In daily life, we commonly use various types of household paper, such as facial tissues, toilet paper, wet wipes, and kitchen towels. Each serves a different purpose and cannot be substituted for one another. Using the wrong type may even pose serious health risks. Toilet paper, when used correctly, is a helpful daily aid—but when misused, it can become a health hazard.
This article focuses on toilet paper, which generally comes in two types:
Regular roll toilet paper (with or without a cardboard core)
Flushable wet wipes
1. Regular Toilet Paper
Toilet paper has moderate softness and is primarily designed for bathroom use. While it meets safety standards and does not harm the body, its hygiene requirements are lower than those of facial tissues. However, it is affordable and widely available.
Important Notes:
① Do NOT use toilet paper as facial tissue.
Toilet paper is intended for post-toilet wiping and should not be used on the face, hands, or other body parts—especially around the mouth and eyes. Here’s why:
Different Raw Materials:
Toilet paper can be made from recycled paper or virgin pulp, whereas facial tissues (like pocket tissues) must use virgin pulp only.
Recycled paper is cheaper, so many manufacturers use it. However, this material undergoes multiple processes—collecting from trash, soaking, de-inking, bleaching, and adding talc, fluorescent agents, whiteners, and softeners—making it less hygienic.
Different Hygiene Standards:
Toilet paper has lower hygiene standards than facial tissues.
The allowable bacterial count for facial tissues is ≤200 CFU/g, while toilet paper permits ≤600 CFU/g.
Different Chemical Additives:
Toilet paper may contain fluorescent agents, whiteners, and other chemicals (within legal limits).
Facial tissues, which come into direct contact with the face, cannot contain fluorescent agents or recycled materials.
Additionally, toilet paper may contain trace amounts of harmful substances like lead, cadmium, mercury, or asbestos.
In summary, facial tissues are held to higher standards: they use purer materials, contain fewer chemicals, and have lower bacterial counts.
② Do NOT use facial tissues as toilet paper.
While it might seem luxurious and hygienic, facial tissues are not suitable for flushing because they do not break down easily and can clog pipes.
“Wet Tensile Strength” Test:
Toilet paper must disintegrate quickly when wet to prevent plumbing issues.
Facial tissues, however, are designed to remain strong when damp (to avoid shredding during use).
This is why public restrooms often warn against flushing tissues.
Thus, toilet paper is for bathroom use, while facial tissues are better for the face and hands.
2. Flushable Wet Wipes
Regular toilet paper is dry and may not clean thoroughly due to the anal area’s structure. Wet wipes offer a more effective solution—enhancing hygiene at a low cost.
Key Benefits:
For Menstruating Individuals:
Effectively removes dried blood without disrupting the vulva’s natural acidic environment (unlike alkaline soap-based wipes).
For Hemorrhoid Sufferers:
Gentle and soothing; some claim it helps prevent or treat hemorrhoids.
For the Elderly & Children:
Helps clean stubborn residue from sensitive skin.
Choosing the Right Wet Wipes:
Opt for thick, durable wipes to prevent tearing.
Nonwoven fabric wipes are sturdier, while dry-laid paper wipes feel more like traditional toilet paper but tear more easily.
⚠️ Do NOT substitute regular wet wipes for flushable ones!
Though they look similar, flushable wipes differ in three ways:
Ingredients:
Regular wipes often contain alcohol (irritating to intimate areas).
Flushable wipes usually contain water, sometimes with mild additives like benzalkonium chloride (antiseptic), glycerin, or botanical extracts (aloe, chamomile, tea tree oil).
Purpose:
Regular wipes: for hands, face, or general use.
Flushable wipes: for sensitive areas (gentler on delicate skin).
Biodegradability:
Flushable wipes are made from plant-based fibers (wood pulp, cotton) and can be safely flushed.
Regular wipes use synthetic fibers and must be thrown in the trash to avoid plumbing blockages.