From secretly appreciating those odd little toilet paper arrows in hotel rooms, to being faintly nauseated by the sight of a used roll*, I’ve always been a little bit weird about the humble toilet roll. The paper has to go over the top of the roll, it has to be white, I’m (shhhh) just not that into the recycled stuff and for the love of god, don’t call it ‘t.p.’. In addition, I cannot enter into discussions about folding and scrunching… I just can’t. And, please, take your patterns elsewhere, I cannot look.
In Africa and the Middle East and most of Asia, toilet rolls are few and far between. To be honest, those Italians aren’t that big on keeping the toilet well stocked either. In all these places, I went, I saw, I walked around with an entire toilet roll in my pocket, just in case. I did. Big pockets.
99% of the time, wherever I am, I am the one to change the toilet roll. Doing a roll changeover appears to be my life’s work and I’m no shirker. Nothing riles me more than seeing two mangy squares still attached to an otherwise empty roll. Seriously, what is that? Is toilet paper so laborious to change that we have to fake a full roll, just to get out of changing it? The two-sheets-left act is just so calculated, so stingy. It says a lot about a person… but what, I’m not exactly sure.
Too much?
Where do you stand (sit) on toilet paper? White? Patterned? Recycled?
Where do you stand (sit) on toilet paper? White? Patterned? Recycled?
Any odd little habits you’d like to share?
* Even used rolls used as beautifully as in the Yuken Teruya artwork pictured here. Even them!
[Toilet roll tree by Yuken Teruya]
MomAgain@40 says
I just loves it being double-layered! Then I am the Princess on my Throne! π
Kellie says
No recycled stuff over here either. The thought makes me shudder.
Roll over the top, nothing scented and no more than two ply or Im not interested.
Miss Pink says
Recycled? As in you dry it out after you’ve used it so you can use it again?
No thanks.
I have heard of “family cloth” which is basically bits of cloth that you wash and re-use as toilet paper. While i’m ok with my kids, who are still young, doing this (we use cloth nappies and cloth wipes in this house, and Greenie is toilet training mind you) but the thought of washing Mr Blacks used poo wipes? Gag.
I think i will stick to wasting that bit of paper as my indulgence.
As for quirks, paper must always come over the top. If it comes from underneath i swap it over. Yep even at friends places.
Anna Bartlett says
I always by the double length rolls, because then I change them less often. Yes, it has to be white, yes, it has to go over the top of the roll, yes, it has to be plentiful. My daughter has just taken to painting the empty rolls (a ‘nicer’ word than ‘used’ I’m thinking) so they’re taking over the house. Not sure about it at all.
Love those cut outs, but imagine the time spent bending over… a toilet roll.
A Farmer's Wife says
White, that quilted stuff and no patterns.
Not so fussed if it goes over or under the roll.
Totally agree with you re leaving two sheets. Annoying.
Kerry says
I’m with you on every single point. I used to have a mother-in-law who would come and change my toilet roll so it wasn’t over the top of the roll just to annoy me. Please note the past tense!
Naturally Carol says
I like to support Aussie industry so it’s always Sorbent or Kleenex…which ever I can get on special. I don’t mind patterned but it has to be one I’m not tired of or has the colour/design right or white. I like the empty rolls to be disposed of swiftly in the bin..not on the floor of the loo. If I was a gardener though I’d use them for potting seeds or seedlings.
kirsty@shoproomstudio says
i like it white, recycled (not on site), 2 layers, not smelling like roses or anything else, over the top, and i’m the chief poo ticket changer round here too!
x
Diminishing Lucy says
Cannot believe I am leaving you a comment on toilet paper.
Kleenex Cottonelle Double Length.
