Spending months locked in my house has made two things very clear to me. Firstly, denim pants (or any other uncomfortable item of clothing) are obsolete. Secondly, I’m really, really good at arguing with myself. You may call it critical thinking, but I call it a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
I’ve been going back and forth with myself about one issue every time I change my toilet roll. It’s a toilet tissue issue, the most serious of toilet issues. So I decided to seek outside opinions and asked my friends to weigh in. The response? Mixed. I even asked Google. And now, I’m laying the points out before you. Is there a really right way to hang your toilet paper roll?
In favor of draping your toilet paper over
Members of the toilet paper community, there’s no disputing the fact that draping your toilet paper over gives you easier access to tear off the number of sheets required for your number ones, twos, and threes (don’t ask). With the end of the toilet paper on top, you can easily see where to grab and pull – without needing to fumble around awkwardly while someone’s knocking at the door. Occupied!
Now consider my second point: hanging the toilet paper over reduces the spread of bacteria from fellow poopers, which can lead to very upset stomachs. Science says! When you reach for the toilet paper, you’ve got little bits of bacteria all over your hands. And if that toilet paper is hung under, there’s a high chance your fingers will brush against the wall. And so will the next person’s and the next person’s, adding to the cocktail of bacteria brewing. Hanging over reduces the amount of contact you’ll have with the wall and your bathroom buddies.
If that’s not enough to make you want to wash your hands for twenty minutes straight and re-hang every loo roll you come across, my third and final point might push you over the line. The inventor of toilet paper, Seth Wheeler, hangs his over! (Although, I personally take the inventor argument with a grain of salt – the inventor of GIFs pronounces them “jifs”, which I still refuse to accept.)
In favor of hanging your toilet paper under
Let’s not beat around the bush: leaving your toilet paper hanging under is considered tidier, with the end of the roll hidden from view. If you like a tidy appearance but you’re partial to dinner parties , this option might be for you. Although, you could also just hang it over, tuck the end in a tiny triangle, and pretend you’re living in a hotel. I recommend putting chocolate on your pillow too, for the full 5-star experience. (Does anyone know how to origami a towel into a swan?)
My second point might be the one that settles this once and for all. Cats. If you have one, you’ll know what I mean. Those pesky little paws. And have you seen the size of those claws!? Hang your toilet paper over, and one hook is all it takes for your entire bathroom to look like a paper shredder got into a fight with an Egyptian mummy.
And to take it home, I present you my third and final point for hanging your toilet paper under: kids. For further explanation, see cats.
Settling the great toilet paper debate once and for all
Honestly, it all comes down to personal preference. As long as you’re washing your hands, being kind to the planet and looking after your bottom (with our super soft loo roll), we don’t mind which way you hang!
Under or over? Tell us what you prefer in the comments below (and why). Ready to upgrade your toilet paper game? Shop our super soft toilet paper now and experience the difference!
FAQs
1. Does hanging a roll of toilet paper over or under affect bathroom hygiene?
A little. Hanging it over can limit how often hands touch the wall, but as long as you wash your hands, both options work just fine.
2. Why do people care so much about toilet paper etiquette?
Bathroom habits are personal, and once someone picks a routine, it becomes part of how they like their home to feel. Hence the lifelong debates.
3. Do pets or kids influence which way people hang toilet paper?
Yes. Cats and toddlers see loose toilet paper as a toy, so many households choose the under method to avoid daily cleanup.
4. Did the inventor of toilet paper intend for it to hang over?
Yes. The original patent shows the over method, although that does not mean everyone needs to follow it. Your bathroom, your rules.
5. Which way keeps the bathroom looking neater?
The under method hides the loose end for a cleaner look, but folding the over end into a little triangle can make your bathroom feel hotel fancy.