What Is Toilet Paper Made Of?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 05, 2023

Toilet paper is made from bleaches (chlorine dioxide), fiber-extracting chemicals, water and trees, but depending on the manufacturing process used, the materials can change. One manufacturing process uses recycled paper, while another uses virgin paper, which is derived from chipped wood.

Toilet paper made from recycled paper goes through a whitening process where chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, peroxide and ozone are used. Other chemicals are used to give the toilet paper a scent or color. The toilet paper that is made from virgin paper uses a combination of 30 percent softwood and 70 percent hardwood. Water, bleaches and chemicals are also used to give the toilet paper colors or scents or to whiten it further.