Toilet paper rolls were invented more than 150 years ago and as long as they’ve been around, the question of the right way to put it on the holder has been a source of disagreements all over the world. While some argue for the “over” position, where the next square of toilet paper is facing the user, others are team “under,” where the next square is facing the wall. And now it seems a scientist has finally settled the debate.
Dr. Primrose Freestone, a professor of clinical microbiology, has declared that the “under” method is actually safer and more effective. But why? She explains that the “over” orientation requires a second hand to touch the roll, which means more risk of contamination before we wipe, and more potential risk of infection.
“There is more handling of the toilet roll from the over position,” Freestone says. “For the under position, there is less likely to be whole roll contamination,” since you only have to use one hand to tear off the toilet paper you need. But since surveys show around 70% of people prefer the over position, it’s doubtful this will get anyone to change their ways.
Source: Daily Mail