I was an Andrex Puppy child TV star. I know my loo paper…
xx
Mrs BC says
White, no patterns, paper over the top – I will change this no matter where I am & I am certainly the only one to refill the loo roll at home. Can I also complain that I am the only one to understand the use of a toilet brush!!! Not so keen on empty rolls for kiddy craft but have just made a mega seed planter out of empty rolls that I am pretty happy with.
x
Flaming Nora says
With you on this one, how hard can it be to change over an empty toilet roll. I insist on white. The sight of the shelf above the toilet well stocked with new rolls makes me happy, and when it drops to below 3 rolls I start to get an anxious painicky feeling and dash out to buy more. My other half thinks I’m insane, but I know better.
Kymmie says
Agree, agree, agree! It must be white, rolled over (not under) and non-recycled. Double roll, triple layered. I’m a cheapie when it comes to my shopping budget, but this is not where I do my saving!
There. Now everyone knows that I recycle pretty much everything… except toilet paper.
I love that we can talk toilet on your blog! xx
Vanessa says
White. Thick. Folded over.Non recycled.
Not. Negotiable.
Fox in the City says
It has to be a minimum two-ply, white, rolled over the top (I have been known to “fix it” if it is rolled the other way). And I must admit, that I am not a fan of the recycled stuff myself, it is just too scratchy (sorry if that is tmi).
Jenn
Sarah says
I usually buy the unbleached, recycled stuff. I’m really not fussy about what my toilet paper looks like and I’d prefer it if wiping my bottom didn’t require trees to be sacrificed (I love trees more than loo paper). I really don’t like the little individual paper sheets you get in public loos. They have no, um, absorbency.
74 Lime Lane says
definitely white, and I like the double rolls too for the reason mentioned above!
Mama of 2 boys says
Haha! Awesome! Timely post, as I find myself in a daily battle with my 10 month old over the toilet roll. He is obsessed with sneaking into the bathroom, full speed crawling, to pull the roll down! It drives me to drink!
But as for the look and feel. I’m with you… don’t do the recycled stuff, as environmentally unfriendly as that may be. I like a crisp white also, the Kleenex cottonelle is my personal fave.
AND I love those ‘extra’ long rolls… makes for fewer change overs.
I almost can’t believe I just shared all of that ;o)
Michele says
Why is it so hard for anyone else to change the darn thing or if they do why does the empty roll end up on the window sill or floor. There is a BIN people!!!!! Definitely MOST definitely has to go over (hang from the top not under) and I have to change it too compulsively no matter where i am. And i thought I was the only one so thankyou fellow over the toppers. I dont think saying we are Anal would be appropriate in this context but I feel some comfort in the fact that I am not the only crazy nutter than feels compelled to do this and not just in my home but whereever I go, and yes white unscented no patterns or anything too fancy but please no not the recyled stuff nor the novelty stuff (santas? Crosswords? Sudoko????)and please dont get me started on that shiny kind of toilet paper that comes in little squares in some public toilets and I am sure has some sort of teflon coating!! Whatever it is I dont think it has been tested for its intended purpose. And I do love those cute puppies on the ads but I dont think enough to make me buy their product – but cuteness!
The best thing I have ever seen done with a humble toilet roll (apart from my childrens finger puppets or my mums Christmas Crackers ) are these beauties seen here by artist Anastasia Elias clever girl – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1242093/Art-roll-The-toilet-paper-tubes-life-inside-them.htmlimpressive> Mmaybe we can train family members big and small to get cracking on some amazing work of art like this with all those discarded rolls instead of leaving them laying around the toilet waiting for us to grumpily pick up and toss out.
Michele says
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1242093/Art-roll-The-toilet-paper-tubes-life-inside-them.html
Glen says
couldn’t give a monkey’s, as long as there is plenty of it and it’s not those shiny slippery squares in a box we used to have at school.
btw – I have thought and thought but cannot come even close to working out what ‘t.p.’ is supposed to be?
Marion Williams-Bennett says
Thank you for posting on this important topic, one that is close to my, um heart!
My husband buys the cheapest toilet paper. Drives me nuts. I buy the extra soft, extra lovely toilet paper. It’s a small bit of pampering in the midst of the crazy day. If I ca’tn have privacy in the bathroom, the least I can have it lovely, white, soft toilet paper!
