According to Cottonelle:
It’s the OG of TP
Here’s one for all the history buffs out there. Seth Wheeler’s 1891 patent shows the original placement of the toilet paper roll using an “over” approach.
- 70%1 of wipers already prefer this position
Not that you should ever blindly follow the crowd, but a whopping 70% of the population prefers the “over” position. - Makes it easier to grab
Because the toilet paper is already closer towards you, it makes it easier to grab from a seated position. - Less contact with bathroom surfaces
When the toilet paper is hung “under”, your knuckles could rub against the wall as you tearoff a sheet. This action may transmit germs onto the wall or other bathroom surfaces2 - Makes it easier to tear
Facing the paper away from the wall generally makes it easier to tear.
- Looks “tidier”
The first supporting point for the “under” technique is that it offers a cleaner look. With the toilet paper closer to the wall and the paper hanging behind the roll, it does make for a more minimalist visual. - Limits accidental unrolling
If you have a pet at home who is prone to playing with the toilet paper, then you might want to give the “under” technique a try. Because the roll hangs against the wall, there’s enough tension to keep the roll secure in its place. - Increased difficulty in unrolling leads to lower/more economical usage
Sometimes it just takes less accessibility to make us realize the consequences of our actions. This goes for wiping, too. Because the “under” method is a little bit more difficult to unroll, users are less likely to use excessive amounts3 of toilet paper when using the toilet.
Looks “tidier”I am with the majority on this one; however, when I sometimes drop a full roll into the toilet bowl – neither way really works.
