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Toilet paper – most of us never think about it, until we truly need it. But believe it or not, there is a wide range of difference in quality, between cheap toilet paper, and top of the line styles.
We aggregated tens of thousands of actual user reviews, researched for hours, and tested the most popular brands. So if you are curious – here are our top picks, for the best toilet paper on the market.
Our Top Pick
Presto! Ultra Soft
When it comes to toilet paper – softness is king. But you don’t want only softness – you need thickness, as well. This affordable toilet paper from Amazon is a perfect mix of gentle and durable, and with thousands of stellar reviews – it’s our top choice.
Other Great Picks
Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare
With thousands of great reviews, this pick from Cottonelle is not only durable and soft – it’s very affordable. While there are plenty of great picks for toilet paper, we highly recommend this one.
Caboo Tree Free Bamboo
If you really care about the environment – and let’s be honest, we all should – this is a great choice of toilet paper. Made from sustainably grown bamboo, and 100% biodegradable, this is our top choice for more environmentally friendly toilet paper.
Pacific Blue 2-Ply
Want a big roll of toilet paper? This may be the best choice. With a jumbo size, and 2-ply thickness, it’s definitely recommended.
Seventh Generation Recycled
This toilet paper from Seventh Generation offers softness, toughness, and is made from completely recycled materials. It also has no added inks, dyes, or fragrances. Highly recommended.
Compact Coreless Recycled
With 1,000 sheets per roll, and 2-ply thickness, this is another great choice for toilet paper. Made with recycled materials, it’s also a better pick for the environment. Definitely recommended.
Scott Rapid Dissolving
This toilet paper is rapid dissolving, which means it’s great for not only your home – but also for boats and RVs. Scott is a very well-regarded brand for home items like paper towels – and their toilet paper also lives up to their stellar reputation. Definitely recommended.
Seventh Generation Unbleached
If you’re in need of hypoallergenic toilet paper, this style from Seventh Generation is a great choice. Made with 100% recycled materials, with 2-ply thickness, this is one of our absolute favorites. Highly recommended.
Silk’n Soft Bamboo
Have you tried bamboo toilet paper yet? If not, start with this kind. Silk’n Soft has made a truly unique product – one that is not only better for your butt – it’s better for the environment. Highly recommended.
Kirkland Signature
With 30 rolls available at a great price, this value brand of toilet paper provides both thickness and softness. While you can certainly spend more – we love the combination of quality and budget that Kirkland provides. Definitely recommended.
Why Is Toilet Paper Important?
Hmm, we’re not sure we have to explain exactly why toilet paper is important – it’s pretty self-explanatory. Without toilet paper – we can safely say that all of our lives would be worse off.
However, many people have specific needs when it comes to toilet paper. For example, if you have allergies, you’ll want to opt for a hypoallergenic brand of toilet paper.
If you care about the environment, you’ll want to go with a brand that is made from recycled materials – or at least more environmentally-friendly. We personally looked for toilet paper that was thick, soft, affordable, and best for long-term sustainability.
When Was Toilet Paper Invented?
You may be surprised to learn that before 1857 – there was no real toilet paper. Joseph Gayetty invented this modern-day necessity, which originally costs just 50 cents, for 500 sheets.
History Of Toilet Paper
Interestingly, toilet paper was not even on a roll, in its earliest days. It didn’t evolve into a roll until around 1883. Long before this, Chinese cultures used paper for bathroom use – as early as the 14th century.
As you might imagine, things were a little uglier, before toilet paper became commonplace. Unless you were extremely wealthy, you may have been using your hand to wipe in the bathroom (yikes).
Wealthier individuals could use lace, hemp, or wool – all far better options than ones own hand. Sometimes citizens were forced to use leaves, wood chips (big yikes), grass, hay, stones – or even corncobs.
In ancient Rome, a more complex form of toilet paper was used – essentially combining a sponge and a stick, which was even disinfected after each use. While this sounds pretty good, having to wipe with wood chips must have been extremely unpleasant.
