Hygiene and cleanliness - the right toilet paper
Toilet paper is one of the most important and best-selling hygiene products of our time. In most countries, it is a must in every household. The average consumption of toilet paper in Switzerland is 140 rolls per person per year.
What is toilet paper?
Toilet paper is paper made from pressed cellulose that is used for cleaning and drying after using the toilet. It is rather unsuitable as household paper for wiping up due to its easy solubility.
Toilet paper is available in different layers, in moist and dry versions, bleached or unbleached and made from different materials. For example, wood from German and Scandinavian woods and Spanish eucalyptus wood, which is said to be excellent for fluffiness.
Unlike kitchen roll, toilet paper disintegrates in the sewerage system when it comes into contact with water.
Spoilt for choice
Almost all supermarkets, drugstores and online shops now offer shoppers an almost endless selection of different toilet paper. But what are the differences? Is every toilet paper suitable for every purpose?
Different layers
If you take a closer look at the various toilet paper products on offer, you will quickly realise that there are some differences. Not only in price, but above all in the processing and quality of the paper and the number of layers.
There are
- 1-ply
- 2-ply
- 3 ply
- 4 ply
- 5 ply
- 6-ply toilet paper.
In general, the more layers the paper has, the more tear-resistant it is. This can be important depending on the intended use. In the care sector, for example, toilet paper has to meet different requirements than on the campsite.
While single-ply toilet paper is usually used in public toilets, consumers prefer to use multi-ply paper at home. As a general rule, the more layers that are pressed on top of each other, the more resistant and absorbent the paper is. Several layers are also more pleasant and softer on the skin.
Quality criteria for toilet paper
There are several points with different priorities that can be decisive when buying toilet paper:
- environmentally friendly
- soft
- reasonably priced
- fragrant
- beautifully designed
- without paper roll
- moist
Knowing in advance which toilet paper you want can make the choice much easier.
What should you look out for?
If you value paper that is as environmentally friendly as possible, you are already well advised to use fewer layers. Most manufacturers label this on the packaging to indicate that the product is a particularly environmentally friendly paper. Well-known labels are the Blue Angel and the FSC seal.
People who would like to buy fragrant toilet paper will also find a large selection of different scents, such as camomile, various floral scents, aloe vera, and seasonal scents such as pine or summer freshness are also available.
The same applies to printed toilet paper. From Christmas elks, cute kittens, birthday motifs and even banknotes, there are prints for every occasion and taste. It is important to ensure that the colour consists of non-toxic substances.
Moist paper has the advantage of being particularly pleasant and gentle, but it dissolves poorly and can easily lead to pipe blockages in narrow pipes. It should therefore be used sparingly.
Recently, there has been a trend towards toilet paper without a cardboard roll in the centre. This saves on annoying waste and protects the environment at the same time. What's more, these rolls have twice as many sheets, which makes them more durable and you don't have to replace the roll as often.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, which toilet paper you prefer is primarily a question of personal preference, personal taste and the intended use. For the care of an elderly person, you may need more layers than in a public toilet, where economy plays a major role. Whether as a fun gift with a design, easily soluble paper for the camper or with a pleasant scent for your own household. The range is almost endless.
