Toilet paper is by far one of the greatest inventions ever created by man. Now while the idea of toilet paper, and its application, have widely stayed the same, the versatile little roll has gone through some tweaking and improving over the years, offering an assortment of quality options. Whether you prefer quilted, standard, coreless or jumbo variety, there is something for everyone. However at the root of this choice comes an even greater decision; what ply toilet paper is the ideal choice? There are a couple options to choose from when debating this issue. To start with there is the affordable original 1 ply toilet paper, followed by the comfortable 2 ply choice, and even the uncommon 3 ply variety that's as rare to see in a bathroom, as seeing Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster...in a bathroom. At the root of this issue however it is very much a two horse race, between the 1 and 2 ply toilet tissue options. So at its core (or coreless if you prefer) this debate comes down to a few key issues: cost, comfort, and septic system effect.
So what is the difference between the two? Let's break this down in easy fashion. 1 ply toilet paper is made of a single layer of paper, while 2 ply has two layers of the same material. In most instances, 2 ply toilet paper is typically thicker and stronger, and is usually a bit softer as well, which many attribute to being the better of the two from a comfort standpoint. However, thanks to modern product innovation and advances, many 1 ply options are getting closer and closer to their 2 ply counterparts in that regard.
From a cost standpoint, 1-ply usually tends to run cheaper than 2-ply. It's not a secret that less paper layers translates to less of a cost. However many have noted that when it comes to usage, people typically use the same amount of sheets no matter the type of toilet paper they are using. So in this instance, by only using one layer of paper, the 1 ply option is cheaper to use.
If you have a septic system, or an older home, you may be at a higher risk of toilet paper clogging compared to other homes. While most types of bath tissue are known for being safe for use in septic systems, the consistency of each model lends to different results. Due to this, often people who have septic systems, become preoccupied with worrying what type of toilet papers are safe to flush. While some brands have recently debuted varieties of rapidly dissolving toilet paper, some simply cannot afford to invest in specialty products. In this instance it is clear that choosing a 1 ply option is the ideal decision. Like it was stated above, people typically use the same amount of toilet paper regardless of the density. Because of this, using a 2 ply option would ostensibly double the amount of tissue in your septic unit. Furthermore, 1 ply tissue is said to be the preferred choice for both low flow or no flush circumstances, such as in RV and boat bathrooms.
While 2 Ply toilet paper has the edge in comfort, 1 Ply blows its competitor out of the water (no pun intended) in the other categories. 1 ply is cost effective, and for those with septic systems, or homes with tricky, old, or sensitive plumbing, it is the ideal choice.