ForeverRhonda says
I am very particular about toilet paper as well. No recycled or little flowers on it for me either. I don’t like to buy the most expensive one because well really…and of course one cannot buy the cheapest brand either. It takes me forever on the toilet paper aisle in the market. And it drives The Hubs insane.
ForeverRhonda says
Oh I forgot to chime in on paper over the top and I believe that The Hubs does it wrong just so that I won’t leave him to do it ever again. Of which his plan worked.
Mommy Lisa says
White and over. Just no Charmin, it hurts my tushy!
Mama Pea Pod says
Hmmm, nobody’s mentioned the perfumed kind yet… is that a European thing? Anyway, I hate it. Plain, white, and soft as can be (which isn’t very soft here in Europe, they’re way into the recycled kind here). My husband’s grandmother buys it so recycled that you can often actually see the Chinese newsprint characters on it! … Ouch.
(I can’t believe I just commented on a post about toilet paper – and I really can’t believe that I’m the 25th person to do so!)
Mrs Average says
Is there some psychologist reading on an makingsweeping statements about our lives from our toilet roll choices?
It has to be white, it has to be plain, not recycled (sorry environmentalists), and it has to be under….. but Mr A likes over (funny how toilet roll can cause irritation – not literally – but because Mr A and I cant agree!).
Renee says
In my house I have a few *ahem* slight quirks. My teatowell draw is overflowing (I’m always buying new ones) and the shelf in my toilet is always stacked 3 high and 5 wide with toilet rolls. I love the stuff that feels like cotton, pure white, has to come over the top. I love the extra long rolls. It is my pet hate when ‘people’ (read my husband) leave the cardboard rolls on the floor/on the windowsill when he is walking past the bathroom bin to wash his hands anyhow!? It’s also particularly tough now that my 3 year old is frequenting our loo – far too much of it seems to be used to mop up ‘spillage’. Hmm. Great post for a Wednesday mornings reading π
Rebekah says
Haha great post. Definitely has to be rolled from the top. I’ll change it every time if the boys happen to have changed it.
But I always buy recycled, yes I too prefer my trees over a little comfort on my bits. After all it’s only a very brief experience and I feel like I’m doing my bit by buying recycled π
BabyMac says
OF COURSE the roll has to go over. Of COURSE the paper has to be white. And OF COURSE there can be NO patterns. I agree with you on each and every point and I have accepted that this is part of my life’s duty to keep this in order.
I have been known to change over rolls from under the over. Because it’s WRONG.
Suzi says
Ahh toilet paper, a necessary evil that men seem to be allergic to replacing, always runs out when you have visitors and there are possibly more varieties of it than milk.
Bonus Maxabella, you can win a tonn of the bleached white good stuff over at http://www.digitalparents.com.au at the moment!
So Now What? says
I’m a bit of a 6 pack buyer. False economy really when we have 5 people constantly wiping their arse in this family. But for some reason that 6 packaged in paper attracts me. God, what is wrong with me.
Tammi says
Hehe, timely as our little one is rather fond of pulling off a whole roll to hide in if given the chance π
Plain white and over!!
I am the only one to replace rolls in this house and on the rare occasion I don’t the old roll is left in the loo…grrrr.
alliecat says
It truly is a modern luxury. I did the recycled thing for a while – the one with the frogs on it, so not your cup of tea! It was ok, but I’ve gone back to the proper stuff now. Scented, 2 ply, printed doesnt phase me, but double length is too big to fit into my holder, so I hate when I accidentally buy those. Also now I buy in the large family size quantities that I used to bemusedly watch other women do….
We were recently on holidays with my SIL and family. She cane out of the toilet asking whcih MAN or CHILD left the empty roll hanging. I thanked her for not accusing ME as she knew as well as I did it would never be one of us leaving someone else hanging!
