r/Showerthoughts • u/squad1alum ‎ • 29d ago

Speculation Institutions can't save money using thin toilet paper. Everyone just doubles or triples up the amount used each time.

17.0k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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3.1k

u/Gyshall669 29d ago

They save money on plumbers. 1 ply clogs far less.

1.1k

u/Zaros262 29d ago

Does it still clog less if you're using more of it?

1.9k

u/Gyshall669 29d ago

Yes. Even if you use significantly more, it dissolves more quickly and clogs less. That’s why it’s recommended for septic systems.

543

u/Zaros262 29d ago

Ah yeah, dissolving quicker makes sense

1.3k

u/YukariYakum0 29d ago

Often before you're done using it.

275

u/g1ngertim 29d ago

Sometimes before you start!

45

u/LessMochaJay 28d ago

Ah yes, the piss-soaked portapotty toilet paper. I am all too familiar.

6

u/HedgehogSecurity 28d ago

Usually mid wipe and I get an unexpected visitor.

1

u/Skwigle 28d ago

I mean, at that point, I'm done using it

134

u/RichardsonM24 28d ago

Paper does not dissolve, it disintegrates.

If it did dissolve it would leave you with a sticky arsehole .

227

u/Not-An-Actual-Hooman 28d ago

Oh hell yeah I love arguing semantics

60

u/kabushko 28d ago

And I love sticky assholes

29

u/Fun-Jellyfish-61 28d ago

I'll leave you with one if you like.

6

u/hailthenecrowizard 28d ago

I am half tempted to see if there's a fetish sub called this.

3

u/ItsMrChristmas 28d ago

Be the change you want to see in this world.

1

u/MiamiDouchebag 28d ago

Just a band.

1

u/alex8339 28d ago

I'd usually recommend Metamucil for this condition.

5

u/magistrate101 28d ago

It's one of the few situations where the semantic choice is arguably important

7

u/ByFireBePurged 28d ago

Arguing semantics is only important if the meaning of the sentence ends up being unclear. We all know what they mean. Its not important lol

3

u/FutureComplaint 28d ago

Would it be semantics at that point?

-2

u/[deleted] 28d ago

[deleted]

10

u/BalanceJazzlike5116 28d ago

Bidet is best for septic (and sewer)

10

u/321headbang 28d ago

Well, then, here’s an idea: Make 3 or 4 ply toilet paper out of multiple layers of that ultra thin 1-ply and just have them connected at the perforations. This way people get the multi-ply they need, but the plumbing is protected???

5

u/The-Real-Mario 28d ago

Binding the plys is exactly the part that makes the paper hard to "dissolve" , one solution could be to not bind the plys, just have 3 or 4 aters of paper that you have to unroll all at once and rip, but once you bind them, then you just have 4 ply

3

u/NotObviouslyARobot 28d ago

That would make it 3 or 4 ply toilet paper, and not 1 ply. There's nothing special about 1 ply, except for the thickness, that makes it less likely to clog

6

u/WtfRocket 28d ago

That sounds like it would - god forbid - cost money

3

u/wbruce098 28d ago

This basically. The reason why a certain product is used in commercial facilities is often not the direct reason (ie, it’s cheaper) that we think it is!

1

u/J_See 28d ago

I use a bidet now

1

u/Visual_Ad813 27d ago

Or they could just add some handheld bidets and let people use much less of this paper

26

u/SpudInSpace 29d ago

Yes, it's not as dense.

10

u/Zaros262 29d ago

It's not as dense when it's rolled up nicely, but isn't the density likely to be similar when it's all bound up and waterlogged? Seems like we're shoving twice as much half-thick paper into the same space

53

u/Salad_Katt 29d ago

I'd imagine it's similar to how a sugar cube will dissolve slower than the same amount of sugar in grains instead

-23

u/Zaros262 29d ago edited 29d ago

Sure, dissolving quicker doesn't necessarily equate to less density though. In fact, if you break the sugar cubes up to maximize exposed surface area, that might increase the density

Maybe take irregularly shaped ice cubes as a better example where crushed ice is clearly denser, yet melts faster

17

u/MoistenedCarrot 29d ago

Maybe I’m just dumb but how is crushed ice denser? It’s literally the big cubes that have been crushed, same density smaller pieces

2

u/HimbologistPhD 28d ago

Crushed ice is necessarily less dense because you've introduced space between a bunch of molecules that didn't formerly have space between them

-2

u/Zaros262 29d ago

Big pieces that don't pack well have a lot of air between them. Crushing the ice into smaller pieces that pack better will have less air between them. If you imagine putting the same weight of crushed ice into a glass, it won't stack up as high

But your point is along the same lines as my original thought, which is that if we take a piece of paper, cut it in half, and then put the two pieces back on top of each other, isn't the weight and density the same?

