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Simple Trick for Using Toilet Paper Can Save Money

If the toilet paper roll is not round but oval, it can be advantageous.
If the toilet paper roll is not round but oval, it can be advantageous. Photo: myHOMEBOOK
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April 17, 2026, 7:00 am | Read time: 3 minutes

With sleepy eyes, you head to the bathroom in the morning, and when you try to take a sheet of toilet paper, you accidentally pull too hard. The roll keeps rolling and rolling–instead of one sheet, you’ve suddenly torn off almost the entire roll. This doesn’t have to happen.

During the pandemic, many of us learned how important it is to ration toilet paper–because it was simply unavailable. The supermarket shelves were empty. Although there’s now plenty of paper again, you still shouldn’t be wasteful with it, as prices have risen significantly. For environmental reasons, too, it’s wise to be mindful of usage at home. myHOMEBOOK shows a simple trick that can save you real money.

Save Money on Toilet Paper With This Trick

There are countless types of toilet paper dispensers. Some are simple and practical, while others are stylish and could easily pass as art objects. Many have one thing in common: The toilet paper roll hangs freely in the holder. This can be a disadvantage if you want to live frugally–whether for ecological reasons or financial ones.

Also interesting: Which way should toilet paper actually hang?

If you pull too hard on the first sheet, the toilet paper roll spins several rounds in the holder, releasing too many sheets. This is due to its usually perfectly round shape. However, if you change this shape, you can save quite a bit of money on toilet paper.

How the Trick Works

To use the trick, you just need to change the shape of the roll. It should no longer be round but oval. With an oval shape, the toilet paper roll doesn’t unwind as quickly and usually stops after just a few sheets.

To get an oval toilet paper roll, simply press it firmly once after unpacking. The actual hole in the middle should no longer be round but oval. Now the toilet paper doesn’t unwind as quickly, and you can save resources and money.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

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