You never know how important a thing is until it runs out. This rang very true at the start of this year, at the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. One of the first things to run out? Toilet paper. We saw everyone go into a toilet paper hoarding frenzy, not only in the United States but all over the world due to panic buying. People definitely got to know this item that they usually just use and forget, which led to some people to be pickier about their TP choices.
For the uninitiated, toilet paper is just toilet paper. We think they are all the same. We think that there are barely any differences aside from how many plies a roll has. But did you know how toilet paper is sourced? That it comes in various forms, with different benefits? Maybe it’s time to find out, so you can tell if you need a toilet paper upgrade.
Regular vs Bamboo
We’re taking a look at two types you can see sold most in your aisles: regular and bamboo toilet paper.
Regular toilet paper is the familiar toilet paper you’ve known all your life. It is generally a combination of 70% hardwood and 30% softwood, with some chemicals thrown in between. Before you exclaim ‘ouch!’, these woods are broken down into soft fibers. They are usually even given a light coating of aloe, wax, or lotion, to make them soft to the touch. Some are even given scents and come in different prints, emboss, and solid colors.
Bamboo toilet paper is the newest player in the market. It undergoes almost the same creation process as your regular toilet paper. However, it is made from bamboo instead of trees. This is a more sustainable choice and appeals to the eco-friendly crowd. Also, instead of the familiar white hue of your paper, bamboo TP traditionally comes unbleached sporting a brown color. More brands are now bleaching their bamboo rolls, to maybe evoke the same familiarity as the normal paper.
Which Is Better to Use?
Let’s see how both rolls compare to each other.
- Eco-Friendliness
Deforestation is a big problem that has been going on for decades. Sadly, due to the needs of men that require trees, it doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon. However, using alternatives can help minimize that, and bamboo toilet paper is one of the choices that can help. Bamboo forests grow 30 times faster than the conventional tree (it can grow 3 ft in 24 hours!), and it does not require replanting after harvest.
- Softness
Softness is one of the most important factors because no one likes to rub scratchy paper on their unmentionables. Regular and bamboo TP is comparable in terms of softness, as they usually have the same process to achieve this.
Strength
Bamboo contains natural properties that make their paper stronger than your conventional hardwood. It even has a higher tensile strength than some steel alloys! Most of the time, a regular toilet paper’s strength lies mostly in the number of plies per roll.
Costs
This is where bamboo toilet paper needs to catch up. While costs are mostly dependent on the brand, regular toilet paper is considerably cheaper than bamboo. However, we’ve been seeing bamboo brands getting more cost-competitive to appeal to a wider market.
People find it easier to stick to what they are used to. But it’s about time that we consider making better choices that can benefit us in the long run. Upgrading something seemingly as small as toilet paper can create a major impact. Your choice to upgrade your toilet paper can lead to a better world!
