# Toilet Paper vs. Tissue Paper

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-vs-tissue-paper/98696>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 17, 2002, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-vs-tissue-paper/98696 "2002-03-17T03:55:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![joemill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@joemill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemill)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-vs-tissue-paper/98696/1 "2002-03-17T03:55:52Z")

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My wife argues with me when I use a tissue to blow my nose and then dispose of it in the toilet I just used and flush it down with the rest of the “human” waste.

She says that tissue paper is not made to “flush” and will clog up the toilet. I say that toilet paper and tissue paper are the same thing, just cut and marketed different; and thus will flush just fine. Who’s right?

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**Author:** ![friggae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/45deac/32.png) [@friggae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friggae)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-vs-tissue-paper/98696/2 "2002-03-17T04:29:03Z")

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Wow. I am shocked!

[http://www.kimberly-clark.com/ask/qa\_family.stm](http://www.kimberly-clark.com/ask/qa_family.stm)

> [@](#):
>
> **Is KLEENEX facial tissue biodegradable? Flushable?**  
> Kleenex tissue is made with biodegradable cellulose fibers. Because the tissue is made with an additive to make it strong, it will not break down as rapidly as bathroom tissue. Therefore, we suggest you discard Kleenex facial tissue in the trash.

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**Author:** ![femtosecond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@femtosecond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femtosecond)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-vs-tissue-paper/98696/3 "2002-03-17T13:03:51Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Go away you stupid towel!

Well, flushing _that_ will certainly clog up your toilet… 😃

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**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-vs-tissue-paper/98696/4 "2002-03-17T15:22:16Z")

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There are all types of tissue paper. For instance, the paper used to wrap a blouse, shirt, etc. in before placing it in a box is a tissue paper and called such. Paper napkins are tissue paper, but you wouldn’t want them to fall apart as quickly as toilet paper. Also some of the cheaper hand towels are tissue paper and should not go in the toilet. Pretty much the rule should be **only toilet paper in the toilet**. Makes sense.

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**Author:** ![Another\_Primate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Another\_Primate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Another_Primate)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-vs-tissue-paper/98696/5 "2002-03-17T17:06:52Z")

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I’ve started buying “Cottonelle” (sp?) toilet paper recently. It’s very soft and nice. However, I’ve had to use my toilet plunger several times in the past few weeks.  
Coincidence? Or is it perhaps not as flushable as MD?