In terms of strength, it was only second to Cottonelle and Quilted Northern (both tied for first). It was also the second most opaque roll just behind Quilted Northern, indicating dense fiber construction. Lots of toilet paper brands claim to be super plush, but nothing we've tested or tried comes close to the softness of Charmin. Both our consumer testers and specialized lab equipment designed to measure softness ranked it the softest in a blind comparison test. The two-ply construction was also strong overall and stood out in particular for having the highest strength when wet, so you don't have to worry about it crumbling while in use. At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we test all kinds of bathroom necessities including menstrual products, wipes and toilet paper. Over the years, we've evaluated over 30 different types of toilet paper from both popular name brands and value brands to determine which rolls are worth it. When we test toilet paper, here's what we look for: Georgia-Pacific, the makers of Angelsoft and Quilted Northern, describes a method called “ creping” to soften, strengthen and fluff their toilet paper. While the paper is drying on a large cylinder, a large metal blade scrapes the surface to create the “creping.” We found this method was common with other companies as well.

Quilted Northern Ultra Plush® Toilet Paper, 12 Mega Rolls

We were surprised to find that Silk’n Soft performed quite well for an “alternative” toilet paper. In a blind test, we were unable to tell which was made of bamboo. The biggest difference was that the perforation was tougher than the rest. Matching Quilted Northern’s three-plies, it was surprisingly soft for how hardy it was. Some testers claimed to be able to identify Cottonelle from its signature patterning. We neither confirmed nor denied their suspicions until after we revealed the results. It is interesting to note power of brand recognition and how it may have affected an unintentional bias in our blind testing. Cottonelle’s paper indeed stands out from the rest in terms of look and feel and we think it’s possible that this aspect alone could inspire subconscious confidence in the brand, or at least make a more memorable impression. Angel Soft is as cheap as Kirkland Signature at about two cents per square foot, we get the sense that Kirkland Signature is a better value. However, our scores show that they are actually pretty even. Seventh Generation With the above assumptions and findings, plus some discipline in your usage (i.e., use the minimum amount of tissue for the given job), you can calculate the real "best value" toilet tissue. It is a labor-intensive process but is one you can do with price, sheet count, and our "effectiveness coefficient". Try this step-by-step process to find your best value. Absorbency: How much can it absorb? Better absorbency means less sheets necessary and ultimately a better value.

Charmin – Ultra Strong came in second in our tester surveys, only a few points ahead of Quilted Northern. In our lab tests, it scored the highest average of both wet and dry lint tests, one of the most desired characteristics according to our testers. This continues the trend of our testers preferring strength over softness.

Quilted Northern Ultra Plush® Toilet Paper, 12 Mega Rolls Quilted Northern Ultra Plush® Toilet Paper, 12 Mega Rolls

Is it FSC Certified?: If you prefer regular toilet paper from virgin paper sources, look for a stamp of approval from the Forest Stewardship Council. They uphold strict standards to ensure that manufacturing is socially and environmentally responsible. This certification may increase cost up to 20%, though in our line-up, the only FSC-Certified brand is budget-friendly Scott – 1000. The bottom lineIn our objective testing process, Charmin Ultra Soft wasn't perfectly durable, but it was pretty close—and thankfully it didn't tear during use. It took just under a minute to dissolve in water, which means it will fall apart in the toilet (key for avoiding potential septic issues) but not while you're doing your thing.

Quilted Northern Ultra PlushToilet Paper, 24 Mega Rolls = 96 Quilted Northern Ultra PlushToilet Paper, 24 Mega Rolls = 96

The Angel Soft Double toilet paper is near the upper echelon of products for its all-around good performance. However, it should be noted that it tops the chart in our dissolve metric. For this reason, we have given it special recognition for the appeal it will have for those with less than robust plumbing. While this high dissolution rating is certainly a bonus for those with touchy toilets, this TP remains a solid, average, well-rounded choice. All of our testing households liked it and compared it favorably to the other top scorers. In our objective testing for absorption, this Angel Soft was nothing special. In similar testing for strength, the Angel Soft is surpassed by only a few options. On average, a one-ply roll of toilet paper provides 1,000 sheets per roll. For two-ply, you can expect roughly 500 sheets per roll. However, the reduction in toilet paper sheet size from 4.5 x 4.5 to 4 x 4 is allowing companies to quietly raise the cost per unit for toilet paper, which has increased by upwards of 2%. Ultimately, the environment and consumers themselves may get the most benefit from this as the narrower rolls are proving more effective for saving money as well as trees. How long does toilet paper last? A more obscure factor, quality of perforation can make the difference between a speedy or frustrating experience. We tested perforation by tearing the sheets apart and grading the ease on a scale of one to five. Breakdown test To test for dry lint, we used a textured object and applied a swiping pressure to a rolled bunch of 25 sheets. The wet lint test was the same except we began by spraying the toilet paper with equal amounts of water. We awarded scores by visual inspection of the damage. Sheet transparency (fiber density) As one would expect from a softer tissue, the breakage and lint factor is higher which explains some point loss in our tester surveys. Quilted Northern just may be too delicate for more aggressive wiping techniques, working better for those with a lighter, dabbing method. In addition, users may need more sheets to compensate for linting, even though it scores very high in absorption. However, there is nothing more luxurious than excess.

Charmin Ultra Soft is the best of both worlds - it's soft and strong. You'll feel comfortable and won't have to worry about a mess on your hands. Chlorine Free” – Rodale’s Organic Life warns us that this is an empty label and likely means that the paper is PCF, or more likely ECF. Just because chlorine gas wasn’t used in processing, doesn’t mean it is free of chlorine derivatives. Thermal paper is coated with a dye and developer that “prints” without ink. The BPA in the developer gets mashed and mixed together with other paper sources to form the tainted recycled pulp that is processed into new products. Store brands can be hit or miss, but Walmart’s Great Value toilet paper is a comfortable and sturdy roll of toilet paper.

The 4 Best Toilet Papers of 2023 | Tested by GearLab

Testing had a number of components. First, I tested toilet paper the old-fashioned way: by using it regularly over the course of multiple weeks. This kind of subjective testing allowed me to develop a less clinical opinion about the durability and comfort of each roll. I wanted to be sure that any toilet paper we recommended would be reliable and comfortable over time. Another option for sustainable toilet paper is made from bamboo, which touts itself as “tree free.” The bamboo toilet paper from Who Gives A Crap is three-ply instead of the usual two, and we were impressed by how soft it feels compared to other sustainable TPs we've tried. When we tested the toilet paper for dissolvability in our Lab, it dissolved more easily than some of the other toilet papers we've evaluated, so it shouldn't lead to clogging issues.I also ran the rolls through a number of objective tests to score them for strength and durability. To accomplish this, I rubbed one square of each roll against coarse surfaces, including a cast iron skillet and rough outdoor carpet. I took note of any piling, residue, or tears that were caused by a normal amount of pressure against the coarse surfaces.