How to Properly Hang Toilet Paper: Over or Under? š§»
The classic bathroom debate has a surprisingly simple answer: there is an original patent that illustrates the roll hanging āoverāāwith the loose end coming over the top of the roll.
In 1891, Seth Wheeler patented a perforated toilet-paper roll design. The patent drawing shows the paper feeding over the top, which is why people sometimes call āoverā the historically correct orientation.
Why āoverā is often preferred
- Easier to grab: The loose sheet is clearly visible and accessible.
- Less contact with the wall: The hanging paper is less likely to brush against the wall behind the roll.
- Easier to tear: The perforations are generally easier to locate and pull when the sheet comes over the top.
- Hotels often use it: The familiar folded ātoilet paper triangleā is much easier to make when the roll hangs over.
But is āunderā wrong?
Not at all.
There is no health or plumbing rule requiring one orientation. Some people prefer the paper underneath because it looks tidier, is harder for pets to unroll, or simply feels more convenient.
So if your household prefers āunder,ā you’re not doing anything unhygienic or incorrect.
The surprising part
The strongest historical argument comes from Wheeler’s 1891 patent illustration, not from a medical study or etiquette rule.
So, if you want to follow the historical design:
š§» Paper over the top.
But if your family prefers the other way, there’s really no need to start a bathroom argument over it. š
