Whether you’re trying to create less waste or you’re on a strict TP budget, it’s a good idea to figure out how much toilet paper you’re using and how much you might need. There are a lot of variables to consider, and every household is different. Some are big and some are smaller. And the type of toilet paper you use makes a difference, too. With Cottonelle® Brand Toilet Paper, for example, you can use fewer† sheets per wipe so it does a better job at getting the job done. So, how much toilet paper should you pick up for your family? Let’s find out.
First, let’s figure out the numbers. Most people use the toilet about 5 times a day, but anything in the 4-10 range is deemed “normal”. And the average person is said to use nearly 7 sheets1 per wipe – approximately 6.41 sheets per toileting occasion for women, and 81 sheets per occasion for men.
So, if we’re using the toilet 5 times per day and using an average of 7 sheets per wipe, then one person uses about 35 sheets per day. One person will go through a regular roll of 150 sheets in about 4.3 days. And if you’ve ever wondered how much toilet paper you use in a year, the answer is probably somewhere in the ballpark of 85 rolls!
What about when you’ve got a few people in your household?
The bigger the family, the more toilet paper you need (as you can imagine). An average family of four can finish a regular roll (of 150 sheets) in about a day. They’ll go through an estimated 7 rolls per week, or 28 rolls a month. However, remember there are factors that could change the numbers: young kids use the bathroom more often, and those experiencing incontinence increase your household’s toilet paper usage – so it’s best to keep some extra on hand.
But there’s still an important detail to consider in your toilet paper consumption: not all toilet paper is created equally.
Cottonelle® Ultra Clean® Toilet Paper and Cottonelle® Ultra Comfort® Toilet Paper is 3-times thicker and 3-times stronger† than your average 1-ply toilet paper. And it’s uniquely designed with soft, Cleaning Ripples™ Texture that delivers a confident clean, so you can use less† sheets as it removes more with just one wipe†. So, if you’re stocking your bathroom with quality Cottonelle® Brand Toilet Paper, you’ll likely go through fewer rolls on average!
If you’re looking to plan your shopping, the average family can easily get by for just over 3 weeks on a 12-pack of Cottonelle® Ultra Clean® Toilet Paper, which has 340 sheets in 1 mega roll.
35 sheets x 4 people = 140 sheets per day = nearly ½ mega roll per day
3.5 mega rolls per week
7 mega rolls per 2 weeks
10.5 mega rolls per 3 weeks, so rounded up to 12 mega rolls for 3 weeks per family
And don’t forget, Cottonelle® offers two strong and absorbent toilet paper options:Cottonelle® Ultra Clean® Toilet Paper – our soft, strong and effective toilet paper that delivers a confident clean, and our Cottonelle® Ultra Comfort® Toilet Paper – our softest, thickest and most absorbent toilet paper for a superior clean. We suggest pairing your dry toilet paper with Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes for a shower fresh clean*.
Since toilet paper is a product with a very, very long shelf life, it never hurts to keep an extra pack or two at home in case of emergencies or unexpected guests.
Toilet paper packs come with many rolls, so most people (48%) store their extra rolls under the bathroom sink. 17% store rolls on the back of the toilet tank and 9% store it next to the toilet in a toilet paper holder.1
While wiping is the #1 use of toilet paper hands down, there are a number of other scenarios where it can be useful.
When it comes to toilet paper, Cottonelle® has your bottom covered!
†per sheet vs. leading value brand
*vs dry alone
**among leading national brands
First, Remove more at once with Cottonelle Cleaning Ripples Texture ®
Then, use Cottonelle Flushable Wipes for a refreshing clean throughout the day