# What is the correct way to load a roll of toilet paper on the dispenser?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [November 24, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419 "2002-11-24T00:57:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/1 "2002-11-24T00:57:19Z")
What is the correct way to load a roll of toilet paper on the dispenser: over the top to the front; or to the rear of the roll?
This has been a problem at our house for quite awhile,we humbly await an answer.š
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### Author:  [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/2 "2002-11-24T00:59:57Z")
Umā¦Iād say whatever way gets it off the rollā¦
Also shouldnāt your name be NadaHappyCrapper, in this caseā¦š
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### Author:  [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/3 "2002-11-24T01:02:52Z")
Either way will work just as well but if you look at the type with a printed design on the roll you will notice that it is designed to go over the top. If it were up to me in my house it would just end up however it did by random chance. Mrs. H insists that it go over the top though so thatās how it goes in my home.
Haj
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### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/4 "2002-11-24T01:08:18Z")
Iām gonna predict that **bibliophage** will be along to move this to IMHO. But before he does, Iāll give you the GQ answer.
My kids live in a house with two bathrooms. The standard bathroom is large, and the tp is at arms length on a roller. If you put the tp on to the back, then you seem to get less control over the contraption. Sometimes you get TOO MUCH tp. So loading with the paper to the front gives better control.
In the half-bath(toilet and sink) my kids are really cramped for space, so they load it with the paper hanging down from the back. I think it doesnāt matter much, as you are right there, up close and personal, and you can control how much paper unwinds.
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### Author:  [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/5 "2002-11-24T01:18:11Z")
You could pull an end-run on the debate with a [vertical toilet paper holder](http://www.cowboygifts.com/catalog/big_tp1nv.jpg).
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### Author:  [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/6 "2002-11-24T01:25:26Z")
Ann Landers settled this tissue a few years back ā¦
> [@](#):
>
> Dear Readers: In spite of the fact that an overwhelming number of people prefer the roll hung so that the paper comes over the top, I still prefer to have the paper hanging close to the wall. As a great many readers pointed out when the question was being discussed in the column several years ago, āThe most important thing is that the paper is THERE when you need it.ā
Yeah, you donāt want to be wiped out when you need it most.
š
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### Author:  [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/7 "2002-11-24T02:09:54Z")
If you have a cat who likes to play with the TP the only way is against the wall.
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### Author:  [@Elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elizabeth)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/8 "2002-11-24T20:53:55Z")
over the top diffinitly
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### Author:  [@Fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fang)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/9 "2002-11-24T21:03:31Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Ringo \*
> \*\*You could pull an end-run on the debate with a [vertical toilet paper holder](http://www.cowboygifts.com/catalog/big_tp1nv.jpg). \*\*
Of course, then you just start the clockwise vs. counterclockwise debate.
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### Author:  [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/10 "2002-11-24T21:06:55Z")
At that point you just start keeping a basket of corncobs handy.
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### Author:  [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/11 "2002-11-24T21:48:06Z")
**Moderatorās Note:** The correct answer is that it is a matter of individual preference. That being the case, Iām going to move this to our āIn My Humble Opinionā forum. Iāll also change the thread title so itās a little more clear what this thread is about.
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### Author:  [@Witch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Witch)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/12 "2002-11-24T21:54:23Z")
Over of course. you just canāt get that satisfying"whirrrr" going from the āunderā positioning.
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### Author:  [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/13 "2002-11-24T22:28:45Z")
LOL Is that you Jon and Karen? I was out with friends on Friday night for beers and they were having the exact same argument. I offered two solutions:
1. Whomever replaces the roll gets to choose.
2. Put up a second dispenser. And do both. This is somewhat drastic, I suppose, but the argument was getting way more attention than it deserved. They were genuinely peeved about it.
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### Author:  [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/14 "2002-11-24T22:49:08Z")
The only reason I can think of for hanging the roll so the paper comes down the back, is if you have cats.
With the paper hanging down the back it can be more tricky to pull the sheets due to the close proximity to the wall. Also, the toilet paper is further away from you.
I always hang over the top, and I get peeved when I see that someone else has hung it differently.
Strange how something so trivial can cause so much constenation!
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### Author:  [@Slainte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slainte)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/15 "2002-11-24T22:52:22Z")
Always Over (for the same reasons **samarm** listed).
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### Author:  [@japatlgt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/japatlgt)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/16 "2002-11-24T23:00:49Z")
The tissue dispenses more easily over the top, doesnāt it? Optionally - on top of the tank.
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### Author:  [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/17 "2002-11-24T23:00:53Z")
Who cares, as long as the TP is there when you need it.
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### Author:  [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/18 "2002-11-24T23:08:02Z")
I canāt believe I did this but from the FAQ at [www.charmin.com](http://www.charmin.com):
> [@](#):
>
> Q:Is there a correct way to hang the Charmin roll on my dispenser.
>
> A:Many household skirmishes are waged over this, but there isnāt a right or wrong way to roll the Charmin. Sometimes itās placed so the edge rolls over the top towards the front. You can also hang Charmin with the leading end falling under the roll.
Haj
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### Author:  [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/19 "2002-11-24T23:21:38Z")
Over. Definitely. Its just plain wrong the other way š
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### Author:  [@Y.T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Y.T)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/20 "2002-11-24T23:22:06Z")
No,no,no.
You just leave the roll on the floor and pick it up when you need it.
That way you always get a little suprise when you look for it.
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