Avoiding paper products is a very easy way to save money and help the environment. While they are so easy to buy and use, they are mostly unnecessary. People just a few generations ago had no access to any of these products, and they were able to get by without them. All of the suggestions below only require that you do some extra laundry. If you started to use all of these suggestions for a family of four you'd only be adding (at most) a few loads per week to what you already do. The time it would take to buy all of the disposable products would quite possibly amount to the same time it would take to do a few extra loads of laundry.

Paper Towels - Rags made from old clothing works just fine for cleaning up messes. In a lot of cases they will work better. When you're done with them just throw them in a rag pile until you're ready to do laundry.

Kleenex - Use handkerchiefs or toilet paper. We really don't need to be pampered with softness to blow our noses. Tough it out, save a few dollars and a tree.

Napkins - Buy a set or sew yourself a set of cloth napkins. As a bonus they also look fancier.

Paper Lunch Bags - Use a reusable lunch bag, either homemade or store bought. You could also use a plastic grocery bag.

Paper Grocery Bags - Make or buy some fabric bags to bring with you when you shop.

Swiffers - Use a broom or vacuum more often.

Disposable Diapers - Cloth diapering is the obvious alternative.

Baby Wipes - A baby face cloths works just a well. Wash them with your diapers.

Feminine Hygiene Products - There are many good alternatives to disposable pads and tampons. Cloth pads are very comfortable and effective. Read the article "Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products" for more information

Toilet Paper - Small rags work very well as an alternative to toilet paper. Toilet paper is only a modern invention and is unnecessary. Once used, put them in a bucket behind your toilet and wash them as needed. While this may sound disgusting they are really no different then using cloth diapers.