When was toilet paper invented?

Toilet paper is a luxury many of us take for granted, and it may be hard to imagine the days before its creation. China pioneered toilet paper from as early as the 6th century, and China still dominates in toilet paper revenue with an expected US$26 billion in 2025, compared to US$2.54 billion in the UK. Toilet paper and its alternatives have undergone many developments before becoming a staple household item.

The history of toilet paper

Keeping clean after using the toilet is a universal problem that has had many solutions over time. Our ancient ancestors used all kinds of natural resources, including animal skins, moss, stones, wool, hemp, or even just their hands and water, to clean themselves.

The Romans used communal sponges called tersoriums which were sticks attached to a sponge, and they were placed in buckets filled with vinegar or salt water between uses.

In c. 589, Chinese scholar Yan Zhitui suggested people shouldn’t use paper with ‘quotations or commentaries from the Five Classics or the names of sages […] for toilet purposes’, indicating that during this period people used paper to wipe.

The first purpose-made toilet paper emerged in 1391, when the Bureau of Imperial Supplies made perfumed toilet paper especially for the Chinese Emperor’s family. By the 14th century, in Zhejiang alone 10 million packages of toilet paper were manufactured annually.

In the West, newspapers became popular in the 17th and 18th century and were often used as toilet paper. The catalogue ‘Old Farmer’s Almanac’ became a popular choice for toilet paper and even had a drilled hole in the corner for hanging inside the bathroom.

Toilet paper today

Joseph C. Gayetty created the first commercially available toilet paper in America in 1857. It was sold as ‘Medicated Paper for the Water Closet’, contained aloe vera and was sold in packs of 500.

From here onwards, innovations in the industry accelerated. Scott Paper Company created the first toilet rolls in 1879, turning the flat sheets of toilet paper into a more practical form. Further developments were made by other companies to improve the softness, strength, and absorbency of toilet paper.

While the invention of toilet paper changed the lives of countless people, many people are now moving towards other options to be more environmentally friendly.

The production of toilet paper contributes to deforestation and is often wrapped in plastic, plus the fibres can also contribute significantly to the amount of sewage waste. But if you're looking for alternatives, rest assured, long gone are the days of using moss and stones. These days bidets are steadily growing in popularity, especially after the toilet paper shortage in 2020 during the global covid-19 pandemic.

At Bayou Bathrooms, we offer a range of modern smart toilets that can come with inbuilt bidets and a range of other innovative features and comforts. As a result, you can be more sustainable by producing less waste.

Check out the range of smart toilets we have on offer