Whatever you call it – bog roll, TP, thunder sheets or others names we can’t say here – it’s got one main job and you want it to do it well.

Two ply or three? Double length or triple? Patterned or embossed? Recycled or bamboo? Since when did toilet paper become so complicated?

If you choose toilet paper that’s rough, tears at the worst moment, or clogs up your pipes, you’re basically flushing money down the toilet.

Stats show that each Aussie rolls through about 10kg of toilet paper per year, so this is a purchase you want to get right.

To help you get the best dunny roll for your dollar, here’s a handy round-up of the best and worst performers in our latest toilet paper review.

How we test to find the best

Our experts selected 42 of the most popular products and tested them to see which is the tip-top TP.

They score each product on four key areas:

1. Softness (Is it gentle?)
2. Separation (Does it tear off easily?)
3. Strength (Will it rip when you wipe?)
4. Sewer-friendliness (Will it clog your bog?)

We use these scores to give each product an overall score. We call it a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating.

For a loo roll to be recommended by our experts, it needs a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating of at least 70%, plus scores of 65% and higher on all four tests.

To misquote Meatloaf, three out of four ain’t bad – but when it comes to toilet paper, you really want an all-rounder. 

Compromising on even one of these elements can land you in a sticky situation, but if you choose a toilet paper recommended by our experts, it’ll deliver on all fronts (and backsides).

On a roll: The best toilet paper

Here are the products that our experts recommend as being best for your bottom.

Quilton 4 Ply Softness Gold

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 78% (Recommended)
• Softness score: 90%
• Price: 69c per 100 sheets

Quilton Shea Butter in Gold 4 Ply

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 77% (Recommended)
• Softness score: 90%
• Price: 69c per 100 sheets

Vevelle (Woolworths) Luxury Soft Double Length

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 77% (Recommended)
• Softness score: 80%
• Price: 29c per 100 sheets

Quilton King Size 25% Larger Sheets in Gold 4 Ply

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 76% (Recommended)
• Softness score: 90%
• Price: 63c per 100 sheets

Naturale 100% Recycled 3 Ply Softness

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 75% (Recommended)
• Softness score: 80%
• Price: 28c per 100 sheets

Best budget buys

When every dollar matters, it’s hard to justify spending extra on something that literally ends up going down the gurgler.

Some of the top scoring TPs in our test are also at the top end of the price range, costing up to 69 cents per 100 sheets, which can really add up when you’re literally buying kilos of the stuff every year.

But if you’re on a budget, do you have to settle for bog-standard bog roll? Not necessarily. 

Look out for our Best Buy products: they offer great value for money but may not quite meet the criteria to be recommended. To be classified as a Best Buy, the product must score at least 70% in our performance tests but also cost 30c or less per sheet.

This means that they all scored well across most tests, but some may have fallen short in others.

Many didn’t fare well in our puncture test, for example – which measures how likely your finger is to burst through the paper mid-wipe. That’s a real bummer.

If you don’t mind rolling the dice on the dunny, though, these are great toilet papers in other respects.

At a budget-friendly 18 to 30 cents per 100 sheets, our Best Buys are a good choice on face value, but some perhaps not so much on the, er, other end.

Saving money on essentials feels good, but you just can’t put a price on knowing that your toilet paper isn’t going to give way mid-wipe.

Our equal-highest scoring Best Buy is the Coles So Soft & Strong 3 Ply Embossed White Double Length with a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating of 78% and a cost of 30 cents per sheet.

It received solid scores in most of our tests, just falling short of a recommendation due to its performance in the puncture test (64%).  

Another supermarket own-brand buy, the Woolworths’ own-label Vevelle White Toilet Tissue 1 Ply, also has a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating of 78%. It scored highly in the softness stakes and is very kind to your budget – it’s the cheapest roll in our review at just 18 cents per sheet. But it let the team down in the puncture test with a nerve-wracking score of 45% (not surprising given its 1-ply status).

If you’re petrified of a puncture in your paper but you’re still on a budget, a cent extra per sheet gets you an extra ply (and another Best Buy) with Vevelle White Toilet Tissue 2 Ply. It scores high on softness and a slightly more respectable 65% in our puncture test.

(Bear in mind that toilet paper prices can change frequently; these prices were correct at the time of testing.)

