Editing Toilet paper (section)

==Description==
Toilet paper is available in several types of paper, a variety of patterns, decorations, and textures, and it may be moistened or perfumed, although fragrances sometimes cause problems for users who are allergic to perfumes. The average measures of a modern roll of toilet paper is c. 10&nbsp;cm (3{{sfrac|15|16}}&nbsp;in.) wide, and 12&nbsp;cm (4{{sfrac|23|32}}&nbsp;in.) in diameter, and weighs between {{convert|85|g|oz|abbr=on}} and {{convert|196|g|oz|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toilet Rolls Vary in Net Weight &Total Length by a Double – Variations also in Paper Strength & Absorbency |url=https://www.consumer.org.hk/en/press-release/499-toilet-paper |website=consumer.org.hk |publisher=Hong Kong Consumer Council |access-date=25 April 2024}}</ref> An alternative method of packing the sheets uses interleaved sheets in boxes, or in bulk for use in dispensers. "Hard" single-ply paper has been used as well as soft multi-ply.

===Sheet size===
The format of individual sheets of toilet paper, which is given by a [[Perforation|perforation line]], varies nationally. In Germany, Holland, France, Poland, Switzerland, for example, about postcard size is standard (about 100 × 140 mm), so about [[ISO 216|DIN format]] (DIN A6 105 × 148 mm). In England, the usual format is already somewhat wider, about 115 × 135 mm. The most extreme landscape format with 115 × 102 mm exists in Thailand. The most extreme portrait format (not counting toilet paper rolls without any perforation) is 100 × 366 mm; a promotional toilet paper from Schmidt Spiele in Germany.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gudehus |first=Juli |author-link=Juli Gudehus |title=toilet paper – design for the arse • a collection |url=https://www.juligudehus.net/en/design-for-the-arse-collection |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Juli Gudehus |language=en}}</ref> Manufactured toilet paper sheet in the United States was sized {{cvt|4.5|in|mm}} × {{cvt|4|in|mm}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.toiletpaperworld.com/is-my-toilet-paper-shrinking/|title=Is My Toilet Paper Shrinking?|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511213701/http://blog.toiletpaperworld.com/is-my-toilet-paper-shrinking/|archive-date=11 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 1999 the size of a sheet has been shrinking; [[Kimberly-Clark]] reduced the length of a sheet to {{cvt|4.1|in|mm}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phlmetropolis.com/2011/03/the-incredible-shrinking-toilet-paper.php|title=The Incredible Shrinking Toilet Paper Roll|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-date=11 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511112243/http://www.phlmetropolis.com/2011/03/the-incredible-shrinking-toilet-paper.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Scott Paper Company|Scott]], in 2006, reduced the length of their product to {{cvt|3.7|in|mm}}. The width of sheets was later reduced giving a general sheet size of {{cvt|3.7|in|mm}} long and {{cvt|4.1|in|mm}} wide. Larger sizes remain available.

===Sheet ply===
The [[Ply (layer)|ply]] of a toilet paper refers to the number of layers per sheet. Rolls are typically available in single-ply, 2-ply, 3-ply, and 4-ply.

===Roll length===

Phrases like "single roll", "double roll", "triple roll", "jumbo roll", and "mega roll" commonly used in retail advertising<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/08/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-toilet-paper/index.htm |title=The dirty little secrets of toilet paper / Some rolls have shrunk more than 20 percent |magazine=[[Consumer Reports]] |date= 27 August 2015}}</ref> refer to the number of sheets per roll (though the actual number of sheets is also usually disclosed on packaging). A longer roll needs to be replaced less often, but the very largest sizes do not fit all toilet paper dispensers, especially in older homes.

===Materials===
Toilet paper is usually manufactured from [[pulpwood]] trees, but is also sometimes made from [[sugar cane]] byproducts or [[bamboo]].

Toilet paper products vary greatly in the distinguishing technical factors, such as size, weight, roughness, softness, chemical residues, "finger-breakthrough" resistance, water-absorption, etc. The larger companies have very detailed, scientific market surveys to determine which marketing sectors require or demand which of the many technical qualities. Modern toilet paper may have a light coating of aloe or lotion or wax worked into the paper to reduce roughness.

Quality is usually determined by the number of plies (stacked sheets), coarseness, and durability. Low grade institutional toilet paper is typically of the lowest grade of paper, has only one or two plies, is very coarse and sometimes contains small amounts of embedded unbleached/unpulped paper; it was typically called "hard" toilet paper.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/minor-british-institutions-izal-toilet-paper-1727294.html|title=Minor British Institutions: Izal toilet paper|work=The Independent|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530183525/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/minor-british-institutions-izal-toilet-paper-1727294.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A brand disinfected with [[carbolic acid]] was manufactured in [[Sheffield]], United Kingdom under the Izal brand name by [[Newton, Chambers & Co.|Newton Chambers]] until 1981.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://s10probus.co.uk/the-history-of-izal-joan-jones-7th-march-2016/|title=The History of Izal – Joan Jones – 7th March 2016 |date=8 March 2016 |access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref> Mid-grade two ply is somewhat textured to provide some softness and is somewhat stronger. Premium toilet paper may have lotion and wax and has two to four plies of very finely pulped paper. If it is marketed as "luxury", it may be quilted or rippled (embossed), perfumed, colored or patterned, medicated (with anti-bacterial chemicals), or treated with [[aloe]] or other perfumes.

