Know what to do when toilet paper is unavailable?

You're so right! TP is the only product safe to flush.

On the issue of flushing, absolutely nothing except toilet paper should be flushed.    You could put anything else in a plastic bag, add some baking soda to absorb odor, and put it out with the garbage.

Sewer backups are unpleasant, inconvenient, and costly.    Don't take that chance!

Paper napkins, tissues, liners, etc can all work and are easier to find right now than toilet paper. Just be careful when it comes to flushing them. Our local sewer dept does not want anything flushed except actual toilet paper. Any other paper product would just go in the garbage. We are not even supposed to flush the personal wipes which are labeled as being "flushable."

Fifty-some years ago my husband was deployed on a Navy ship whose complete supply of toilet paper was destroyed when a storage compartment flooded. For a couple weeks the crew made do with every possible paper source -- newspaper, magazines, mimeograph paper, etc. After repeatedly crumpling it up, the paper would become somewhat soft. (I'm hoping we won't have to resort to this!)

See WorriedinCALI's answer in this thread:

https://www.agingcare.com/discussions/toilet-paper-shortage-457319.htm?orderby=recent&page=1�

She suggests paper napkins.    Good idea; I never thought of that.

REI is a major supplier of backpacking equipment, and addresses the hygiene issue as well:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hygiene-sanitation.html

The assumption is that toilet paper can be brought, so a lot of the tips don't help when toilet paper isn't available, but alternate methods (funnel, rag or cloth) are suggested as well.    I've heard of using a handkerchief as well.

We don't have a bidet in our bathroom, but can be installed. That would help cut down the need for toilet paper. Another easy option is to use a postpartum squeeze bottle to wash yourself with water, then dry with a towel. This is the type of bottle the hospital usually gives to women who just gave birth to wash themselves as it would be too painful to wipe soon after giving birth. I got one after the birth of each of my daughters, and it was very useful. Amazon and Walmart have them, and other drug stores should too.

UPDATE: Here is a link to a reusable pee cloth
https://kulacloth.com/
Disclaimer: I have never used this, so I can't vouch for it. But - ladies who do frequent, multiple-overnight, backcountry camping excursions swear by it.

Squee,

Cloth for campers? Backpackers? So where is it sold? I threw toilet paper in my backpack when I went hiking. I had water purification products on me at all times but I am not familiar with the product you’re speaking about. Sounds interesting. I bought all biodegradable products for bathing. Our ‘back to nature’ roughing it days!

Oh gosh, my carefree days of hiking trips through the mountains with my friends. Hahaha, my boyfriend got a little upset with me. I was supposed to suspend my backpack in a tree like they did. I didn’t. My young and stupid days!

A bear kept brushing up against the outside of our tent. I thought my boyfriend was moving around. He thought it was me. I wanted a midnight snack after hiking all day and not eating much so I had crackers in my pack. I also had a jar of peanut butter and crackers in the tent. My boyfriend told me not to eat in the tent but I wasn’t going to listen to him. I didn’t think about a bear finding me!

The bear destroyed my pack that I had leaning on the tree outside of our tent. That bear even ate my toothpaste! LOL I thought my boyfriend would stay mad at me for my stupidity but he started laughing and called me a ‘city girl.’

What was that show on television about very frugal people? Sorry, I can’t recall the name. Anyway, I remember this woman cut up old towels for her family to use. She did not buy any toilet paper.

If you had to guess how much money that we spend on toilet paper, how much do you think it would be?

The cloth diapers that our parents used for us as babies were washed constantly, so it’s the same. Detergent, utility bills, etc have to be factored into the cost of cloth. The services that do laundering of diapers cost a bit more as well.

Another concern that could be addressed by backpacker's equipment is the fact that so many places are closed and their restrooms are unavailable.

I spoke with the manager at my local drug store/pharmacy. Their supplies are scheduled to be shipped every 2 weeks, and this schedule has not been adjusted since the quarantine, despite the increased demand. People who know about the shipment dates - employees and their fam or friends? - arrive early and stock up.

This seems a little unethical, maybe? Like insider trading, but with toilet paper and wipes.

There is a washable/reusable cloth that backpackers swear by ( in accordance with the LEAVE NO TRACE guidelines) that I've put off buying, mainly because I don't foresee any 2020 camping. However I think right now might be the best time to buy one. If anyone is interested, I will post a link.

I have two cases of adult briefs that are left from my dad. I was planning on donating them, now I think I will wait in case I need to cut them up for wipes.

Does anyone know why people are hoarding toilet paper and other paper products? I know that there was always plenty before and now I have not seen any paper products for a month. Is there a supply problem or just hoarding?

If it works, go for it!

Pat, that's a great idea about using panty liners. Thanks for posting that suggestion :)