Best eco-friendly toilet paper

ÌÇÐÄVlog has been reviewing toilet paper for close to 25 years, and in the past, recycled, eco-friendly toilet paper hasn’t traditionally had a great reputation for softness or quality.

“Toilet paper that’s kind to the planet may not always be kind to your behind,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog expert Chris Barnes.

This year, however, we’re able to recommend two 100% recycled toilet papers that hit the sweet spot on softness, price and performance (both Australian owned).

• Naturale 100% Recycled 3 Ply Softness scores 80% for softness, 74% for sewer-friendliness, 65% for strength and 78% for ease of sheet separation. 
• The Yarn’n 100% Recycled Aussie Manufactured Deadly Dunny Paper comes recommended by our experts with a score of 74% (and scoring well on sewer-friendliness and softness). It’s one of the high rollers when it comes to price though, at 43 cents per sheet. 

If you’re willing to put your money where your eco-credentials are, the next-highest scoring 100% recycled paper in our review Who Gives A Crap 100% Recycled Classic Soft Double Length scored a respectable 71% but also comes in at a pricey 36 cents per sheet.

Bog-clogging toilet papers to avoid 

If you have a sensitive sewage system at home, you’ll want to give these a miss. They’re all quite soft (scoring between 70% and 80%), but all of them scored poorly on our disintegration test. 

That means they take far longer to break up after flushing than most other toilet papers.

Kleenex Complete Clean

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 53%
• Disintegration score: 5%
• Price: 56 cents per 100 sheets

Kleenex Complete Clean Double Length

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 53%
• Disintegration score: 5%
• Price: 52 cents per 100 sheets

iCare Luxury Eco Toilet Tissue 3 Ply

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 55%
• Disintegration score: 17%
• Price: 56 cents per 100 sheets

iCare Double Length Tissue

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 55%
• Disintegration score: 17%
• Price: 39 cents per 100 sheets

How to save money on toilet paper

With the current cost of living, every little saving counts. And since toilet paper is a staple that you’ll use every single day, it makes sense to get the best deal possible so you’re not just flushing money down the toilet.

Toilet paper prices change frequently. And between sale prices, double-length rolls and bulk packs, it can be tricky to know whether you’re getting the best price. The best way to tell is to check the unit price so you can compare how much you’re paying per 100 sheets. 

If you have the storage space, buying in bulk is usually (but not always) cheaper, so check those unit prices before you settle on a pack that’s cheaper overall.

The age-old question: Over or under?

We have a conclusive answer to the controversial question of whether to hang your toilet paper over or under the roll. At risk of permanently losing members, we’re here to answer it once and for all: over is the correct method.

Perforated toilet paper was invented in 1871 by US inventor Seth Wheeler. He subsequently re-patented his invention in roll form in 1891.

His patent application includes detailed diagrams that clearly show the paper going up and over the roll, not under. 

So placing your toilet paper overhand is using this wonder product precisely as its creator intended.

Don’t agree? Join the conversation in our and tell us why. 

Know the products to avoid before you shop. Get our free guide and buy smarter.

Sign up

Read our privacy policy

The post The best and worst toilet paper we tested appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Induction cooktops
• Dehumidifiers
• Coffee machines
• Stick vacuums
• Multi-cookers
• Fitness trackers and smart watches

A well-designed appliance really can change our lives, freeing us from drudgery and giving us extra time and energy for more meaningful activities.Ìý

The washing machine freed us from slaving over a hot copper and mangle, reducing an entire day (or even days) dedicated to washing down to just a few hours. And dishwashers make short work of multiple loads of washing and drying the dishes by hand (while hiding the dirty dishes in the interim).Ìý

Vacuum cleaners did away with laborious sweeping and beating carpets, and fridges improved food safety and reduced the need to shop as frequently.Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog experts deal with hundreds of appliances each year, so they’ve seen fads come and go. Here are the recent product innovations that they think are game-changers.Ìý

Induction cooktops

The very idea of induction cooktops sounds like something out of a 1960s sci-fi novel: an electro-magnetic force field that cooks your food. What’s next? A box that heats food by vibrating the water molecules? (Oh, wait – that’s a microwave.)