How Is Toilet Paper Made?
Unfortunately, unless you buy a more sustainable type of toilet paper, the process to make it is extremely bad for the environment. Made mostly with trees, toilet paper also contains small amounts of water, whiteners, and chemicals that remove fibers.
There is some amount of sustainability involved in making toilet paper, as they sometimes receive reams that are recycled, These reams are then processed to make new toilet paper.
While toilet paper is a product that seems like it would be the same all the way across the board – there are actually many subtle differences between each brand and style. Back in the mid 1900s, colored toilet paper was very popular – a trend that has not carried over into modern times.
Each company has a distinctive texture and design, usually signified with either a pattern or logo printed on the toilet paper itself. Beyond this, many companies even have patented procedures for processing their toilet paper.
For example, there is ‘creping’ – which was developed by Georgia-Pacific, makers of Quilted Northern toilet paper, as well as makers of Angelsoft. Other companies (like Kimberly-Clark) have a similar process, with their toilet paper having a trademark ripple texture.
While these processes are all interesting, in our testing, most toilet papers felt pretty similar. We really only noticed differences with softness and thickness – which are the two biggest factors we recommend looking at, when choosing the best toilet paper for your own needs.
Recycled Paper vs. New Toilet Paper
Unfortunately, even though it’s better for the environment – recycled toilet paper is not nearly as widely used as traditional toilet paper. We recommend trying to make the switch, as everyone needs to start to do more to preserve the planet.
Unlike traditional toilet paper, recycled toilet paper is made from toilet paper that has been used, and since “recycled”. To make new toilet paper from the old, the paper is cooked in a pulper, and is then bleached and sanitized.
In addition to the recycled aspect, environmentally-friendly toilet paper is also processed in a far less toxic way than traditional toilet paper. We recommend recycled toilet paper for a multitude of reasons, but most brands of this style are unfortunately still much more expensive.
Why Is Everyone Buying Toilet Paper?
Due to the coronavirus of 2020, toilet paper quickly became a hot commodity. Why this happened, no one is exactly sure.
The most likely explanation is simply panic, as tons of unknowns meant many Americans started . Whether they wanted bottled water, food, or toilet paper – many citizens just started buying as much as they could.
Luckily, this wasn’t really necessary. And with toilet paper being one of the only products that is still made almost entirely in the United States, it was never a realistic thought that we’d really run out of it to begin with.
What About Cottonelle Toilet Paper?
Cottonelle is one of the best brands of toilet paper available. They make ultra soft paper, as well as many other different varieties.
As long as you don’t mind spending a little extra, Cottonelle is an excellent choice. We were pleased with the Cottonelle toilet paper we tested, and would recommend it to anyone.
What About Charmin Toilet Paper?
Charmin is arguably the most famous brand of toilet paper, due to their advertising campaigns and ultra soft paper. We loved Charmin when we tested it, and frequently use their ultra soft variety in our homes.
However, it is definitely not the most affordable brand available, so it may not be the best choice for you (at least if you’re on a tight budget). Nevertheless, if you don’t mind spending a little more, we highly recommend the ultra soft variety of Charmin.
What About Scott Toilet Paper?
Scott is another popular maker of toilet paper, and their products are usually a little bit more on the affordable side. If brand name doesn’t matter to you, Scott toilet paper may be an excellent choice for you.
Does Ultra Soft Matter?
Many brands advertise toilet paper that is one step beyond soft – it’s usually referred to as ultra soft. This makes a huge difference – we loved every brand of ultra soft we tested.
However, this type of toilet paper is also a little bit more expensive, and can be harder to flush. It may also be harder for your septic tank to deal with, and usually these varieties are not the best choice for the environment – so choose wisely.
How Long Is A Toilet Paper Roll?
4.5 inches by 4 inches is the standard size of a toilet paper roll. In terms of length, most toilet paper rolls will last 1-2 weeks, depending on how many people are in your household.
