Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
super soft, non irritating to skin, safe for pipes and septic tanks, strong |
| Disadvantages: |
not as many varieties and sizes of packages as in the US |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Interestingly enough, paper is first noted in use for after toileting in the 6th century, when a turkish scholar wrote about it during a trip to China. They did not make paper just for this purpose, but a contemporary to the times Chinese scholar and official wrote that he dared not use any piece that contained the name of the sages nor any parts of the works of their Five Classics. Other than that, recycling into toilet paper seemed to be the okie dokie thing to do. It was not until the 14th century that the Chinese actually produced toilet tissue paper, but I doubt we would recognise it as such as it was produced in a large sheet that measured two by three feet. I am guessing they just tore off what they needed.
The first toilet paper we would recognise as being what we as a modern society typically have in our bathrooms was made by the British Perforated Paper Company in 1880. The Scott Paper Company also made a modern type roll, but theirs did not have perforated sheets for easier tearing as the British Paper Company's did, but they were the first to put it on a roll. While Scott continues to make toilet paper bearing their name (with perforations), it is now owned by the Kimberly Clark company. As more people became more affluent and could afford comfort, they abandoned using old newspapers and almanacs, and such things and purchased toilet paper. Comfort and softness combined with convenience was the name of the game, and so it was that in 1928 the Hoberg Paper Company of Wisconsin entered the market with their own ultra soft toilet paper, Charmin.
Later purchased by Proctor and Gamble, Charmin surged into popularity in the US during the 60's and 70's becoming a market leader, thanks to a series of iconic advertisements. These advertisements featured actor Dick Wilson (also well known for his repeat roles in Bewitched as the drunk at the bar Darrin frequents) as the grocery manager Mr. Whipple. Poor Mr. Whipple was always having to ask the ladies to not stand about squeezing the Charmin. He would indignantly take the package away, only to be seen squeezing it to feel the luxurious softness himself. The packaging at the time still featured a baby on the front from a 1950's ad campaign, to show it was soft enough to use on a baby and was baby soft. The packaging and the commercials were re-imagined in 2000 to mark the expansion of the brand into Canada.
Canada is well known for its forests and for being full of bears, so a subtle play on the phrase "Do bears .... in the woods" was devised without the phrase itself ever being uttered. Cute cartoon bears were shown arranging their needs in the woods and using Charmin. This coincided with the release of the newest Charmin Ultra, which was softer and more absorbent, so fewer sheets were needed, so a new catchphrase was also devised, "With Charmin Ultra ... less is more." More cute woodland animal themes followed in the ads, with little cubs being added and so on. These are the ads we saw here in the UK, as shortly after being introduced to Canada, the ads and the product were both rolled out here to the UK with great success.
I have to say I was delighted to see the advertisements appear, though I missed Mr. Whipple, and to discover this was the same product I had trusted for years back in the US of A. I admit to being paranoid about toilet paper. I hate paper that gets turned to mush instantly and makes for soggy hands or possibly worse, if it then tears during a wipe. I hate paper that is strongly bleached, as some firms use so much chlorine to whiten their paper, enough remains in the product to cause me inflammation. Yet others leave behind minute particles of paper fluff that leave me itchy. And worse yet is the sort that leaves particles AND has strong bleach or irritating dyes, giving me itchy rash five minutes later.
Charmin does none of things to me. While it is bleached, it is tested to be skin friendly. it is quilted for softness, and is specifically designed to hold up while in use, but to break down quickly in water once submerged, making it safe for pipes and septic tanks. This has meant that many people use the product with success in their chemical camping toilets, without getting inferiority soft made for camping toilets loo roll, ourselves included. if you are worried about blocked drains, consider the fact that blockages are often caused by using too much paper, so care should be used when younger children are using the loo roll (I taught mine how much to tear off by pre-tearing off strips and putting them in a Tupperware box for them, and then when they could demonstrate they knew how to take only the right amount, they were allowed to tear it off from the roll), and other factors such as grease, hair, and limescale. Regular use of limescale reducing agents will help keep blockages down from these items, and keep the pipes open to their designed diameter. As a matter of interest, Charmin and Andrex both take about 26 minutes to break down.
As it is quilted and not merely air puffed, there are no small but visible particulates that come off against the skin to leave itch behind or cause other irritations. The paper is perfume and dye free, so suitable for people with sensitivities, such as myself.
No one likes to admit to having piles, but I will own up to it as it is quite relevant to a review on toilet tissue paper. I occasionally have these flare up, and can honestly say that this paper does not aggravate them. It is the ONLY paper I have tried which passes that test! So, super soft, good for septics and pipe friendly, absorbent, and strong. That leaves how much is it, and where you can buy it.
