Where did all the colored toilet paper go?
Jul 16, 2009
RIP Pink Toilet Paper, Cherished Friend, Companion, and Always There When You Needed It Most; 1950-?
Think about it for a second – When was the last time you reached for some TP and saw anything but the standard white roll? Probably around the same time tie dyed t-shirts and Birkenstocks were still in style, right?
30 years ago colored toilet paper wasn’t the rarity it is today. Introduced in the 50’s and popular throughout the 70’s, many manufacturers produced a variety of colors including pink, blue, yellow, lilac, tan, and black. Homeowners loved matching the color of their toilet paper to the color of their bathrooms (it was the 70’s after all!). So besides the obvious reason that what was hip in the 70’s isn’t anymore, where did all the colored TP go?
According to the King of Toilet Paper, two major events occurred which hurt sales and thus led to the downfall of the colored toilet paper reign:
- Doctors started warning colored toilet paper could lead to skin irritation. As pretty as we once thought it looked, no one wants to deal with that!
- Ecologists also began warning the dye in the colored toilet paper rolls was harmful to the environment.
With an increased cost of production (it costs more to produce colored than white toilet paper) and a decrease in sales, manufacturers began to produce less and less. Up until 5 years ago, Scott was one of the last remaining manufactures to still produce our old friend in beige, blue, and pink. However, they have since cut production all together.
RIP Colored Toilet Paper – From the bottoms of our bottoms, we thank you for the service you have provided us over the years. We’ll miss you.
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Er, well actually, Scott does still, in 2009, seem to make colored toilet paper in their sandpaper 1000-sheet roll versions — but for some odd reason they are only marketed for the Hispanic market. They are marked “Suave Colores” and are available in pink and blue and maybe beige. They come in 1-roll and four-roll packs. I was shocked to see them in a local grocery store the other day and bought a roll of pink for 89-cents (10-2009). Who knows, I may start a trend! I forgot how rare these things have become.
Gee, i scored some from an old estate, kept it stored for 10yrs now, Wow, i can’t believe the the talk on toilet tissue. Do you think it would sell on E-Bay.??
That’s a very interesting observation. However, I will point out that there are still colorful details or pictures on TP still, along with other paper towels.
In a move which should be universally condemned, Scott has discontinued its colored toilet paper products as of December 2009.
They were the last major producer of colored toilet paper in the United States.
No more.
just last week, scott in colors appeared at my wegman’s–99 cent per roll. i was very excited–no beige yet but all other colors…green was lovely for the holidays
me again–commenting on Spectors observations–i went back to Wegmans and lo and belold the colored toilet paper says “Suaves colores” on the wrapper–they have it in pink, blue and green. Does this mean they haven’t discontuned it or is this just one last case of the stuff??
On their last cases. Stock up while you can — and even better, call Scott and complain about them discontinuing the colored versions. Frankly, if it wasn’t for the colors and the nostalgia factor, I wouldn’t be buying that lousy TP. Scott should be trying harder to retain me as a customer. Keep the colors!
I do not trust that colored tissue paper, it seems that it has bad effect to our skin.
its looks like a paper hey..
I don’t think I like the idea of colored toilet paper. Its just not an area that I think it is necessary to have color….
In a move which should be universally condemned, Scott has discontinued its colored toilet paper products as of December 2009.
They were the last major producer of colored toilet paper in the United States.
Wow! I didn’t think there could possibly be this many people interested in this subject as I am. I had been able to get the green Scott’s TP at my local Stop and Shop up until last week. I had been buying it 3 rolls at a time and it went with our vanity top almost exactly as far as the color was concerned. I suspect the main reason they would stop producing it would be cost verses demand. Probably not a whole lot of us buying it. But, the rather small inventory S&S had in stock seemed to sell pretty well. Oh well, it will be missed but plain old white works as well. Just not as pretty.
OMG–we must be related–i bought up most of the colored paper my Wegman’s had. But now that i know that’s it–who do I consider colored toilet paper worthy??
HA! I like the Seinfeld reference…Elaine would be proud! LOL.
My son has just started potty training and colors are his thing. I can make potty training fun and exciting just by giving him the choice of which color t.p. to use, and that makes him successful! WE STILL NEED COLORED T.P. just market it for toddlers! The t.p. companies will be revolutionized!
innovation that is less appropriate. should suffice with white toilet paper
Of course we can “suffice” with white toilet paper, obviously we do. But I just think it would be fun for potty training.
Haven’t seen it in S&S for quite some time now. Just the white stuff. B.O.R.I.N.G. I suppose if there is some health reason to not use it then it should remain obsolete until some paper company can figure out how to make it safely. The green went so well with your bathroom decor though…….
Maybe there are other ways to liven up your bathroom? Funny signs or toilet paper holders perhaps?
Excellent! First of all, i learned that colored toilet papers were already made back in 1950s. Second, i can’t imagine how a black toilet paper looks like.
Black toilet paper, perhaps for halloween?
If you miss the colorfull toilet paper, you can buy some tissue pulls that are covered and some of them have designs too. Just puzzled with it, what will be the difference since you will be using the same toilet paper to wipe the a** that has the same s***? Will it be different if you will be using the colored than the plain white? Just asking anyway.
Good idea, and good point Ginny!
I miss the colored toilet paper…..we used to go toilet papering in the summer….colored toilet paper was so cool hanging from the trees.
I am not comfortable using colored tissue. I believe colored tissues are mixed with more chemicals that may harm my skin and health. I may use colored tissue but not for personal hygiene.
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What else do you use colored tissue for Karen?
Yeah. I didn’t noticed that colored toilet paper is out of the market already. Before I used to see a lot of it with different colors but now I only see white toilet paper.
I don’t use colored toilet paper, but I do have a blue and also a yellow toilet that I am jerking out of my bathrooms–American Standard. Does anyone like THOSE any more?
Colored toilets remind me of my grandmother’s house. I think she had a pink toilet!