Rolled toilet paper has not been around for long, yet it has already caused a major division among society. The debate over whether the toilet paper roll should go under or over is intense, yet the answer is obvious — toilet paper belongs hanging over the front of the roll.
According to the Toilet Paper History website, Chinese emperors started using soft, perfumed fabrics as toilet paper in the late 14th century. This paved the road for modern toilet paper to become a widely used hygienic product in most homes by the late 19th century.
The widely accepted inventor of modern-day toilet paper roll is Seth Wheeler, who patented toilet paper rolls and perforated paper in 1871. These are currently the rolls used in many homes today.
Through detailed sketches, Wheeler distinctly defined the proper form of hanging toilet paper rolls. His illustrated patent clearly shows that the correct way to hang toilet paper is over the front of the roll.
As the founder of modern toilet paper roll, Wheeler has full authority to be the last word in this heated debate. His opinion alone indicates that toilet paper should always hang over the roll.
“It seems much more efficient to have toilet paper draped over,” Kennesaw State lecturer of history Jamie McCandless said. “If it is draped underneath, it is much less convenient and rather annoying.”
To cater to the needs of germaphobes, toilet paper should always hang over the roll as research shows bacteria spreads significantly faster if the toilet paper is placed hanging under.
A study from the University of Arizona shows that public toilet paper dispensers contain 150 times more bacteria than toilet seats. Therefore, by placing the roll “under,” one increases their chances that hands will brush the dispenser and pick up some of that gross bacteria.
With 70 percent of people admitting to not washing their hands at all, according to the Huffington Post, the bacteria they pick up from the dispensers will spread to everything that they touch throughout the day.
Meanwhile, if toilet paper is hanging over the roll, the risk of bacteria spreading is reduced because hands are only touching the toilet paper rather than the dispenser.
In addition, toilet paper rolls should hang over the roll because it is simply easier to use.
“I like it over because it is easier to grab and split apart out of convenience,” freshman history education major Josh McLendon said.
Most toilet paper users preferring the over position, according to surveys conducted by Vice. As a result, frustration can mount when one uses the restroom expecting to find the roll turned over only to find it hanging under.
Historical and scientific facts prove that toilet paper rolls should be hung over the roll. Since the average person spends over a year on the toilet in their lifetime, people should use the correct position of toilet paper rolls to properly spend those years.
