Toilet paper - get to the bottom of it

[wincrasher]

There was an interesting article this morning on toilet paper.

Said that the softest paper is made from 100% virgin timber - mostly old-growth forest from Canada. The point of the article was that Greenpeace got Kimberly Clark to change their methods to use recycle or sustainable forest, blah, blah, blah.

Anyways, not to argue about the politics or who is right, etc.

The big paper companies say softness is king, the companies that mostly make recycle paper say strength is king (and they are almost as soft).

So my question is:

What do you consider when you buy your TP?

Price only (what's on sale),
Softness,
Strength,
or
I just buy what I've always bought.

I usually buy the Quilted Northern Ultra Plush three-ply in bulk at Costco. It's the most expensive and most environmentally harmful paper there is. But I luves it.

[disneysteve]

We definitely go for softness and thickness (I'd say thickness more than strength, though they may mean the same thing here). We buy Charmin Ultra blue label. It used to be called White Cloud years ago.

[Caoineag]

Angel Soft and of course its on the flunk list. I suppose its time to switch to Seventh Generation, everything else they do works well so its probably safe to buy their tiolet paper. *Sigh* Not exactly thrilled to hear that.

Oh the reason we bought Angel Soft was price and it wasn't cardboard (so softness).

[GREENBACK]

I have a septic system and was told years ago to buy the thinnest(cheapest) TP because it breaks down more easily in the system. Not sure if that's totally true but it sounds right. Anyway, I always buy the cheap store brand for this reason.

[MonkeyMama]

Cheap. I have to agree with Greenback. I think it is more for the toilet than anything.

I don't really care. Believe me, I love my toilet paper. But if you are used to the cheap, you are used to the cheap. (& I have definitely seen WORSE toilet paper. We just got for the generic or whatever is on sale. It's probably just middle of the road. Now, my boss buys cheap toilet paper, which makes my home toilet paper - feel like heaven). !

[wincrasher]

Buying the "cheap" paper may be more expensive in the long run, because you are probably using more of it.

I would expect that the thinner type would break down easier in septics - that makes some sense. But again, if there is more of it in there, that may be self defeating.

I have a septic and have been putting the Rid-x in it.

[disneysteve]

I have a septic system and was told years ago to buy the thinnest(cheapest) TP because it breaks down more easily in the system. Not sure if that's totally true but it sounds right. Anyway, I always buy the cheap store brand for this reason.

If my wife comes to visit, she'll be bringing her own TP.

[disneysteve]

Buying the "cheap" paper may be more expensive in the long run, because you are probably using more of it.

That was always my thought. Aside from it being uncomfortable, what good is paying 30% less or even 50% less if you have to use 200% more of it?