Individual casually places soap onto bathroom tissue for transport, amusing peers - the habit now catching on among buddy circle.
May 3, 09:35
**Anastasia Konovalova
Hack for Hygiene on the Go:
When it comes to family adventures in nature, maintaining hygiene, especially for kids, can be a constant concern. Kids love to explore, play, and get dirty, making handwashing a constant necessity. Carrying bottles of liquid soap might not be the most practical solution. We discovered a simple and portable trick for this problem - homemade soap wipes made from toilet paper.
At first, friends chuckled, but soon they appreciated the convenience and started using this life hack, too. To spruce up these wipes, take half a meter from a roll of toilet paper, cut it into large squares. Dab a bit of liquid soap onto each square and evenly distribute it.
Lay the squares out flat and let them dry for a few hours. Once dry, they become slightly rigid but not brittle. Slice the large squares into smaller pieces - around 4-5 cm. Store them in an airtight bag or plastic container.
Now, when you need to wash your hands in nature, just grab one of these squares, wet it with water, and scrub - it starts to froth like traditional soap. Dispose of the used wipe.
These soap wipes occupy minimal space in your backpack, eliminate the need to carry a bottle of liquid soap, and are especially helpful when there's no access to water and soap. They can be used to clean not only hands but other body parts as needed, according to the source.
Now, let's delve deeper into the utility of this clever invention. DIY soap wipes made from toilet paper can provide moderate efficiency for outdoor hygiene with proper preparation and usage, but they have limitations when compared to commercial solutions. Here's an analysis of their proficiency:
Effectiveness Factors
- Cleaning Potential: Toilet paper's absorbency and texture might not fully eradicate dirt or bacteria like disinfectant wipes or biodegradable wet wipes. Soap enhances cleansing but can leave residue if not rinsed thoroughly.
- Practicality: Pre-moistened DIY wipes are transportable and valuable when water access is limited (e.g., during outdoor activities or camping), much like compostable wipes in farm hygiene kits.
- Material Limitations: Standard toilet paper lacks durability and can disintegrate when wet, in contrast to commercial wipes that utilize reinforced fibers for strength.
Comparison to Alternatives
| Factor | DIY Soap Wipes | Commercial Wet Wipes | Bidets ||----------------|---------------|----------------------|--------|| Hygiene Level | Moderate (requires proper rinsing) | High (pre-moistened with sanitizers) | Highest (water-based cleaning) || Environmental Impact | Low (if biodegradable TP) | Varies (compostable options available) | Minimal (reduces TP use by 75%) || Cost | Very low | Moderate | High initial investment |
While functional for basic cleaning, DIY wipes offer less assurance for thorough sanitation compared to N95 masks + disinfectant wipes in professional settings or bidets' water-based cleaning. For extended outdoor usage, pre-made biodegradable wipes or portable bidet attachments may offer better hygiene outcomes.
To maximize efficiency, use biodegradable toilet paper in line with eco-friendly practices mentioned in farm hygiene kits. Combine with hand sanitizer if rinsing isn't feasible, as suggested in seasonal worker hygiene guides. Choose mild soaps to minimize skin irritation, similar to those in eco-friendly hygiene kits.
- Anastasia Konovalova's hack for hygiene on the go involves making soap wipes from toilet paper, which can be an effective solution for cleaning hands during outdoor activities.
- To use these soap wipes, take a half meter of toilet paper, cut it into large squares, add a bit of liquid soap, let them dry, and then cut them into smaller pieces to store in an airtight bag or container.
- While soap wipes made from toilet paper can be useful in some circumstances, they may not be as effective as commercial wet wipes in terms of cleaning potential and durability.
- To improve the efficiency of DIY soap wipes, consider using biodegradable toilet paper, adding hand sanitizer when rinsing isn't feasible, and choosing mild soaps to minimize skin irritation.
