To test for strength, testers wet each sheet then dropped lead pellets to see how much weight the paper could hold before breaking.
It turns out a one-ply paper was just as strong as many two-ply rolls.
"You need a paper that will break down quickly after it's flushed. It's less likely to cause plumbing problems," said Consumer Reports' Jim Nanni. "Unfortunately, there's no way to tell by the label which paper will do that."
Another important consideration is softness. To determine this, trained sensory panelists touched and squeezed sheets of paper in a humidity-controlled chamber. The lights were dimmed so the testers can focus on the feel.
Testers also looked at how easy it is to tear a sheet of paper from the roll.
In the end, Consumer Reports top-rated Quilted Northern Ultra Plush for overall performance. But for about half the cost, Consumer Reports named Wal-Mart's White Cloud a best buy. While it's not quite as strong, it's soft, breaks up quickly, and it's easy to tear.
Consumer Reports says a couple of other toilet papers are also easy on your wallet. Scott Extra Soft is one. And if you're a Costco member, Kirkland Signature is also a good choice.
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