Toilet paper is an essential product that we use almost daily. Many people wonder why it is usually white and not available in more colorful options. Let’s explore this question with Bach Hoa XANH in the article below!
1 The History of Toilet Paper Colors
Toilet paper has been used since the 6th century in China, but it didn’t gain popularity in the US until the early 20th century. Interestingly, when toilet paper was first introduced in the US, people preferred colored options such as green, pink, and brown over white.
Colored toilet paper
The 1970s could be considered the golden age of colorful toilet paper. However, preferences changed, and the demand for colored toilet paper gradually declined. So, why is toilet paper predominantly white today? Let’s find out in the next section!
White toilet paper
2 Why is Modern Toilet Paper Usually White?
In our daily lives, toilet paper is a necessity. However, if you look around, you’ll notice that most toilet paper available today is white. Why has white toilet paper become more popular than its colorful counterparts?
Why is white toilet paper popular?
There are several reasons why white toilet paper has overtaken colored options in popularity:
- Most modern toilets are white, and white toilet paper creates a cleaner, more hygienic impression than the initial brown color. It also has a higher aesthetic appeal.
- The process of bleaching toilet paper not only changes its color but also softens it. This process removes lignin, a polymer that acts as a glue to bind the fibers, making the paper stronger and more durable.
- Additionally, bleaching toilet paper is environmentally friendly as it avoids the use of dyes.
- White toilet paper is less likely to cause skin irritation and makes it easier to spot stains.
- A significant reason for the preference for white toilet paper is cost. Manufacturers would incur additional expenses for dyeing the paper, but this would not lead to increased revenue, providing little incentive to produce colored toilet paper.
These reasons make it challenging to find colorful toilet paper options on the market.
Reasons for the popularity of white toilet paper