But seriously, induction cooking is changing the way we cook and – importantly – the energy that we use to power our cooktops. Gas has typically been considered more environmentally friendly than burning wood or coal, but there’s no getting around it: it’s still a fossil fuel that creates greenhouse gases. And gas extraction methods also have significant environmental impacts, even before the gas is burned.Ìý

Recent research also points to gas appliances causing poor indoor air quality, which can have a nasty effect on your family’s health.Ìý

Induction cooking delivers the responsiveness of gas cooking without those negative environmental and health impacts. (Obviously, induction cooktops still use electricity, but if you have solar panels or you’re buying green power you can significantly reduce your environmental impact by using them.)

Induction cooktops actually heat pans faster than gas, and give you better temperature control. They’re easier to clean and have safety features like automatic shut-off if a pan boils dry or you remove cookware from the cooking surface.Ìý

Want to know more about induction cooking? Our experts explain how to buy the best induction cooktop.Ìý

Dehumidifiers

With the wild weather conditions of the last few years, dehumidifiers have been in high demand, and it’s easy to see why: a damp home can quickly turn into a mouldy health hazard, so an appliance that reduces moisture in the air will make a big difference.Ìý

If you’re renting or can’t afford to renovate to improve ventilation and structural problems, a dehumidifier is a good investment. And if your home has been affected by a flood, leak or water damage, a dehumidifier can be your saving grace.Ìý

They’re not cheap, though, and even some of the expensive ones can be hit-and-miss, so it’s really important to make sure you’re spending your money on a dehumidifier that works well.

Most of the models our experts recommend cost $500 or more, so if you want a good one, be prepared to spend that or even more. Unfortunately, the cheaper models we’ve tested tend to perform poorly, with the cheapest dehumidifier we tested scoring just 3% for water removal.

Can’t afford one? If you already have air conditioning, you could use the ‘dry’ mode to remove some moisture from the air. Otherwise, ensuring good air flow using ceiling fans and pedestal fans will help.Ìý

We’ve also analysed how effective DampRid is compared to a dehumidifier if you’re on a tight budget and you only have a mild mould or damp issue.Ìý

Trying to justify the purchase? Your dehumidifier can also do an extra shift in the laundry after it’s finished drying out your bathroom. “Besides the obvious first purpose, a good dehumidifier will dry a basket of wet clothes overnight in the laundry room, which has saved us a lot of hassle and dryer use during the wet months,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog staffer Tom.Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog verifier Wendy uses a dehumidifier in concert with an air purifier at home. “They help keep the mould and allergens down in my house and have improved my indoor air quality so much,” she says.Ìý

Coffee machines

If instant coffee just doesn’t hit the spot but you’re choking on the cost of shop-bought coffee, a home espresso machine can save your weekly budget and your tastebuds. And getting your caffeine fix without getting out of your pyjamas is a big plus. Sign us up!

You can pick up a pretty good machine without overstretching your credit card – not to mention that in the long run you’ll be spending much less by DIYing your brew. We calculated that you’ll spend $1500 a year or even more if you buy just one coffee a day from your local cafe – that’s not a cheap habit! 

Is it worth buying a home espresso machine? Our cost analysis says yes.Ìý

With the cost of living skyrocketing along with the price of coffee, we predict that more and more Australians will try their hand at home-brewed coffee.Ìý

You don’t need to be a barista to produce a tasty coffee at home. Depending on your budget, skill level and just how involved you want to be in the process, you can find the right machine for you, from a basic pod machine to a hands-on manual machine to an automatic machine that does all the work with the press of a button.Ìý

To get you started, we can help you decide which coffee machine is right for you. And then when you’re ready to take the plunge (lol), here are the best coffee machines under $600. Or you can read our full home espresso coffee machine reviews to find your perfect match.Ìý

Stick vacuums

Doing the vacuuming used to mean dragging out a heavy, cumbersome upright vac and heaving it around the room while gradually becoming industrially deaf from the noisy motor. At least it was a good workout, right?

Stick vacs have revolutionised the way we clean, making quick clean-ups of high-traffic areas possible in less time than it’d take to lug out your heavy vacuum, plug it in and put it away again.Ìý

They’re also light and generally easy to manoeuvre, which means that cleaning the kitchen won’t wipe you out, so you’ll have more energy for other housekeeping tasks (or better yet, leisure activities).Ìý

While you can spend well over $1000 on a stick vacuum, there are cheaper models out there that well and truly deliver suck for your buck. We’ve rounded up three of the best stick vacs under $250 to help free you from a corded vacuum on the cheap.Ìý

An appliance that makes light work of boring housework? That’s definitely a game-changer in our book!

