Hygiene and Cleanliness – Choosing the Right Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is one of the most important and widely used hygiene products today. It is an essential household item in most countries. In Switzerland, average annual toilet paper consumption is 140 rolls per person.

What Is Toilet Paper?

Toilet paper is made from pressed cellulose and is used for cleaning and drying after using the toilet. Because it dissolves easily, it is not very suitable as household paper for wiping up spills.
Toilet paper is available in different ply counts, wet or dry, bleached or unbleached, and made from different materials. These may include wood from Germany and Scandinavia, as well as eucalyptus wood from Spain, which is said to be particularly suitable for softness.
Unlike kitchen roll, toilet paper breaks down in the sewer system when it comes into contact with water.

Plenty of Choice

Almost all supermarkets, chemists and online shops now offer customers an almost endless choice of toilet paper. But what are the differences? Is every type of toilet paper suitable for every purpose?

Different Ply Counts

A closer look at the different toilet paper products quickly reveals a number of differences. These relate not only to price, but above all to the paper’s manufacture and quality and the number of plies.

Available options include:

• 1-ply
• 2-ply
• 3-ply
• 4-ply
• 5-ply
• 6-ply toilet paper.

In general, the more plies the paper has, the more tear-resistant it is. This can matter depending on how it will be used. For example, toilet paper in a care setting may need to meet different requirements from paper used on a campsite.
While single-ply toilet paper is often used in public toilets, consumers tend to choose multi-ply paper at home. As a general rule, the more plies pressed together, the stronger and more absorbent the paper. Several plies also feel softer and more comfortable on the skin.

Toilet Paper Quality Criteria

When buying toilet paper, several factors with different priorities may influence your choice:

• environmentally friendly
• soft
• affordable
• scented
• attractively designed
• coreless
• moist

Knowing in advance what you are looking for can make choosing toilet paper much easier.

What Should You Look For?

If you want paper with a lower environmental impact, choosing fewer plies is a good option. Most manufacturers identify particularly environmentally friendly products on the packaging. Well-known labels include the Blue Angel and the FSC mark.
There is also a wide choice of scented toilet paper, including chamomile and floral fragrances, aloe vera, and seasonal scents such as pine or summer freshness.
Printed toilet paper is available too. Prints range from Christmas reindeer, cute kittens and birthday designs to banknotes, with options for every occasion and taste. If you choose printed paper, make sure the colours are made from non-toxic substances.

Moist toilet paper can feel particularly pleasant and gentle, but it does not break down easily and may cause blockages in narrower pipes. It should therefore be used sparingly.
Recently, coreless toilet rolls have become popular. They reduce waste and help protect the environment. These rolls also contain twice as many sheets, making them last longer and reducing how often the roll needs to be changed.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the toilet paper you prefer depends mainly on personal preference, taste and intended use. Caring for an older person may require more plies than a public toilet, where economy is a key consideration. You might choose a novelty design as a gift, paper that dissolves easily for a camper, or a pleasant fragrance for your home. The range is almost endless.