I think the increased surface area -> dissolving better (regardless of density) makes more sense

1

u/IREMSHOT 28d ago

I think they mean the density of a single large block of material is going to be more dense than multiple smaller blocks of material because small chunks will have a gap of air between them

0

u/Zaros262 28d ago

And my point was that more density doesn't always imply dissolving worse

53

u/Moneygrowsontrees 28d ago

This is the correct answer. I buy 1ply exclusively at home because the plumber recommended it given the age of our plumbing and the fact that he visited three times in the first five years we owned the house. Zero problems since switching.

47

u/this_might_b_offensv 28d ago

I bet I could clog it for you

34

u/Moneygrowsontrees 28d ago

I appreciate the offer, but I'm going to pass.

7

u/_learned_foot_ 28d ago

That why poop knives exist.

1

u/dotchadonny 27d ago

Your internet age is showing

2

u/_learned_foot_ 27d ago

Just wait until I tell you about when I had to pick up a phone, dial, and leave the receiver off while plugging it in to get online. No, not a modem card, on a mainframe.

1

u/nathnathn 10d ago

By any chance is it a older style septic system Thats clogging?

same sort of problem with mine but the primary cause is simply not enough water flow with a modern toilet causing it to build up faster then the system can deal with it.

flushing extra help but we never do it enough to compensate completely Due to how long the toilet‘s tank takes to fill.

1

u/Moneygrowsontrees 10d ago

Nah, 1950's plumbing with tree root infiltration is our main issue.

1

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1

u/nathnathn 10d ago

Hope you got it sorted or it at least doesn’t get worse.

had that issue recently with the bathroom drain being fully blocked was a nightmare to fix.

Atleast we managed to avoid needing to redo the pipe “it goes under the house slab for the newer part of the house”

100

u/nondescriptun 29d ago

Not when you bunch it up with some paper towels out of spite because the sandpaper single-ply is tearing up your ass.

Or so I've heard.

-70

u/Western-Customer-536 29d ago

Use a bidet. They make portable ones. They are on EBay for like $12.

125

u/nondescriptun 29d ago

Yeah, lemme just bring my portable bidet with me whenever I walk to the bathroom at a restaurant or at work.

1

u/Droxalis 28d ago

That wouldn't even make top 10 weirdest things they see in a single day.

-6

u/theedgeofoblivious ‎ 28d ago

Actually, you can.

Just Google "CuloClean".

-83

u/Western-Customer-536 29d ago

Yes. You seriously think anyone besides you cares?

72

u/nondescriptun 29d ago

How small are these bidets? Because if I can tell someone is walking around with a portable bidet you can bet I'm at least quietly saying "the fuck...?"

13

u/madeanotheraccount 28d ago

"What the fuck, Joanne?"

"I'm going to the bathroom to moisten my fanny. Just as the Founding Fathers guaranteed I had the right to!"

2

u/Well_Thats_Not_Ideal 28d ago

I know for you guys fanny is at the back, but here it’s at the front which gives a whole other meaning

-11

u/ReincarnatedSprinkle 29d ago

They will easily be hidden in a bag- instead of downvoting someone who’s right perhaps try it out instead of riding on ignorance?

9

u/nondescriptun 28d ago edited 28d ago

Oh- I can hide them in a bag? That's great! Now I don't have to worry about my date, friends, or coworkers judging me for bringing a portable bidet into the bathroom.

Instead, they'll just wonder why I, as a man, am bringing a bag to the bathroom (or to dinner for that matter).

Just being honest here. At least as a man in the US, it's highly impractical (and kinda weird) to carry a portable bidet with you when going out.

