# 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:** 15\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/81 "2013-11-18T20:26:36Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Toilet paper is sold in a confusing mess of single vs double rolls, differing number of sheets per roll, single vs double ply…So how do you find which is cheapest? I’m really happy with Walmart’s Great Value Ultra Strong bathroom tissue. Not just because it’s cheap (though it is) but because it’s almost a perfect blend of soft and strong. ---
**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 18, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/82 "2013-11-18T20:56:31Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > Sorry if I sound short of patience … Thanks for the info. No, it’s not apparent, if you’ve never done it. And _I’VE_ never made any claims about Americans’ hygiene habits. Would have been just as informative without the attitude. ---
**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 18, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/83 "2013-11-18T21:06:09Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > …I have never used that spout, just used the bidet as a basin with water. This basin in which you dunk your fundament; how often does it get sanitized? Does each person wash it out with anti-bacterial cleaner so it is clean for the next person? Or do you sanitize it each time before you use it? Or do you just swish your backside in other people’s ass germs? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/84 "2013-11-18T21:16:17Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > 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. > [@sailor](#): > > So already over 400 years ago it was considered insulting to suggest someone might not have adequate perianal hygiene. Still is. > [@sailor](#): > > With my right hand I take soap and lather my hand and butthole and clean. Now wait, you’re chastizing others about cleaning the tail end of the digestive tract but all the while you rub the same hands on fresh feces that you’ll use to eat with, to shake other people’s hands with? Do you think that after doing that an old bar of soap brings your hands to a sterile state? Everytime I shower I use a soapy wash cloth to clean very well all around there. That does one hell of a lot better job cleaning than a raw hand, plus the hand remains a layer away. If I did what you do I’d at least keep a pair of disposable latex gloves around and after discarding them still wash the crap out of my hands. Spraying with a bidet makes sense but I had no idea people rub around there with their hands too. > [@sailor](#): > > Sorry if I sound short of patience but really, I’ve spent my adult life listening to Americans say their hygienic habits are so superior to Europeans. Yes, it used to be part of a Hallmark card campaign but it’s been years ago now. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/85 "2013-11-18T21:31:58Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Personally, I don’t care for the European style bidets. It doesn’t make sense that they’re a separate fixture. The ones I encountered in Egypt, Japan, and India, where they are the same unit as the toilet if not attached with a hose and spray, are my preferred type. > > [The ones we installed that I mentioned upthread](http://www.amazon.com/LUXE-Bidet-Vi-110-Non-Electric-Mechanical/dp/B005IT4C6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384359929&sr=8-1&keywords=bidet) are quite simple to use. Before wiping, while still staying seated, I turn on the water flow. It’s a high powered jet of water that is pre-aimed for the anus area. A little bit of leaning back and forth and the area is washed pretty much clean. I’ve never used soap or my hand for that matter as the stream is powerful enough. I wait about 30 seconds for a little drip dry and then wipe it dry with toilet paper. But isn’t that cold? ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/86 "2013-11-18T21:51:00Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > But isn’t that cold? Honestly, it is at first, but you get used to it. There are attachable bidets that can heat the water first but require a plug-in. ---
**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 18, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/87 "2013-11-18T22:45:27Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > [snip]…but require a plug-in. As it were. I couldn’t help myself. I’m sorry… ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/88 "2013-11-18T23:41:41Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Personally, I don’t care for the European style bidets. It doesn’t make sense that they’re a separate fixture. The ones I encountered in Egypt, Japan, and India, where they are the same unit as the toilet if not attached with a hose and spray, are my preferred type. > > [The ones we installed that I mentioned upthread](http://www.amazon.com/LUXE-Bidet-Vi-110-Non-Electric-Mechanical/dp/B005IT4C6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384359929&sr=8-1&keywords=bidet) are quite simple to use. Before wiping, while still staying seated, I turn on the water flow. It’s a high powered jet of water that is pre-aimed for the anus area. A little bit of leaning back and forth and the area is washed pretty much clean. I’ve never used soap or my hand for that matter as the stream is powerful enough. I wait about 30 seconds for a little drip dry and then wipe it dry with toilet paper. Agreement. For all of **sailor** ’s arrogance, a separate bidet where you have to transfer yourself after pooping but before cleaning is…sub optimal. I far prefer the methods you’ve outlined. Of course, I’m from India. We’ve been washing our butts before the hose and spray made it convenient 🙂 Urban households almost all have either the toilet seat attachment or the separate hose and spray(for those having trouble picturing this, it’s like a hand shower. Here’s a picture - [http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7589274756\_7af4dc3793\_z.jpg](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7589274756_7af4dc3793_z.jpg) - I found on the internet) The spray is the kind that I personally use. It’s easier to direct. As St.Pauler says, wash thoroughly, wait a [noparse]little(maybe throw in a little jiggle to drip off more of the water:) [/noparse]and wipe. SO much better than toilet paper. You feel cleaner, it’s faster, and less icky throughout. I hate visiting toilet paper only countries. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/89 "2013-11-19T01:06:03Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > Agreement. For all of **sailor** ’s arrogance, a separate bidet where you have to transfer yourself after pooping but before cleaning is…sub optimal. > > I far prefer the methods you’ve outlined. Of course, I’m from India. We’ve been washing our butts before the hose and spray made it convenient 🙂 Urban households almost all have either the toilet seat attachment or the separate hose and spray(for those having trouble picturing this, it’s like a hand shower. Here’s a picture - [http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7589274756\_7af4dc3793\_z.jpg](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7589274756_7af4dc3793_z.jpg) - I found on the internet) > The spray is the kind that I personally use. It’s easier to direct. As St.Pauler says, wash thoroughly, wait a [noparse]little(maybe throw in a little jiggle to drip off more of the water:) [/noparse]and wipe. SO much better than toilet paper. You feel cleaner, it’s faster, and less icky throughout. I hate visiting toilet paper only countries. See, now the spray kind where you can aim the direction \*really \*makes me wonder if there’s a line at the ladies’ room and people taking rather longer than they need to for cleanliness. At least, I know US ladies quite enjoy the hand held shower spray, ifyouknowwhatImean. 😉 I would have assumed that spray nozzle was for ease in cleaning the bathroom, but after you’d explained it’s actual use, I think I’d quite like it. Makes much more sense than sitz baths after every toileting. ---
**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 19, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/90 "2013-11-19T02:00:45Z")
Taking care of this business at a public restroom would certainly be easier if a woman always wore dresses/skirts and stopped wearing panties (and pantyhose, which I suspect many of us have already stopped). I still have a hard time picturing the whole scenario. I can’t imagine using a handheld sprayer while basically fully clothed (with only the relevant bits exposed) and NOT getting water all over my clothes and everything. I guess I need video. I need lots of videos. Of different people in different garb. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/91 "2013-11-19T04:41:33Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > When I am forced to use a bathroom without a bidet I can use a bucket quite easily. The difference is that I cannot sit on the bucket and that the bucket is lower. So I crouch with one foot back and one foot forward and it works just as well. If there is no other option I will use the bathtub or shower but this is much more of a hassle. I cannot believe I am the one asking this question but why a bucket or the shower? is the sink broken? (I mean if you really gotta wash your butt without the bidet or a full naked shower wouldnt that be the next logical step? sit on edge with ass in the bowl and wash away?) ---
**Author:** ![drew870mitchell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drew870mitchell/32/3946_2.png) [@drew870mitchell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drew870mitchell)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/92 "2013-11-19T06:12:37Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever seen somebody so proud of touching his own shit particles. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/93 "2013-11-19T14:24:56Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Honestly, it is at first, but you get used to it. There are attachable bidets that can heat the water first but require a plug-in. … I do not believe that is anything I could ever get used to. And I’ve gotten used to a lot of things in my lifetime. Cell phones. Sharing a bed with another person. The idea of having kids. The Tea Party. But purposefully spraying icy water on my most icy-water-averse parts? No. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/94 "2013-11-19T19:08:13Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Taking care of this business at a public restroom would certainly be easier if a woman always wore dresses/skirts and stopped wearing panties (and pantyhose, which I suspect many of us have already stopped). > > I still have a hard time picturing the whole scenario. I can’t imagine using a handheld sprayer while basically fully clothed (with only the relevant bits exposed) and NOT getting water all over my clothes and everything. > > I guess I need video. I need lots of videos. Of different people in different garb. It’s not hard, really. If you poop and clean with toilet paper, the relevant bits are already as exposed as they need to be, and underwear/clothes don’t get in the way. If they didn’t get in the way of the poop or the toilet paper, they won’t get in the way of the spray.(I can’t speak of women-specific clothes items, not having any experience, though panties are similar enough to briefs that I think there shouldn’t be a problem). The spray has a a flexible hose. Reach around with the spray nozzle the same way you would with toilet paper. Hold at slight distance, spray. Ensure clean and dry with TP. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789/95 "2013-11-19T19:19:09Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > See, now the spray kind where you can aim the direction \*really \*makes me wonder if there’s a line at the ladies’ room and people taking rather longer than they need to for cleanliness. At least, I know US ladies quite enjoy the hand held shower spray, ifyouknowwhatImean. 😉 Heh. A female friend told me that the spray could be useful for more than it was intended. She made the discovery quite accidentally with the fixed attachment kind which needs a little leaning back and forth. I was surprised. > [@](#): > > I would have assumed that spray nozzle was for ease in cleaning the bathroom, but after you’d explained it’s actual use, I think I’d quite like it. Makes much more sense than sitz baths after every toileting. Many Americans I know who’ve experienced it end up being converts. The picture I linked to was from the first link I found on Google, apparently an American person’s blog related something similar > **[Indonesian bathrooms and the beauty of the "butt hose" • Offbeat Home & Life](https://offbeathome.com/indonesian-bathrooms/)** > > Initially, the idea of forgoing toilet paper and embracing the butt hose made me cringe. It didn't take long, though, for me to adapt — and now I'm a total convert. When we visit countries that use toilet paper, I feel gross and dirty. I suffer from... > [@](#): > > Initially, the idea of forgoing toilet paper and embracing the butt hose made me cringe. It didn’t take long, though, for me to adapt — and now I’m a total convert. When we visit countries that use toilet paper, I feel gross and dirty. I suffer from butt hose withdrawals! Sorry about the double posts, the proxy I need to use to access the board breaks multiquote. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-find-the-cheapest-toilet-paper/673789.md?page=4)