# Kleenex boxes - Am I nuts or is this normal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 18, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698 "2020-07-18T20:22:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/41 "2020-07-20T01:43:09Z")
I only have “seasonal” allergies in the sense that they act up during the spring, summer, fall, and winter; oh the joys of being allergic to plants, trees, dust, and mold. I have a box of tissues in my bedroom, one on the bathroom vanity, and one in my office. Once in a while, though not now, there’s another box in the living room. 11 boxes is really impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/42 "2020-07-20T01:59:55Z")
1200 sq-ft condo and one box of kleenex stuffed into an inconvenient drawer. I can’t remember the last time I replaced the box; it must be at least two years. Dunno why y’all have such drippy noses. I get a cold about once a year and that’s the only time I really need them except when eating something exceptionally spicy (and then I probably just use a napkin). Screwdrivers however I have stuffed just about everywhere. And I still find myself short of them. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/43 "2020-07-20T02:06:45Z")
Two of us, in a two bedroom house. I’ve got pretty hefty seasonal allergies, but I’m usually content to snuffle\*. I see two open Kleenex containers - one in the living room, one on my nightstand. I certainly understand having multiple open boxes - who wants to go wandering, when this stuff is so cheap, and can be put anywhere there’s space? \*Now that I think about it, I’m amazed my wife hasn’t murdered me… 😆 ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/44 "2020-07-20T03:18:30Z")
I have three open boxes total. If I were ultra-sneezy, I’d probably carry a box with me. Oh, and I have one of those travel packs in my purse. Does that count? Remember when people used hankies? Wadded up snotty rags stuck in pockets or purses. Gross. What’s the secret to getting Kleenex brand tissues to survive the wash? I have that brand, and two weeks ago, I forgot to check my hoodie pockets before washing. I had Kleenex confetti all over the inside of the washer. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/45 "2020-07-20T07:37:59Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Dunno why y’all have such drippy noses Allergies. If you don’t have them count yourself blessed. Did a quick survey of my current apartment: 1 in the bathroom, 1 in the bedroom. Also one in the car and one in the pickup truck. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/46 "2020-07-20T08:04:46Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > This is my house, too. Kleenex isn’t just for drippy noses. It’s for cleaning glasses (but not the lotion-infused tissues),[…] cleaning off the screen of my phone, and lots of other stuff, too. Please do not use paper on glass surfaces, paper has tiny bits of calcium carbonate, chalk and/or Titanium Oxyde as filler or whitener that will scratch the surface or wear away the surface coating you paid so much to have. You can see those bits by placing the tissue or sheet in the sunlight and moving it a little: you will see tiny shiny specs. These are ground crystals and they can be hard and scratchy. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/47 "2020-07-20T08:21:20Z")
Three-bed, one bathroom house with two people in it. I have one open box of tissues on the coffee table in the living room. Yup, that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/48 "2020-07-20T14:48:49Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m at my desk typing right now and there’s the kleenex next to my monitor. On each toilet tank? Yup. The shelf of our bed’s headboard? Yup. The coffee table in front of the couch facing the TV? Yup. The dining tables both indoors & out on the patio? Yup2. Etc., etc., etc. The only ones that stood out to me in this list is the dining tables. Otherwise, I approve! ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/49 "2020-07-20T14:53:01Z")
Two people in our home. There is a box of Kleenex-like tissues (usually Walmart brand) in: Bathrooms - 2 Bedrooms - 3 Basement (where my husband works out) - 1 We both always blow our noses after a shower. Also when I wash my hair, instead of letting the hair clog up the drain, I try to run my hands through my hair and get all the loose strands out that way. Then I put the hair on the shower wall and use Kleenex to pick it up and toss it in the trash. The boxes in the bedrooms are for when we have colds. If it’s a bad cold season there will be a box in the living room also. During the winter, I always have a small pack of tissues in my jacket pocket when I walk the dogs. My nose always runs when I’m out in the cold for an extended period of time. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/50 "2020-07-20T15:14:08Z")
1 on the coffee table in front of the TV 1 in the kitchen 1 in the bathroom 1 on the nightstand So 4 altogether, and I live alone ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/51 "2020-07-20T17:45:19Z")
I don’t keep Kleenex in the bathrooms, because TP is good enough when I need it there. But, 2 in the computer room (because I have my work computer and my home computer in there) 1 each in the bedroom, living room and craft room. The dining room only gets one during peak allergy seasons and that’s only because I do stuff in there beside eating. And my car I sniffle a lot, and sneeze quite a bit ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/52 "2020-07-20T19:45:00Z")