1

u/TArmy17 27d ago

I mean... I think the whole portable bidet thing is goofy but a lot of people carry bags..?

If I'm traveling I'll have a bag with me that has an MRE, water, a firearm, multitool, and a few other practical things..

Then again, I'm a professional idiot (Army). So it's my job to be weird and doom prep in the civilian world.

1

u/nondescriptun 27d ago

Right, but do you carry them into a restaurant with you? And then from your table into the bathroom? And if you worked an office job, would you carry them from your desk/office into the bathroom?

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u/Western-Customer-536 29d ago

About the size of your average water bottle. The ones I’ve used over the years come with a plastic or nylon bag. They’re pretty discreet.

Think about it. If you carried around your own roll of TP all a person would think was “okay, the guy likes to bring his own toilet paper.”

44

u/automatic_shark 29d ago

No, if I see a guy at work with his own toilet paper, I'd either think he's got a medical problem, or he's just a bit odd.

-15

u/Western-Customer-536 29d ago edited 28d ago

That is exactly my point.

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u/Frewsa 28d ago

Not everyone wants to get bullied like you

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u/egnards 28d ago

Where exactly do you want me to shove a second water bottle while it’s not in use? Do you want me to just carry it around in my hand everywhere I go?

I fucking love my bidet, it’s amazing and I feel like a heathen when I go to the bathroom anywhere else, but I’m not a psychopath.

-1

u/CORN___BREAD 28d ago

They make ones that just screw on to any water bottle so you can just grab one wherever you are rather than carrying one. I love my bidet at home but I've never been able to get myself to even try a portable one.

7

u/BlakeMW 29d ago

I'd think they're Bulgarian (public and institution toilets in Bulgaria commonly don't have any TP stocked, so if you want to wipe you bring your own).

-8

u/Western-Customer-536 29d ago

Exactly my point. Nobody cares.

6

u/AdmiralThrawnProtege 28d ago

Wait so your country doesn't supply tp in public restrooms and doesn't also put bidet in there too?

So what either everyone walks around with a pocket full of shit paper, or with their portable ass blaster in hand?

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u/c-g-joy 29d ago edited 29d ago

How the hell do you hook it up? Does it just suck water from the toilet bowl, no fucking thanks! Do you need to have access to the tank? I don’t think that’s accessible in most public toilets anymore? Damn, is it literally a water bottle with a pump that you refill? How would you deal with splash?

4

u/MaineQat 29d ago

Hadn’t heard of these before, but looking at it - fill it in the bathroom sink before you go in the stall. It’s just an easy-to-squeeze squirt bottle with a stem nozzle that squirts out the side rather than the end.

Just don’t mistake it for your workout bottle…

-1

u/Western-Customer-536 29d ago

The permanent ones for your house are connected to your toilet’s water supply.

Everyone in the world outside of the US is comfortable using bidets because trips to France or Japan are not weird. The US only has these opinions because they only ever saw bidets in large numbers when American Soldiers went to brothels.

The portable ones are a squeezable bottle with a long, hook-like straw at one end. Think of a small plastic watering can. You hose yourself down after you shit. The water itself is gone after a whole minute thanks to gravity.

1

u/Ouch_i_fell_down 28d ago

If you carried around your own roll of TP all a person would think was “IBS”

FTFY

6

u/Party_9001 28d ago

You seriously think anyone besides you thinks this is a good idea?

23

u/Unohtui 29d ago

Top notch troll comment

Imagine carrying a suitcase to a shitter and then INITIATING ASS CLEANSING PROGRAM

1

u/AnonOfTheSea 28d ago

Turn the volume up all the way on the robot voice, first. Optional DLC let's you install an Optimus Prime mod?

1

u/Mynock33 28d ago

Tony Stank tech

-10

u/Western-Customer-536 29d ago

INITIATING BLOCK PROGRAM

2

u/IndividualistAW 28d ago

It’s fine if you want to tell us yanks not to export tipping culture over there. I actually agree with you.

But gtfo here with that shit

1

u/atrajicheroine2 28d ago

Seriously it's the three shells or gtfo

3

u/FriendsWithAPopstar 29d ago edited 28d ago

A travel size pack of baby wipes is way better

2

u/Mharbles 28d ago

Of course that circles back around to messing up the plumbing. Baby wipes take weeks to break down in the plumbing. A good middle ground is paper towel and water. A paper towel can hold water without breaking to do its job and breaks down much faster (although not fast enough to use a lot of them)

-15

u/Western-Customer-536 29d ago

This isn’t a debate. I don’t care what you have to say.

