Quilted Northern Ultra Plush® Toilet Paper, 6 Mega Rolls = 24 Regular Rolls, 3-ply Bath Tissue

Product Information

We graded each brand on the opacity of a single sheet, which gave us an indication of the denseness of fibers. Wet strength test

The 4 Best Toilet Papers of 2023 | Tested by GearLab

According to the EPA, if everyone in the US swapped one single roll of regular TP for recycled TP, the US would save 470,000 trees, 1.2 million cubic feet of landfill space and 169 million gallons of water Testing had a number of components. First, I tested toilet paper the old-fashioned way: by using it regularly over the course of multiple weeks. This kind of subjective testing allowed me to develop a less clinical opinion about the durability and comfort of each roll. I wanted to be sure that any toilet paper we recommended would be reliable and comfortable over time. Kimberly-Clark, the makers of Cottonelle and Scott products, boasts about their signature ripple texture and claims it cleans more effectively. They use a patented technology that dries paper without embossing or compressing it, allowing the paper to retain its ripples when wet. Recycled paper vs. new paper pulp FSC Certified– Forest Stewardship Council certifies that toilet paper is made from “ responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.”

Is it FSC Certified?: If you prefer regular toilet paper from virgin paper sources, look for a stamp of approval from the Forest Stewardship Council. They uphold strict standards to ensure that manufacturing is socially and environmentally responsible. This certification may increase cost up to 20%, though in our line-up, the only FSC-Certified brand is budget-friendly Scott – 1000. The bottom line The chlorine dioxide bleach used to process virgin-paper varieties is notoriously harmful to the environment, ranking in the top 10% of hazardous compounds in the US. While there are countless articles about the toxicity of chlorine in virgin paper products, we could not find an exact figure for how much of it is left in the final product. We were surprised to find that Silk’n Soft performed quite well for an “alternative” toilet paper. In a blind test, we were unable to tell which was made of bamboo. The biggest difference was that the perforation was tougher than the rest. Matching Quilted Northern’s three-plies, it was surprisingly soft for how hardy it was. Surprisingly, it also scored the highest marks in the dry lint test. The wet lint test didn’t fare as well. The smooth face of the sheet along with the slight paper-like quality meant there was less to drag, until it was soaked with moisture. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that Scott 1000 is FSC-certified, meaning the manufacturing process is monitored for sustainable practices.

Quilted Northern Ultra Plush® Toilet Paper, 6 Mega Rolls = 24

In terms of strength, it was only second to Cottonelle and Quilted Northern (both tied for first). It was also the second most opaque roll just behind Quilted Northern, indicating dense fiber construction. Bamboo: “Treeless” alternative that is sustainable and renewable. Uses 80% less water than regular toilet paper production. To test for dry lint, we used a textured object and applied a swiping pressure to a rolled bunch of 25 sheets. The wet lint test was the same except we began by spraying the toilet paper with equal amounts of water. We awarded scores by visual inspection of the damage. Sheet transparency (fiber density) What is irrefutable is the deforestation and toxic waste that results in the manufacturing of virgin paper. According to the EPA, if everyone in the US swapped one single roll of regular TP for recycled, the US would save 470,000 trees, 1.2 million cubic feet of landfill space and 169 million gallons of water. In addition, the chlorine dioxide bleaches used for virgin papers are far more toxic, releasing carcinogenic dioxins into the environment, known as one of the most toxic chemicals in the world.

Toilet-paper brand Marcal, known as an inexpensive budget brand, rebranded in 2010 to let everyone know that they have always been eco-friendly. They source paper from the “ urban jungle” of New York’s recycling program. Though being low-budget and environmentally friendly may have been a coincidence, we welcome it; however, it may or may not come at the cost of softness.