How Many Sheets Of Toilet Paper In A Roll?
There are almost always 500 sheets per roll of toilet paper (if the paper is double-ply) – or 1,000 sheets per roll of toilet paper, if the paper is single-ply. There are some variations on this standard capacity, but they are rare.
What Did People Use Before Toilet Paper?
Before toilet paper, things were (ahem) – a little messy. Leaves, soft gravel, wool – and even bare hands – were all used.
It’s not a time any of use would like to go back to. Frankly, some improvements and advancements should definitely be permanent – and toilet paper is definitely one of these products.
What To Use Instead Of Toilet Paper?
Firstly – we don’t recommend using anything but toilet paper. It’s just not a good idea.
However, if you are forced to, you can use a variety of other choices. These alternatives include baby wipes, bidets, reusable cloths, sponges, and even napkins.
Where Is Most Toilet Paper Made?
Unlike many products in modern times, toilet paper is still largely made in the United States. Ranging from factories in Cincinnati to Texas, most of the brands you’d recognize are still manufacturing within the US borders.
Some brands are made overseas, and factories operate in Finland, Japan, and China. If you care about buying products made only domestically, it’s easy to find a toilet paper you like, that is made entirely within the United States.
Why Are People Hoarding Toilet Paper?
Due to the coronavirus (or COVID-19, if you are more scientific) – toilet paper hoarding became quite popular. While no one is absolutely certain, the thought process seems to have been that toilet paper may run out.
Thus, toilet paper hoarding began. Fortunately, there were no real shortages of toilet paper, so there was no real need to hoard this bathroom necessity.
How Long Does A Roll Of Toilet Paper Last?
Depending on many factors (including how many people are in your house) a roll of toilet paper often lasts between 1 and 2 weeks. If you have a huge family (or you live on your own and are usually at work) – obviously your own mileage may vary.
How Much Toilet Paper Do You Need?
This is a great question, and one that you will personally have to answer. We always like to have a surplus of toilet paper on-hand – just in case things go south.
Having 20-30 extra rolls (usually kept in a laundry room or basement) – is a good baseline to shoot for. Toilet paper doesn’t really go bad – so it’s easy to store a surplus for whenever you might need it.
Where Can I Buy Toilet Paper?
Toilet paper is one of those true essential products – which means it can be found almost anywhere. Grocery stores, Amazon, Costco, Walmart – even many pharmacies all carry toilet paper.
If you are looking for a more rare or unique kind, Amazon is likely your best choice. We personally use their subscription option, so every month toilet paper is automatically delivered to our house.
Other Factors To Consider
Though we always aim to be comprehensive, there are many other factors to consider, when it comes to buying the right toilet paper (or bath tissue, if you prefer that nomenclature). If you choose an ultra soft (or thick and absorbent) type of toilet paper, you may run into issues – like a clog in your toilet.
Mega rolls seem great in theory – but they may cause problems for septic systems. While we certainly preferred ultra strong and the softest toilet papers – they may not disintegrate as easily.
And while you want absorbency from toilet paper – you don’t want clogging issues. Whether you buy store brands, or name brands (like Charmin Ultra Soft) – make sure you consider all the factors first.
An important one that is often overlooked – the choice between one-ply and two-ply toilet paper. You should also decide what you want to do about lint, as well as if you want single or double rolls.
Strong toilet paper (especially from well-known toilet paper brands) will often be better for sensitive skin – but that doesn’t always mean it’s better for your septic system. Roll size is another important factor to consider, along with the number of sheets per roll.
The Best Toilet Paper
There you have it – our top picks for the best toilet paper. Whether you want sustainable material, toilet paper that’s hypoallergenic – or just the standard white stuff – there is a great product for you.
Of course, there are a ton of other great choices for bathroom hygiene, besides toilet paper. So be sure to check out some of our other great product reviews.