🧻 How to Properly Hang Toilet Paper? The Answer May Surprise You
There are actually two common ways to hang a toilet-paper roll:
Over: The loose end hangs over the top of the roll.
Under: The loose end hangs behind the roll, toward the wall.
So which way is “correct”?
If you’re following the original design, over is the traditional choice. The patent illustration for Seth Wheeler’s perforated toilet paper roll from 1891 shows the paper feeding over the top.
There are also practical reasons to prefer over:
It’s easier to see and grab the loose edge.
You don’t have to reach as close to the wall.
It can be easier to tear off a sheet cleanly.
Some people find it more hygienic because the loose paper is less likely to brush against the wall.
But is “under” wrong?
Not really. There is no health rule requiring toilet paper to hang over. If your bathroom setup makes the under position more convenient, it’s perfectly reasonable.
Interestingly, under can have one advantage: it’s generally harder for pets or small children to unroll the entire roll.
The real hygiene tip
Regardless of which direction you choose, wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet. And if the toilet is flushed without the lid down, microscopic droplets can potentially spread around the bathroom.
So, if you’re looking for the classic answer:
🧻 Over the top is the traditional way—but choosing under isn’t a hygiene violation.
