Are you wondering if it's a good idea to buy toilet paper in bulk? Won't they expire if kept in storage for too long? That's what we'll talk about today. We asked the experts how long this commodity would last in storage and here's their answer.
Toilet paper can last a long time as long as it is kept in a cool and dry place. Make sure also that it is wrapped tightly in a waterproof cover to keep off moisture, dirt, and dust that could ruin it.
Keep on reading to know if toilet paper has an expiration date. We'll also give you tips on how to keep this product for long-term storage. We'll also answer how long your toilet paper stash would last as well as the various factors that would affect this. Let's get started!
Does toilet paper expire?
Toilet paper is cheaper when you buy it in bulk. You get to save at least 6% of its total cost. This may not seem much upfront but considering how often you use tissue and paper towels in your everyday lives, these savings can accumulate over a short period of time.
So, buying in bulk is a wise decision for consumers.
Besides, it is such a hassle to run out of toilet paper when you need it the most. It is a must-have for personal hygiene and keeping our homes clean.
That's why it makes sense to stock up on this household essential. This will also reduce the number of times that you have to go to the grocery store just to buy this product.
But what if your toilet paper has been in storage for too long? Will it affect its quality? Will it ever expire?
Toilet paper has an indefinite lifespan. It can last for years or decades as long as it is stored properly. In particular, this product needs to be stored in a clean and dry place. It also has to be sealed properly to prevent moisture, dirt, and dust from affecting its quality.
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Toilet paper is a highly absorbent and porous material. It can easily absorb moisture which makes it great for wiping our bums. But if moisture creeps into its packaging, it can ruin your toilet paper.
If your toilet paper storage gets moist, mold and mildew can grow and thrive on these products. Hence, you won't be able to use the sheets anymore in the same way that you don't reuse soiled tissue paper.
Allowing dirt and dust to settle on your toilet paper will also damage its quality. Besides, who wants to use dirty tissue anyway, right?
So, make sure that you store this household product properly so that you have usable stock whenever you need it.
How To Store Toilet Paper
Here are some tips on how to store your stock of toilet paper for the long term.
Choose a Cool and Dry Place
Toilet paper needs to be kept in a cool place to reduce the possibility of insect growth, chemical decay, and discoloration.
You also have to ensure that your chosen storage area is dry to avoid moisture problems. When there's moisture, there's a high probability of mold and mildew growth that would damage its quality.
So, if you keep your stash under the sink, better think of another place to store your tissue paper rolls.
You can store your toilet paper stock in a high place to keep it safe from getting wet. You can put a shelf over the bathroom door to optimize your space.
Organize
We all know that rolls of toilet paper can be bulky and occupy so much space. This can be quite a challenge when you only have limited space. That's why you have to be creative as well in organizing your stock.
For example, you can use a linen closet or shoe organizer to help you sort out your stock. Put each roll inside each slot in the organizer and hang it in your closet. Just make sure each roll of toilet paper is properly wrapped in plastic to cover it from dirt and dust and keep it safe from accidental spills.
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Put Inside a Watertight Container
You can put your toilet paper rolls or packs inside a watertight container such as plastic bins with lids. These will help keep moisture, dirt, and other unwanted elements away from your stock. As we all know, these are our enemies when it comes to preserving the quality of the items that we have for storage.
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Keep Each Roll/Package Inc bag.
You can keep your toilet paper stock in the original packaging that they came in. But if you've already opened the bag to take out some rolls, make sure that the rest are still properly covered with plastic to protect them from dirt, dust, and moisture.
These are just some recommendations on how to store your stock of toilet paper so that it'll last for a long time. But of course, you can also think of more creative ways that'll work for you.
How long will my toilet paper stash last?
Since toilet paper is a household essential, it is important to know how long your stock will last before you have to go to the store to replenish it. It helps in planning your grocery trips to make sure you never run out of this product.
A roll of toilet paper lasts for three to four days based on the average usage of one person. Use this to compute how many rolls or packs you need in your household.
Of course, different factors can influence how long your stash will last. Here are some of them.
- Sex: Women use toilet paper more often whenever they do number 1 or number 2 and during their monthly menstrual periods.
- Health conditions: When a member of the family experiences an upset stomach, diarrhea, or other medical conditions, he or she would use the bathroom more often and need to use more toilet paper.
- Quality of toilet paper: Some come in jumbo sizes while some are regular. They also have a different number of plies. Jumbo sizes and those with more plies will last longer. Meanwhile, the regular-sized and one-ply tissue paper will break easily so you would need to use more sheets.
- Other uses: Aside from wiping yourself after using the restroom, you may also be using toilet paper for removing makeup, wiping your nose, cleaning the toilet seat before and after use, or picking up your pet's poop. This would mean that you will use up your pack of tissue paper faster.
- Bidet: Having a bidet decreases the need for toilet paper and if your bidet has a dryer, you probably won't need it anymore.
These are just some of the factors that would affect how long your stock is good for. We all have different circumstances so you need to make the necessary adjustments based on your own needs.
Final Thoughts
It is good to know that toilet paper lasts indefinitely as long as you store it properly. You can buy them in bulk and you'll never have to worry about not having something to wipe yourself with whenever you use the loo. What a relief!