other members of my household due to their underlying conditions, the meaning of “what is necessary” changed for me profound and irreversible ways.
Just toilet paper is better than no toilet paper and toilet paper sprayed with water is better than dry toilet paper.
Hope this helps and wasn’t depressing lol.
Carin says
Great idea! We have two grandsons one tween and one five year old. After setting bathroom up with so called flushable wipes sill clogged our system live in a old farmhouse with cast iron plumbing cost Three thousand dollars because where the clog was located. Flushable is not a guarantee. Hard lesson to learn. As soon as I saw your idea I put it to use brilliant thank you
Cj says
What are the measurements for the “other ingredients”?
Herchel Scruggs says
Hi, all the amounts are listed in the ingredients section. Which “other ingredients” do you mean?
Em says
Is there a good substitute for fractionated coconut oil?
Herchel Scruggs says
Hi there, I used to use baby oil.
SherrryB says
I can’t get enough moisture without the TP having no strength and yes, it’s rough compared to wipes. Would adding glycerin help??
Herchel Scruggs says
Hi Sherry, it might? I use glycerin in my hand wipes but haven’t tried it with the toilet paper spray. It’s more dense than the water so may be good to try. We use kirkland or Charmin brand toilet paper which tends to be stronger than most brands so don’t have issues with the toilet paper breaking. Also, maybe a fine mist bottle to spread out the spray so it isn’t concentrated in one section (like the small travel spray bottle in the pictures) may work better for you. I don’t like the toilet paper over saturated or too soapy/slimey myself so I would go for adding water first.
Jeff LaLone says
How does this work away from home, on unknown toilet paper? My workplace has the awful commercial grade stuff that somehow takes a dozen wipes to clean but only one to chafe. Do you think this is worth a shot, or should I just make my own wipes?
Herchel Scruggs says
Hi Jeff, I have a small spray bottle (the travel mini spray bottle that you can find at drug stores) that works great. I think the bottle is easier for me to carry with me than wipes would be. Frankly, it can make any toilet paper more comfortable.
But, my husband and son prefer wipes to the spray. I like the spray because I get to determine how saturated I want the paper at each use. They like to just grab wipes.
Nan Murphy says
Thank you so much for this. Our plumber warned me about using flushable wipes and I have been searching. My only problem is that I seem to be allergic to tea tree oil. Any suggestions?
Herchel Scruggs says
Hi Nan, you can skip it!