Using the wrong toilet paper can irritate your skin or clog up sewers. Understanding the key differences can help you find a gentle option for your body and plumbing. I’m sharing this simple guide on the different types of toilet paper to avoid skin irritation, clogs, and waste.
Picking the Perfect Ply: Types of Toilet Paper
The major types of toilet paper include 1-ply, 2-ply, and 3-ply toilet paper. There are sustainable materials like bamboo, brown, and biodegradable toilet paper made from recycled or alternative fibers. You can also use the absorbent and soft luxury multi-ply, unbleached, and colored paper towels.
The number of plies, materials used, manufacturing process, and other attributes differentiate the many varieties of toilet paper available. When selecting a toilet paper roll for daily use, factors like softness, strength, sustainability, plumbing suitability, and budget determine which type best meets your needs and preferences.
This boom has created massive waves in the entire toilet industry. The manufacturers of toilet paper in today’s time have given consumers a variety of types of basic household items that differ in terms of their texture, color, production process, style, size, durability, cost, and feel.
1. 1-Ply Toilet Paper
Ply refers to layers or the thickness of a folded material. A 1-ply toilet paper consists of only a single layer of paper. Initially, toilet paper only had a single layer. It was many years later that different varieties of toilet paper were introduced with a greater number of layers.
One of the main reasons why I use single-ply toilet paper is because it costs less than other toilet paper types. Another incredible advantage of this bath tissue is that single-ply tissue paper is a good choice for septic systems because it breaks down way quicker than 2-ply and 3-ply toilet paper.
2. 2-Ply Toilet Paper
A 2-ply toilet paper contains two layers or a double layer of paper. The best toilet paper for you is a 2-ply toilet paper when you need something thicker and more durable than one-ply toilet paper products. The two layers of 2-ply toilet paper are softer and absorbent, considering the thickness levels.
When I find a single-ply too thin, I switch to a 2-ply toilet paper from time to time. It still works well on homes with old plumbing that is sensitive to clogs. However, it is a tad expensive because of the two layers in it, since more layers of paper translate to more cost.
3. 3-Ply Toilet Paper
This type of toilet paper comes with three layers of paper, making it thicker and more absorbent than a 2-ply toilet paper roll. With three layers of paper, a 3-ply paper roll can hold and absorb a great amount of water. I find it much softer, stronger, and even more durable than the others.
However, some inevitable disadvantages are often associated with using 3-ply toilet paper. It costs way more than 1-ply or 2-ply toilet paper, which might create a dent in your pocket at the end of each month. More than that, it runs a greater risk of clogging toilets.
4. Tree-Free Bamboo Toilet Paper
Bamboo toilet paper is the best toilet paper for you if you are looking for a more eco-friendly and ‘greener’ type of toilet paper. Tissue paper made from bamboo is more environmentally friendly than virgin pulpwood used in traditional toilet paper since bamboo grows faster, taking less water and land.
Aside from that, bamboo pulp can hold up to three times the amount of water in relation to its weight, which makes it absorbent. Unlike other standard types of toilet paper, this sustainable toilet paper is super silky and ultra soft because it is not bleached.
5. Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Though toilet paper is technically biodegradable, true biodegradable toilet paper made from materials like bamboo or sugarcane pulp is less bulky. This is why I prefer to stock up on rolls of biodegradable toilet paper as it takes up less septic tank space and breaks down faster than standard toilet paper.
Consider ply thickness as well when choosing recycled paper. While single-ply biodegradable toilet paper is gentler on a septic system, it also feels less soft on the skin. For camping, compact, biodegradable toilet paper packaging doubles as a dispenser.
6. Luxury Toilet Paper
True to its name, luxury toilet paper is a whole level higher than the average toilet paper that most people use. What sets it apart is that it comes in different fancy variations, such as lotioned, perfumed, quilted, and scented premium toilet paper.
These ultra-plush sheets are often referred to as ‘premium toilet paper’ because their multiple layers are soft and supple. Luxury toilet paper also justifies its name with the help of the heavy price tag that comes with it.
7. Unbleached Toilet Paper
What I love about environment-safe unbleached toilet paper is that it avoids the chlorine-bleaching process of standard brands. This eliminates toxins and prevents health issues like chronic vulvar irritation. However, unbleached toilet paper can be rougher in texture.
A carcinogen known as formaldehyde is commonly found in standard brands of toilet paper. Studies show it may cause chronic vulvar irritation because unknown fragrances and dyes in the tissue can enter the bloodstream. Unbleached toilet paper is a safer, more eco-friendly option than chlorine-bleached standard brands, which can leach chemicals and cause reactions.
8. Brown Toilet Paper
It is considered to be the most environmentally friendly type of toilet paper since a very little amount of bleach is used during its manufacturing process. Interestingly, the color of most varieties of brown toilet paper is brown. This is due to the low amount of bleach used to make the paper.
The whole concept behind brown toilet paper is to be greener, look after the environment, and care for the planet. However, the downside is that brown toilet paper is a tad rough as compared to standard tissue paper rolls. Still, brown tissue paper rolls are reliable because they are not easy to tear or fade.