Btw, did you even watch Seinfeld? “Not a square to spare?” still makes me giggle! Bathroom etiquette anyone?!
alliecat says
Oh, also, MUST be over the top, but I did think I was in the monority til going back and reading all the replies. Plus now seeing now many people hate patterns might have to rethink my purchases when wanting to keep guests comfortable. Have to say though I never notice what I use at other people’s houses….
ange_moore says
Oh, I hate the “draper’s” who leave two measly sheets on the top of the roll. And I also get annoyed by the person who changes the roll and then leaves the cardboard tube behind the toilet – what’s with that!
I like plain white but prefer recycled (Safe is pretty good and you wouldn’t really know that it’s recycled in my view).
And like you, I’m always the one to change the roll – what’s with that?
Life In A Pink Fibro says
I would comment but I’m too busy standing in awe at the fact that you got an ENTIRE blog post out of toilet paper.
Britt @ absolute alaia says
Kleenex double layered all the way here and it has to be white. It has to face over the roll and I now have a cute little wicker basket sitting next to the toilet with fresh rolls and so the Husband can put the used ones in it instead of leaving them lying around. Nearly divorced him over that!
Jodi Gibson says
Agree with you 100%. My pet hate is changing the toilet roll. For God’s sakes is it that hard???? Especially when it is right next to you!!!
I also have a little habit of having to fold the paper into those fancy triangles at the hotels each time I go…anywhere. Sad but true!
Shelley says
I’m with your sis – congrats on getting a whole blog post out of toilet paper! Sequel on paper towel, trilogy with tissues? π
And for the record…white rolls, folded over not under. Self patterned white is okay, but those flowers and marine prints? Please no!!!! xx
Beck says
Kleenex cottonele toilet paper is prefered – =Marine or white print only.
Virginia says
Heheheh!! LOL. Love it because I agree with everything! HATE the paper coming under the roll. I even change it over at people’s houses because it drives me nuts….oops.
Michelle @ The Crafty Little Fox says
I am always the one to change the toilet paper and always the one to get stuck with no more rolls left! Grrr.
I don’t want toilet paper with colors and fancy prints. Plain white will do. And what is with scented toilet paper? Seriously it is no the purpose of toilet paper to smell nice. When we have used it it’s not going to matter if it once smelt marine fresh or gardenia boquet. Such silliness.
Jen says
Wow, all these comments, and yet no one has mentioned that dog print “training” toilet paper. Have you seen it? It has little dogs, and then paw prints for 3 or so squares, and then another dog, so that kids are suposed to know when to stop and tear the paper off. We went through a time of using this with toilet training but thankfully we seem to be back to using white, soft, folded over the top like most of you. I am lucky enough to have a house cleaner and she folds it into little triangle points when she cleans, love it, I can pretend I’m staying in a hotel somewhere for a few moments. Our toilet roll holder fell off the wall and hasn’t been replaced yet, so we just have a cane basket on the floor next to the loo, I get nervous too when supplies in it drop to about less than 3 rolls. With the basket, it annoys me when people start to use a new roll if the old one hasn’t been finished yet. Oh the etiquette issues involved in this post, congratulations!
amberlee says
Not fussy really… i often run out and use tissues…. Most of these things are new issues to me!! Oh actually i hate scented toilet paper, it is not right for the lady bits. P.s just voted for you, good luck!
Being Me says
Oh. My god. Snap!!! On just about everything! I don’t care to know about folding/scrunching, I despise toilet rolls being left around although I don’t have a weird thing about it if they are, I can’t STAND “t.p.” as the polite/correct way to talk about it (WTF?) and patterns? Pffft. AND if I find a toilet roll facing the wrong way, I turn it the right way round – as you’ve described.
skymum @Pursuit of Happiness says
Hey Maxabella,
I’m just dropping by to let you know that I have nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger award! Have a look at your nomination here: http://skymum-pursuitofhappiness.blogspot.com/2011/05/longest-post-in-history-of-blogging-my.html
Anita says
I’m sure noone else here knows HOW to change a toilet roll; seriously, they all seem to pull the new roll off the stand, use it and leave it sitting atop the bathroom vanity! What is with that?! Is it really so hard to push the ends of the roll holder together and hang a new roll?