Your eyes are watering, your nose is running like a tap and then the panic sets in: your tissue box is empty. This can’t be happening. 

The junk drawer? Nope. The medicine cabinet? No dice. The glove compartment of your car? Nada.

Just when all hope seems lost, your teary eyes land on it: the bathroom. Could that soft, squishy roll of toilet paper be your saving grace? Let’s find out if that trusty roll is really up to replacing your go-to tissue box! 

Tissue vs toilet paper: what’s the difference?

While tissues and toilet paper look like close cousins, they’re designed for different jobs. Tissues are all about luxury and are made with softer fibres, like cotton. You’ll also find tissues made with bamboo, hemp or sugarcane bagasse. 

So, what's the main difference between tissues and toilet paper? The processing. Tissues get extra refining for finer fibres and tightly packed layers, giving them that silky-smooth finish your nose appreciates. Toilet paper, on the other hand, is built for utility. Its fibres are slightly coarser to balance comfort, strength, and quick disintegration.

Toilet paper is built to multitask, and because its duties are more demanding than pampering your nose, it has more structure. TP has to be soft enough for your tushy, strong enough for your bathroom business and still able to break down quickly to keep your plumbing happy. 

How do absorbency and durability compare?

Tissues (Kleenex or otherwise) are built to soak up moisture, making them your best bet when dealing with endless sniffles and sneezes. Add in the strength of 3-ply to ensure your nose gets premium protection from drips and dribbles.

Toilet paper is built to be more dissolvable — strong enough to do the dirty work but fine enough to break down once it hits water. Toilet paper might handle a sneeze or two in a pinch, but it’s not built to get you through the flu. Try wiping your nose with it all day, and you’ll end up with a mountain of mush quicker than you can say “achoo.”

How does each option affect skin health?

Tissues are the way to go if you want happy skin. Built to soothe your delicate nose when it’s on its tenth sneeze of the day, tissues are super gentle on your skin. They also have a smooth surface to minimize friction, making you less likely to feel irritation, even during long flu days.  

(Pro tip: not all tissues are created equal. Some are packed with scents and dyes that can wreak havoc on sensitive skin, so be sure to read the box.)

Toilet paper, particularly 100% bamboo toilet paper, is sturdy and reliable for its intended job. But when it comes to delicate facial skin, it’s a little rough around the edges. Use it for more than a blow or two, and your skin may dry out.

And let’s not forget hygiene. Flushing the toilet sprays bacteria into the air at speeds of up to 6.6 feet per second, so the toilet paper roll parked next to the bowl might not be the cleanest option for sniffles.

Bottom line: keep those trusty tissues around for your nose — and close the lid when you flush.

What are the cost and environmental considerations?

An average box of tissues has 65 sheets, which is a fraction of what you’ll find on a toilet roll. On this matter alone, toilet paper is the obvious choice for value. 

But here’s the catch: toilet paper wasn’t designed for marathon nose-blowing sessions. That means tearing off more sheets to keep up, significantly changing the cost difference. And when you’re flying through paper, it’s worth considering the environmental impact of what you’re using.

With 100% bamboo tissues and toilet paper, you can rest easy knowing those products are easier on the environment. But don’t forget — the way you dispose of them matters, too.

Toilet paper disintegrates within 1 to 4 minutes of hitting water, passing through pipes and septic tanks without a hitch. Tissues are built with a binding agent to help them retain their shape even after a big honking sneeze, making them far less flushable. 

So, while tissues are a blessing for those “bless you” moments, they belong in the bin, not the bowl. With bamboo toilet paper, you’re taking care of both the environment and your plumbing in one simple step.

When is it okay to use toilet paper instead of tissues?

There are moments when using toilet paper instead of tissues is a solid stand-in. A quick dab for low-maintenance nose woes? No problem. 

But if you’re gearing up for a full-blown allergy attack, you’ll want proper tissues on hand. Toilet paper will handle a sneeze or two but waves the white flag pretty quickly.

Conclusion – Settling the tissue and toilet paper debate

Tissues and toilet paper might come from the same paper family, but their missions are miles apart.

Tissues are soft and sturdy, enough to see you through sneeze number 100. Toilet paper, though? Toilet paper is soft and strong enough for its day job but not the friendliest for noses. 

Tissues are pricier at first glance, but they’re built to go the distance. You’re likely to go through more sheets of TP during allergy season, drawing the products closer in price point. That said, toilet paper’s easy disposal makes it a slightly more eco-friendly option. 

Want to stock up on your sniffle companions without skimping on sustainability? Who Gives A Crap offers forest-friendly tissues that are kind to your nose and the planet. Win-win!