9. Recycled Toilet Paper
There is no denying the fact that using recycled toilet paper helps preserve energy, saves trees, and protects the natural habitat. The same is the case with using recycled toilet paper. Recycled paper saves trees while lowering the massive environmental damage caused by the production and use of standard toilet paper rolls.
Recycled toilet paper consumes 50% less water, 74% less air pollution, and 64% less energy than traditional toilet paper. Similar to unbleached toilet paper, recycled toilet paper can be a little sandy in terms of texture. It is also quite thin, given the fewer layers.
10. Colored Toilet Paper
Colored toilet paper emerged during the 1950s, which is also described as the ‘heyday of color coordination’. During that time, the idea of a color-neutral bathroom came off as quite ordinary and boring to most women. They resorted to matching the color of their toilet paper with the interior of their bathroom.
The primary reason behind the decline was the fact that this bath tissue was quite harmful to the skin. While colored toilet paper can look neat on the toilet paper holder, it contains pastel dyes, which can be very risky when they come into contact with human skin. Interestingly, colored tissue paper has made a comeback, especially black-colored toilet paper.
Toilet Tissue Tales: The Fascinating Evolution of Toilet Paper
You’ll be surprised to know that the first-ever documented use of toilet paper dates back to early Medieval China, sometime during the sixth century AD. This is particularly interesting because paper had already been introduced in China in the second century AD. Back then, it was only used as padding and as a wrapping material.
Soon enough, people from those times started wiping themselves with paper, which is exactly what led to the manufacturing of toilet paper rolls. Ten million packages of about 1000 to 10,000 toilet paper sheets began to be produced on an annual basis, specifically in what is now known as the Zhejiang province.
Fast forward to the 18th century, and there was quite a rise in publishing during that time that resulted in the use of cheap editions of books along with newspapers for cleaning and hygiene purposes.
From Necessity to Luxury: The Rise of Toilet Paper as a Commodity
The United States was the first to witness and experience the trend of using bathroom tissue as a commodity. One of the first few inventors of modern and commercially available toilet paper rolls in the U.S. was a man named Joseph Gayetty.
He was the first person to introduce toilet paper in 1857, which continued to be available until the 1920s. It was a medicated type of tissue paper, and it was initially sold in the form of flat sheets that were contained together in a package.
Soon enough, there were also moist toilet papers that were introduced, and they were called ‘wet wipes’. They first emerged in the United Kingdom during the 1990s and were introduced by Andrex. These moist papers were considered to be far better than dry toilet paper in terms of usage and effectiveness.
Key Factors to Consider: How to Buy the Best Toilet Paper Roll
While differences between them can be subtle, certain attributes and qualities are associated with toilet tissue sheets. This is what makes each of them special in their own way.
When it comes to buying the right kind of toilet paper for daily use, many people prefer choosing texture over strength. Meanwhile, others may prioritize the way that the bathroom tissue is made. Here is a clear guide that will help you choose and buy the best toilet paper for regular use.
- Strength: Toilet paper strength is mainly described as the puncture resistance of the toilet paper. You can easily tell if the paper is hard by touching it. While there are many different types of toilet paper, they also have varying strength levels.
- Plies: You must have often noticed that some toilet paper rolls contain numerous separate layers of paper. These layers are called plies, and their amount differs in different varieties of toilet paper. The plies also determine the thickness and strength of the toilet paper.
- Chlorine content: A majority of the toilet paper that was manufactured initially contained chlorine to bleach the paper. Chlorine-free toilet paper also started being produced because chlorine has many environmental concerns associated with it. Another reason why you don’t want chlorine in your toilet paper is that chlorine may cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin.
- Softness: Some types of toilet paper feel soft to the touch and can be described as super silky. While it depends on personal preferences, you can check the toilet paper you buy for softness by either touching it or rubbing it against your skin.
- Green factor: Many toilet paper companies are trying to be ‘green’ by producing the kind of toilet paper that is most environmentally friendly. A prime example of this is the septic-safe recycled toilet paper. This type is made with the help of recycled products, which means that it causes the least amount of environmental damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Different Types of Toilet Paper?
Yes, there are several different types of toilet paper, including 1-ply, 2-ply, and 3-ply toilet paper, as well as bamboo, recycled, unbleached, brown, and luxury. Toilet paper varies in thickness, softness, sustainability, and eco-friendliness that suit different needs and preferences.
Which Is the Best Toilet Paper?
The best toilet paper depends on your priorities, although it’s best to use a 2-ply or 3-ply toilet paper for softness, bamboo for sustainability, and septic-safe tissue if you have a septic tank. The optimal toilet paper provides your ideal blend of comfort, strength, absorbency, and eco-friendliness.
What Type of Paper Is Used For Toilet Paper?
Most conventional toilet paper is made from virgin tree pulp or recycled paper pulp. However, some more sustainable options use alternative materials like bamboo or sugarcane pulp.
Bamboo toilet paper utilizes pulp from the fast-growing bamboo plant while biodegradable toilet paper uses bagasse, a pulp from sugarcane plants or other sustainable materials.
Conclusion
Consider key factors like ply, materials, strength, softness and your plumbing when choosing between the many varieties of toilet paper. Whether you choose a traditional or premium toilet paper, selecting the optimal toilet paper type results in comfort, savings, and avoiding plumbing disasters or skin irritation.