To advance decomposition of the paper in [[septic tank]]s or drainage, the paper used has shorter fibres than facial tissue or writing paper. The manufacturer tries to reach an optimal balance between rapid decomposition (which requires shorter fibres) and sturdiness (which requires longer fibres). Compaction of toilet paper in drain lines, such as in a clog, prevents fibre dispersion and largely halts the breakdown process.

A German quip says that the toilet paper of [[Nazi Germany]] was so rough and scratchy that it was almost unusable, so many people used old issues of the ''[[Völkischer Beobachter]]'' instead, because the paper was softer.<ref>Read, Anthony and Fisher, David ''The Fall of Berlin'' London: Pimlico, 1993.</ref>

===Color and design===
[[File:Toiletpaper18.jpg|thumb|Apricot colored toilet paper]]
Colored toilet paper in colors such as pink, lavender, light blue, light green, purple, green, and light yellow (so that one could choose a color of toilet paper that matched or complemented the color of one's bathroom) was commonly sold in the United States from the 1960s. Up until 2004, [[Scott Paper Company|Scott]] was one of the last remaining U.S. manufacturers to still produce toilet paper in beige, blue, and pink. However, the company has since cut production of colored paper altogether.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/10653941/The-unpalatable-truth-the-colour-has-drained-from-our-bathrooms.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/10653941/The-unpalatable-truth-the-colour-has-drained-from-our-bathrooms.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The unpalatable truth: the colour has drained from our bathrooms?|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=23 April 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Colored toilet paper remains commonly available in some European countries. Here in solid color toilet paper base, apart from the natural tones between white and gray or beige, pastel shades prevail: pink, apricot, light yellow and light blue. In rare cases, pale purple or pale green can be found. However, rich colors are rarely used, such as black, wine red, neon green, royal blue. Flat printed toilet paper is uncommon. If there is printing, it is often one color. Common print colors are pink and pinkish red, also blue, more rarely purple, orange, brown or green.<ref name=":0" />

=== Design ===
[[File:Einfallslos I.jpg|thumb|Leaves as motif on toilet paper]]
Today, in the United States, plain unpatterned colored toilet paper has been mostly replaced by patterned toilet paper, normally white, with embossed decorative patterns or designs in various colors and different sizes depending on the brand. The patterns are in most cases "scatter patterns", that is, a motif is distributed ("scattered") several times (irregularly) over the surface. Stripes and dot patterns are rare. Occasionally, toilet papers have an embossed crocodile, wave, circle or check pattern. Some are additionally printed. Ornaments usually stand on their own as self-contained units. They never go uninterrupted (for example, as a border) from the first to the last sheet.<ref name=":0" />

=== Motifs ===
[[File:Papier toaletowy.jpg|thumb|Toilet paper with motif 50 euro bills]]
Predominant is everything that is associated "softness" and "fluffiness". There are decorations with bears, cats, rabbits, down feathers, clouds. Another motifs are things associated with "lightness": Clouds, downy feathers, leaves of all kinds, butterflies, flying birds. Another association is anything associated with pleasant fragrance: especially flowers of all kinds. Rare are motifs intended to appear noble, such as the Bourbon lily. Less rare are allusions to water, such as fish, shells and other aquatic creatures.<ref name=":0" />

Toilet papers are also provided with texts (jokes, poems), joke motifs (banknotes, politicians in their own or neighbouring companies) or advertising imprints.

=== Texture ===
[[File:DDR Klopapier.jpg|thumb|Crêpe secondary raw material toilet paper]]
Toilet paper is offered in different qualities. The cheapest toilet papers have a texture close to [[crêpe paper]]. They are often made of recycled material. Expensive toilet papers are made from particularly absorbent, delicate tissue paper. Toilet paper usually has a smooth surface. With several intentions, it is occasionally embossed. On the one hand, the embossing can serve to stabilize the paper. Furthermore, wiping can become more effective. Thirdly, there are design reasons. In Switzerland, in particular, there are often toilet paper with burls. In Germany, the number of plies is considered a quality feature. In the USA, Great Britain and Japan, the quality feature is that the toilet paper is as delicate and fine as possible.<ref name=":0" />

=== Additives ===
Some toilet papers are perfumed. Popular scents are chamomile, peach or rose. Other toilet papers are impregnated with antibacterial additives.