Paper Towels and Toilet Paper: How to Beat the \"Mega Roll\" Marketing

Paper towel and toilet paper packaging is where marketing gets creative. "12 mega rolls = 48 regular rolls." Regular according to whom? Here's how to compare properly.

Compare price per sheet or per square foot

Roll counts mean nothing because roll sizes vary. Look at the total number of sheets or total square feet on the package. Divide the price by that number.

Sheet size matters

Some brands have smaller sheets. A "select-a-size" sheet is half a full sheet. Compare square footage for the fairest comparison.

Ply matters for toilet paper

Two-ply and three-ply rolls use more paper per sheet. Compare the price per sheet, but also consider how many sheets you actually use.

Store brands

Store brands often have strong unit prices and decent quality. Warehouse club brands are especially good value.

Buying in bulk

Bulk packs usually offer better unit prices. They take space, though. If storage is tight, buy the next size down.

Subscription and delivery

Online stores offer subscriptions for paper products. They're convenient, but check the unit price against in-store deals.

Reduce waste

• Use cloth towels for spills and cleaning.
• Use reusable cleaning cloths.
• Keep paper towels out of reach of kids who love to pull the whole roll.

Watch for shrinkflation

Rolls sometimes get smaller while prices stay the same. Unit prices reveal it instantly.

Where to buy

Walmart and Target have competitive prices on major brands and their own store brands. Target's paper goods often show up in gift card promotions, which is when I stock up. Amazon offers subscriptions and bulk deliveries, handy if you'd rather not haul a 24-pack home on foot.

Verdict

Ignore roll counts. Compare price per sheet or square foot, try store brands and buy in bulk if you have space.