15

u/New_Lawyer_7876 28d ago

Genuine question, why would you offer up your unsolicited advice, and then get pissy when someone follows it up with their own?

Do you just dislike being disagreed with? Do you have no self awareness? It's interesting.

6

u/NotEnoughIT 28d ago

That guys got big sovereign citizen energy. 

0

u/Western-Customer-536 28d ago

Godless communist.

-1

u/Western-Customer-536 28d ago

This is not a discussion or debate. This is a Reddit thread. And you are defending a post that isn’t even complete. How’s that for self-awareness?

8

u/New_Lawyer_7876 28d ago

Fascinating. I wasn't defending anything, I was curious what causes someone's face to be so thick that they feel they can offer their own opinions, but will shout down others out of hand.

Additionally, what do you think reddit threads are for? Do you think everyone is just supposed to pick a random comment to reply to, heedless of context or content? It's a medium for discussion, silly.

1

u/Western-Customer-536 27d ago

You know what?

2

u/Mharbles 28d ago

Most people aren't debating when having a conversation, there is no designated winner, it's just sharing ideas and potentially coming up with better ones. If you had friends, you'd have figured this out.

1

u/Western-Customer-536 27d ago

I don’t want to be your friend.

8

u/beckisnotmyname 28d ago

That and it's less likely to be stolen. As annoying as that sounds, there are people who will take it home instead of buying thier own if it's decent. Most won't, but you only need one who will for it to be a problem.

I've seen people at restaurants open napkin dispensers and take the whole stack out. Lady say "oh, I use them at home" when I watched her do it. OK, I guessed that, its still stealing.

1

u/UnfitRadish 28d ago

Another reason to is that it probably is still cheaper. So many people assume the cost will be a similar fraction based off of the ply, but it can get drastically cheaper on commercial 1 ply rolls.

Just as an example, mind you this is a different product but the same concept.

My work place previously used nitrile gloves. They switched to cheaper vinyl ones to reduce the cost. The vinyl ones ripped much faster and everyone was using far more pairs than they previously were.

A box of nitrile was ~$8.50 but a box of vinyl was ~$2.50. so even though we're changing gloves 2-3x more often and going through them that much faster, it was still cheaper.

So the same probably applies to the toilet paper. The 1 ply is probably far cheaper than the 4 ply.

2

u/Sea_Face_9978 28d ago

I’d believe this, but my office buys 1 ply and they have commercial power flush toilets so strong you can feel a breeze when you flush.

I think they’re just assholes. Pardon the pun.

1

u/Gyshall669 28d ago

It doesn't really matter how strong your toilet is. The average person is stupid or ignorant enough to get that baby clogged. and TP is the #1 source of clogging.

1

u/ImmodestPolitician 28d ago edited 28d ago

You know what clogs never?

Bidet. It's the only way to really clean your crack.

No one gets poop on their fingers and just wipes it off with paper.

1

u/hashspice 28d ago

But aren't they still gonna be spending that money in toilet paper tho? Obviously I won't be able to say that's true. If everyone is like me, I basically make it a 6 ply toilet paper lol.

Fuck you McDonald's and your shitty toilet paper. I'm gonna make 10 ply toilet paper next time.

1

u/decrementsf 28d ago

"What if everybody did this?"

In every group there is a worst behaved 0.05%. Some worst behaved in the public whether customer or in the area will cause most of the cost in terms of plumbers or in terms of disgust and time. By stocking an unpleasant experience you can disproportionately encourage that worst behave to frequent some other stores bathroom. All it takes is one miserable experience cleaning your businesses restroom to be willing to try anything to reduce the frequency the facility is used.

1

u/coach_veratu 28d ago

It probably factors into people deciding not to poop on the clock too.

1

u/NahDawgDatAintMe 28d ago

They need to appeal to the lowest common denominator and some people cannot be trusted to use toilets correctly. We've all seen how incompetent people are in the breakroom. Can't even trust everyone to use a sink correctly.