Why Is Toilet Paper White?

Why Is Toilet Paper White? The Ultimate Toilet Paper Guide.

Question: Why Is Toilet Paper White?

Probably the most common question about surrounding toilet paper is [Why is the color always white?".

Well believe it or not this has not always been the case. In fact, colored toilet paper was first put on the market in the 1950`s and became popular in the 1970`s. Homeowners were attracted to this toilet paper because they could color coordinate their toilet paper with their bathrooms. Popular colors at the time were pink, blue, yellow, green, peach, and black. Unfortunately there were some unfortunate implications that caused the demise of colored toilet paper.

• It turns out the dye in colored toilet paper had several negative consequences for both the users and producers.
• It made colored toilet paper too expensive to produce than it`s white counterpart. Demand for colored rolls was shrinking as well.
• Many doctors at the time began to associate it with increased health risks. Such risks included skin irritation, cervical cancer, urinary tract infections, rectal issues and others
• Dye didn`t allow colored toilet paper to decompose as quickly. This means it was more likely to clog up septic tanks it was flushed down.

Question: What Did People Use Before Toilet Paper Was Invented?

It`s a truly disturbing thought indeed. While missing toilet paper may be a mild inconvenience for us, this was a harsh reality for our not-so-lucky forefathers. Throughout the years, different cultures experimented with multiple substitutes and not too many of them are pleasant:

• Ancient Greeks: Clay & Stone
• Romans: Sponges tied to sticks. These were communal.
• Colonial Americans: Discarded Reading Material and Corn Cobs. Yes, you read that correctly.
• Others: Grass, Leaves, Fur, the Hand

In fact, many countries today still don`t use toilet paper. Countries such as India only use water to cleanse themselves and view the use of toilet paper as an unsanitary practice.

Question: What Is Toilet Paper Made Out Of? How Is It Made?

Toilet paper is usually made from recyclable paper. The recycled paper is then mixed in with water to create a toilet paper [pulp".

Question: Why Does Toilet Paper Have Patterns?

We assume this questions gets asked because because most people probably don`t care what`s imprinted on their toilet paper. The majority of us would probably be fine using plain ol` white toilet paper without any type of designs. However, we believe that these patterns are used for two things.

• To signal freshness to the user
• To implement branding strategies

Having the designs on them is a way to make the toilet paper more aesthetically pleasing to the consumer. These patterns can be a way for the different toilet paper manufacturers to differentiate their brand and make their products seem more elegant and elite.

Question: How Does Toilet Paper Dissolve When Facial Tissues and Paper Towels Don`t?

How toilet paper dissolves is dependent on the length of it`s fibres. Facial tissues and wet wipes both contain longer fibres that increase their sturdiness but make it harder to dissolve. Toilet paper has shorter fibres so it is easier for it to break up when exposed to water.

Question: Is Toilet Paper Biodegradable?

Yes, toilet paper is in fact biodegradable. The wood pulp naturally breaks down overtime allowing it to leave zero traces in the environment.