OP again. > [@susan](#): > > … > This metric also works for waste baskets. I suggest you launch a wastebasket thread; could be fun. Besides I’ll look a little less nuts in that one. A little. Sadly the “blame it on the spouse” play won’t excuse my/our kleenex. If somehow she left the only one that would leave with her is the one on her desk. The rest are mine/ours, not hers. > [@galen\_ubal](#): > > I’ve got pretty hefty seasonal allergies, but I’m usually content to snuffle\* > … > … > \*Now that I think about it, I’m amazed my wife hasn’t murdered me… 😆 Yet. You gotta sleep tonight too ya know. 😉 Part of the reason to have kleenex readily to hand is to avoid snuffling. Consider this thread your call to wokeness. She’ll be very grateful even if she doesn’t know why you’ve suddenly gotten enlightenment. > [@Broomstick](#): > > Also one in the car and one in the pickup truck. I forgot to count the box in our one car. So 12. Back when we had 2 cars it would’ve been 13. Plus a mini pocket-pak in the toolbag I take to work. So 13 and counting. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/53 "2020-07-20T21:29:43Z")
I have precisely one box, next to my computer. I’m actually more likely to use toilet paper, because I prefer to blow in front of a mirror, so I can do an eyeball check to make sure the pipes are properly clear. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/54 "2020-07-20T21:35:04Z")
You check your eyeballs to make sure your pipes are clear? Hmmmmm…😏 ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/55 "2020-07-20T21:36:58Z")
Haven’t you ever blown your nose so hard you felt bubbles of air coming out of your eyes? You gotta make sure they haven’t popped completely out. Thus, the mirror. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/56 "2020-07-20T21:41:09Z")
Now that you mention it, I have sneezed so hard that the inside of my glasses lens were spattered, so I think you win this one. Mostly I was trying to share a smile😎 ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/57 "2020-07-20T21:46:49Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Dunno why y’all have such drippy noses. Allergies are one reason but another is vasomotor rhinitis: > Vasomotor Rhinitis is chronic rhinitis that is characterised by intermittent (coming and going) episodes of sneezing, watery nasal drainage (rhinorrhea), and blood vessel congestion of the nasal mucus membranes. There appears to be a hypersensitive response to stimuli such as a dry atmosphere, air pollutants, spicy foods, alcohol, strong emotions, and some medications. Indeed any particulate matter in the air, including pollens, dust, mould, or animal dander can bother people with VMR, even though they are not actually allergic to these things. > > People with VMR are unusually sensitive to irritation and will have significant nasal symptoms even when exposed to low concentrations of irritants. Thus, vasomotor rhinitis seems to be an exaggeration of the normal nasal response to irritation, occurring at levels of exposure, which doesn’t bother most people. I haven’t got the hang of creating links yet, but that’s from this website: [https://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/your-health/other-respiratory-conditions/vasomotor-rhinitis-vmr](https://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/your-health/other-respiratory-conditions/vasomotor-rhinitis-vmr) As for me, it’s never anything I’ve given much thought to until this thread. I clearly have a severe case of it, since EVERYTHING makes my nose run: hot food, cold food, hot weather, cold weather, exercise… But it’s not particularly debilitating as long as there are always tissues handy. I wipe my nose and get on with life. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/58 "2020-07-20T21:53:13Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Please do not use paper on glass surfaces, paper has tiny bits of calcium carbonate, chalk and/or Titanium Oxyde as filler or whitener that will scratch the surface or wear away the surface coating you paid so much to have. You can see those bits by placing the tissue or sheet in the sunlight and moving it a little: you will see tiny shiny specs. These are ground crystals and they can be hard and scratchy. I don’t want to jack the thread, but why is this? I always assumed it was microscopic wood fibers that caused facial tissues to scratch lenses. Where do these ground crystals come from? Do chemicals added to the pulp crystalize or something? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/59 "2020-07-20T21:59:37Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > I clearly have a severe case of it, since EVERYTHING makes my nose run: hot food, cold food, hot weather, cold weather, exercise… But it’s not particularly debilitating as long as there are always tissues handy. I wipe my nose and get on with life. Now that you mention it, most of those things make my nose run as well. But when eating spicy food I have a napkin that works just as well, and when I’m snowshoeing it doesn’t call for more kleenex boxes in the house. Just sitting on the couch or on my computer chair, there’s no need for them. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698/60 "2020-07-20T22:09:27Z")
The manufacturers add them on purpose as fillers (they are cheaper than wood fiber, they add weight and volume) and whiteners, also to make the surface shinier and smoother. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kleenex-boxes-am-i-nuts-or-is-this-normal/915698.md?page=4)