Over or Under? Charmin Settles the 'How to Hang Toilet Paper' Debate

Toilet paper is a hot topic, especially when it comes to the right way to hang it. The "over or under" dispute can become a matter of contention between even spouses, with heated arguments reaching a stubborn impasse over which is the definitive way to hang one’s TP. It seems that just as many people argue in favor of "under" as they do for "over. " The debate can get as fraught and ongoing as arguments over how to load a dishwasher.

To (hopefully) put the argument to rest, we took it to the experts at Charmin—because who better to ask how to hang toilet paper than an actual TP brand? After all, there has to be a definitively correct way. (Right?)

Is There a "Right" Way to Hang Toilet Paper?

When it comes to how you hang the toilet paper in your bathroom, much of it depends on how you were raised. If you were trained from the beginning to reach for the toilet paper from under the roll, then it feels nonsensical and even awkward to pull from over the top. (And vice versa!)

“I’m team over,” declares Gregg Weaver, P&G senior scientist at Charmin. But personal preference is not the only factor that goes into it.

Ease for the Win

Ease plays the biggest factor in hanging your TP so the toilet paper folds over the roll. “When you load the roll with sheets coming over, it's easy to grab the sheets at the end of the roll hanging out from the wall,” Weaver explains.

“If the roll is loaded under, the sheet will hang closer to the wall, making it harder to find and grab.” Unimpeded access is more appealing than having to pull it excessively from a trapped position.

Hygiene Plays a Part

While there is no scientific evidence that hanging your toilet paper with the top sheet grazing the wall is harmful, there is good reason to suspect that it is less hygienic than doing the opposite.

By pulling your toilet paper down from the front side of the roll, you are avoiding any contact with dirt or germs that it might pick up from the back wall. Pulling it from underneath “increases the chances of touching the wall, where others might have as well,” notes Weaver, “especially in public places.”

Where to Keep Your Toilet Paper

Whether it's hung over or under, the most important consideration when it comes to your toilet paper is its proximity to the toilet. “The key is to create visible storage ideas that are in or close to the bathroom,” advises Weaver. “No one wants to be stranded on the throne due to not enough toilet paper being available.” He recommends storing your toilet paper in any one of these three optimal locations:

• Stacked inside a vertical holder designed for storage that sits by the toilet
• Arranged in a decorative basket in the bathroom
• Stored neatly in a vanity or closet in or near the bathroom (either still in the package or shelved vertically on a shelf or organizer)

Toilet paper should be kept fresh and free from dust and the elements. Due to possible moisture exposure, avoid garages or basements, although exceptions can be made if the rolls are still sealed in the package.