Well, Charmin is available at most shops that sell toilet paper. Asda sell the four roll package for £1, Morrison's £1.88, Sainsbury's £1.77, and Tesco for £1.77. All prices courtesy of Tesco Price Check, showing they indeed have every little helps. for themselves. Ha! Anyway, at the Asda £1 price, you can see it compares favourably to bargain rolls, as you use more paper as they are not as absorbent or strong. So while you might get 6 rolls, they last on average only as long as 4 rolls of Charmin, and are nowhere near the softness. Just don't squeeze the Charmin!
| More Reviews |
 Buy It, You Bum
Review of Charmin Toilet Tissue by
ms19
Advantages: soft, luxurious, cute bear
Disadvantages: -
...to help others and so Charmin is what I will write about. Some of us call it toilet roll others less proper call it bog roll or some call it toilet tissue either way it's all the same thing but is Charmin any better than it's competitors.
Charmin's name was first created in 1928 by the Hoberg Paper Company in Wisconsin. The toilet paper was described as charming and that is still what we refer to it as 78 years later.
The first time I heard of ...
...it and got my free Charmin bear which I still have and it's the softest little thing ever. Anyway, the bear has stuck and still seems to be the major iconic Charmin figure. Like most people when they go to the toilet I hate toilet paper that is so cheap. It's either the kind that the top layer falls apart from the second when they are meant to be together to be thick. I also hate when I tear the paper off the roll and one half of the next square ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful |
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very helpful
03.05.2006
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CHARMIN WHITE - THATS ALRIGHT
Review of Charmin Toilet Tissue by
BeeHappy
Advantages: wonderfully soft and last ages
Disadvantages: always sold first off the shelf....
Charmin Toilet Tissue
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bums Up I say.!!!!
Background
~~~~~~~~~~
After being an avid Andrex user for the past 20 years I would have sworn to anybody that it was the softest longest roll. Along with the very cute dogs they advertise it with in 100% cuteness.
Then one fateful day I went to my local Sainsbury’s only to discover no White Andrex on the shelf.
Note: I am one of these sad people who have to have the correct colour ...
...had been going on about Charmin at the weekend but I had not taken much notice…….
I spotted a nice thick pack 4 Double Rolls = 8 Single rolls………… Em I thought Would this last longer………………?
It seemed a bit pricey at £3.29 on my weekly shop but always one to take a chance – lets try it I thought………..
Toilet Tissue Revolution
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had on my loo roll a little of my old Andrex left so I put it to the softness and thickness touch ...
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very helpful
01.11.2002
(17.11.2002)
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 YOU WIPE YOUR BUM ON IT
Review of Charmin Toilet Tissue by
blurbubble
Advantages: Does the job, not too badly priced
Disadvantages: Nothing special compared to others
...a four roll pack of Charmin Ultra rather than my usual Tesco own brand. It was on offer for £1.59 for a four roll pack which didn’t seem a bad price so I went for it.
Despite the adverts which would have you believe this is the softest thing since sliced bread (WHAT?? On your BUM??!) I didn’t find it particularly different to any others I’ve used. It’s white, has a cardboard inner tube, is 2 ply and has a sort of dotted embossed effect on it. I ...
...much the same – even the packaging is nothing special. However, if you’re that way inclined, you can save up the special tokens and send off for a cuddly Charmin Bear or Flamingo as featured on the TV adverts – maybe they will be softer than the toilet paper?! ...
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very helpful
20.02.2002
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 Charmin Leaves Other Loo Rolls In The Shade!
Review of Charmin Toilet Tissue by
micksheff
Advantages: Very Absorbent
Disadvantages: Quite Expensive
...arrival in my Bathroom are Charmin Toilet Rolls which I paid £3.69 for in my local CO-OP and it is these that are the inspiration behind this review.
The Background
Charmin Toilet Rolls were first manufactured in 1928 by the Hoberg Paper Company who were based in Wisconsin, USA. The original packaging was designed to reflect the feminine fashions of the day and featured a silhouette of a woman's head from a cameo pin and this became known as the ...
...worldwide.
The Product
Charmin Toilet Rolls are available in a wide range of different varieties. These include Original, Ultra, Plus with Lotion, Scents, Aloe & E Lotion Free, Basic, Fresh Mates, Kids Fresh, Comfort and Mega Range.
They are also available in different pack sizes starting from a twin pack with just 2 Rolls, 4 Pack, 9 Pack and 18 Pack. These are the variations available to the average shopper in all of the above varieties but some ...
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very helpful
27.10.2005
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 Charmin...not really
Review of Charmin Toilet Tissue by
kazziebears
Advantages: Very soft
Disadvantages: Doesn't always flush away that well
...that I am still using Charmin though, to soothe sneezey noses, and remove all that party make-up..after a great night out! And…bin it…don’t flush! That’s it! You will be relieved to know that I didn’t have to resort to bits of newspaper and string!
UPDATE
So...here we are a few years later and I am pleased to report that we are still having zero blockages, chez moi! We use Andrex most of the while unless we have filthy ...
...the cheapest stuff poss and bin it, don't flush!
Incidentally I have been generous to a fault and shared my cold with my beloved. But as is to be expected he hasn't got a common cold, Oh No! He has got double pneumonia with a touch of pleurisy thrown in, as we all know is the case with the male of the species!
Anyway I have to go, my Lord and Master calleth from the depths of a duvet on the sofa. I expect he wants me to switch the tv over for him, ...
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very helpful
23.04.2001
(25.09.2001)
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This product has not yet been reviewed. 
09.06.2003
