# How Do You Find the Cheapest Toilet Paper? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 13, 2013, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789 "2013-11-13T04:46:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/41 "2013-11-13T18:44:19Z")
> [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > Buy used? Or lease. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/42 "2013-11-13T18:50:00Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > I think a bidet is, long-term, the most cost-effective way to clean your rumpus. Rinse til it’s clean, then wipe dry once. The end! Rinse? You don’t use soap? I have used a bidet, soap and water since I was a kid and cannot imagine doing without. I never understood how or why Americans act so superior in matters of hygiene with respect to Europeans. Really. They smear feces around their buttholes and then their underwear. This is like handling animal excrement and then just wiping your hands against the bark of a tree before eating your lunch. I was about 4 years old when I was taught that was just not enough and using soap and water was necessary. There is no way I am getting dressed again without washing my butt with soap and water thankyouverymuch. And my lovers better do the same thing if they expect me to go anywhere near that neighborhood. In countries where bidets are not available you can always take a shower but I have found I can use a bucket very very easily and conveniently. Crouch over the bucket with one foot forward and one back and you are right over the bucket. Most hotels will have a waste basket in the bathroom which is a bucket which will hold water. And you need to wash your hands anyway so why not wash your butt as well? And the only meaningful way to compare how much toilet paper you are getting is by weight. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/43 "2013-11-13T18:52:55Z")
I get the cheapest 1000 sheet roll stuff I can find. I do a cents/square feet cost analysis. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/44 "2013-11-13T18:53:31Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > Rinse? You don’t use soap? > > I have used a bidet, soap and water since I was a kid and cannot imagine doing without. I never understood how or why Americans act so superior in matters of hygiene with respect to Europeans. Really. They smear feces around their buttholes and then their underwear. This is like handling animal excrement and then just wiping your hands against the bark of a tree before eating your lunch. I was about 4 years old when I was taught that was just not enough and using soap and water was necessary. There is no way I am getting dressed again without washing my butt with soap and water thankyouverymuch. And my lovers better do the same thing if they expect me to go anywhere near that neighborhood. > > In countries where bidets are not available you can always take a shower but I have found I can use a bucket very very easily and conveniently. Crouch over the bucket with one foot forward and one back and you are right over the bucket. Most hotels will have a waste basket in the bathroom which is a bucket which will hold water. > > And you need to wash your hands anyway so why not wash your butt as well? > > And the only meaningful way to compare how much toilet paper you are getting is by weight. I didn’t know some bidets use soap. That’s nifty 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/45 "2013-11-13T19:07:57Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > I think a bidet is, long-term, the most cost-effective way to clean your rumpus. Rinse til it’s clean, then wipe dry once. The end! > > I don’t have one yet, but I’d like to get one. Almost everywhere I’ve been in Europe, but especially Italy, I’ve seen bidets. Even in public restrooms. I was in a tiny little dive bar in some town I couldn’t pronounce, but sure enough they had a nice bidet in their otherwise crummy bathroom. When did the fascination with super clean bung holes start in Europe, and if it was before the 19th century why didn’t it carry over to America? I know of almost nobody with a bidet and I’ve never seen one in a public or hotel bathroom in the U.S… ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/46 "2013-11-13T19:16:17Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > They give you toilet paper for not having an accident? It’s called “product”, and yes, an accident free month for the whole plant and here comes a case or two. Break a production record, same thing. This is not product theft, it is provided free by the company to the people who make it. In case I wasn’t clear, the wife makes toilet paper for a living, a very good living. The cost at the manufacturer for the company to provide this is very minimal. It’s not like giving away free iPads. We usually have about 4 full cases of each on hand. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/47 "2013-11-13T19:38:36Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > I think a bidet is, long-term, the most cost-effective way to clean your rumpus. Rinse til it’s clean, then wipe dry once. With what? Personally, I prefer the neck of a goose. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/48 "2013-11-13T19:45:54Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > They give you toilet paper for not having an accident? One would think they had the process in reverse… ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/49 "2013-11-13T19:53:13Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Not necessarily true. Although the width of a roll is normally standard, the length of the individual sheet sometimes varies. If you fold at perforations, then a shorter length would allow for more uses per roll. > The TP game is indeed very complicated. A lot of variables. And ya don’t wanna run out of it. Close enough for gummint work. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/50 "2013-11-13T19:53:13Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > I didn’t know some bidets use soap. That’s nifty 🙂 What do you mean? How do you wash your butthole in the shower? Do some showers and bathtubs “use soap”? ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/51 "2013-11-13T19:59:28Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Almost everywhere I’ve been in Europe, but especially Italy, I’ve seen bidets. Even in public restrooms. I was in a tiny little dive bar in some town I couldn’t pronounce, but sure enough they had a nice bidet in their otherwise crummy bathroom. > > When did the fascination with super clean bung holes start in Europe, and if it was before the 19th century why didn’t it carry over to America? I know of almost nobody with a bidet and I’ve never seen one in a public or hotel bathroom in the U.S… Every bathroom in Spain will have one. I believe it was invented around the time of the French Revolution by French nobleman Baron de Bidet who wanted to wash his butthole in a more dignified way ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/52 "2013-11-13T22:14:23Z")
The thing I don’t get about bidets is, isn’t the water cold? And if you have one connected to the water heater, don’t you have to wait for it to warm up? How does that even work? ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/53 "2013-11-13T22:22:13Z")
I use three seashells ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/54 "2013-11-14T01:42:35Z")
Cannot believe no one thought to inquire, “Need answer fast?” ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/55 "2013-11-14T02:17:39Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I don’t focus on the price; for something I wipe my bum with, I focus on whether it is made from recycled fibres or not. I hate the thought of flushing trees down the toilet. I’ve found the CVS Earth Essentials to be the most cost effective (for me) recycled TP. A 12-pack is regularly priced just over 8 bucks and is often on sale for 6. Don’t know how that compares for you, my most northerly neighbor, but might be worth checking out. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/56 "2013-11-14T02:31:35Z")
The question comes in two parts. How many ply is required and, how to work out the economics ? How many ply ? Well it turns out that one ply is too weak, each ply can tear too easily There is a strength added by two ply, as the two layers stuck together are stronger than the sum of the parts. There is no added strength from moving from 2 ply to 3 ply. The way to calculate it ? Well look at the price per 100 sheets. So if you have X (times 100 ) sheets per roll, and Y rolls per pack, then the price per 100 sheets is price / (X \* Y ). OR you could do price per 1000 sheets if you buy 6 packs or larger. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/57 "2013-11-14T02:32:37Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > . . . > > The 4th week, I have to use a ridiculous amount of it to wipe everything that needs wiping, to the point where I seriously fear clogging my plumbing. The smooth texture just doesn’t do a good job making me feel clean enough. That week, I simply switch to something with more texture, and use far fewer linear inches of paper per wipe, and far fewer wipes per toilet expedition. So we keep a roll of something with babies or puppies pictured on the package for weeks when Aunt Flo is coming to visit, and switch back to Scott when the bitch leaves. It also works as an early warning system to let my husband to know when to buy chocolate and foot massage lotion. 😉 > > . . . Let me just be your big sister for a minute. Girl, get yourself one of [these](http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=menstrual+cup&_sop=15). Seriously, It will take a day or two to get used to; but I’m gonna be your new favorite person after that. Pay $10, one time, and you’re set for at _least_ three years. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/58 "2013-11-14T02:34:53Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > The question comes in two parts. > > How many ply is required > > and, > > how to work out the economics ? > How many ply ? > > Well it turns out that one ply is too weak, each ply can tear too easily > > There is a strength added by two ply, as the two layers stuck together are stronger than the sum of the parts. > > There is no added strength from moving from 2 ply to 3 ply. > The way to calculate it ? Well look at the price per 100 sheets. > > So if you have X (times 100 ) sheets per roll, and Y rolls per pack, then the price per 100 sheets is > > price / (X \* Y ). > > OR you could do price per 1000 sheets if you buy 6 packs or larger. Yeah, but the sheets aren’t a standardized size: width maybe, length never. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/59 "2013-11-14T02:36:41Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > The thing I don’t get about bidets is, isn’t the water cold? And if you have one connected to the water heater, don’t you have to wait for it to warm up? How does that even work? It’s a washbasin at lower level. I know it’s hard to believe for some people but we do have hot and cold running water in Europe. You fill enough water at whatever temperature you want, lather, rinse, repeat (or not). Really, you need to have explained how to wash your butt or genitals? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/60 "2013-11-14T03:35:27Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > Really, you need to have explained how to wash your butt or genitals? Ummm…yes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789.md?page=4)