Multi-cookers

First, there was the slow cooker: it revolutionised the way we cook by taking care of dinner while you’re out of the house, meaning you could come home to a hot meal after doing some basic prep in the morning.

ÌÇÐÄVlog’s kitchen experts still swear by slow cookers: they make cooking healthy, cheap, flavoursome meals a cinch; they’re affordable to buy and run; and they’ll save you money because they’re great for batch cooking so you can always pull something out of the freezer instead of buying expensive takeaway.Ìý

If a slow cooker was already a game-changer, the invention of the multi-cooker really took things to the next level. The clever fusion of a slow cooker and a pressure cooker, the multi-cooker is one of the most versatile kitchen appliances you can own, giving you the option to cook low and slow or to bash out dinner quick smart.Ìý

Most multi-cookers now include plenty of other functions too, including steaming, searing, rice cooking, yoghurt making and more. And some multi-cookers now have air frying capabilities, so we can add air frying to that list. There’s not much a multi-cooker can’t do!

“I think multi-cookers are still more useful than a standalone air fryer, but the combination of a multi-cooker and an air fryer is a game-changer,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog kitchen expert Fiona Mair.

“Apart from having fewer appliances on your countertops and in your cupboards, they are very versatile, giving you ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ forms of cooking.

“Regular multi-cookers are great for long, slow cooking but don’t have the ability to crisp or brown foods such as roast meat or veggies. If your multi-cooker has an air fryer function, you can use it for crisping up your roast after slow cooking, making roast veggies and browning and crisping the tops of casseroles and gratins.

“Multi-cookers with air fryers are perfect for kitchens that lack an oven, small kitchens and things like motor homes and RVs.”

Our experts put multi-cookers under the microscope in our kitchen lab, assessing their ability to cook chilli beef, lamb shanks, white rice and brown rice, and how easy they are to use and clean – so you can find the best multi-cooker to revolutionise how you cook.Ìý

Fitness trackers and smart watches

Watches used to do just one thing: tell the time. But now there’s so much more you can do: record your step count and how far you’ve run, track your sleep, monitor your heart rate, get alerts for your messages, reply to texts, and even track your location. And they often link to apps so you can see more detailed breakdowns of your activities.

They’re essentially a mini smartphone for your wrist. But they’re generally not cheap: the models we’ve tested run from $399 to as high as $1399 for an Apple Watch so make sure you only pay for what you want or need.

While not as versatile, a more affordable option is a fitness tracker or fitness band. They don’t do quite as many things as a smart watch, but they’re perfect for monitoring your exercise and various aspects of health, such as heart rate and sleep quality.

Some smart watches and fitness trackers can also double as a personal alarm for elderly people or anyone who is at risk of falls or wandering off.Ìý

Dedicated personal alarms can be problematic for a number of reasons – and in fact, we gave the entire product category a Shonky Award for being unreliable and hard to use. Buying a smart watch with fall detection and health monitoring features instead can offer similar protections but with all the added utility of a smart watch.

“My mother has an Apple Watch, mainly for the fall detection feature,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog appliance expert Kim Gilmour.

“Her model has mobile connectivity so she doesn’t need her phone nearby if she needs to make or answer phone calls. It also monitors any irregularities in her heartbeat and reminds her to keep moving now and again.

“She hasn’t had to use it in an emergency, thank goodness, but she finds it reassuring.”

The products that have changed ÌÇÐÄVlogrs’ lives

We asked ÌÇÐÄVlog testers and staff to tell us which products have made the biggest impact on their lives. Here’s what they said.Ìý

• It’s a steam mop for me. No more big buckets of soapy water and a wet floor that takes hours to dry. – Laura
• My Vitamix. I use it every single day, multiple times a day, and it’s a godsend especially if you’re on a health kick or have little kids. I use it to make purees, smoothies and popsicles, to whizz up berries for yoghurt or porridge, and for making soup. It’s great to help you get a wider variety of ingredients into your diet, and it’s so powerful that everything is blitzed in seconds. – Pru
• I have two favourite products, and both are for the same reason: speed. My portable induction cooktop boils a saucepan of water or heats a frypan so much faster than our old electric cooktop elements. And when you have hungry children at dinnertime, an air fryer is a saviour as it cuts down the cooking time dramatically. – Danny
• A recent purchase that has changed my life is my water flosser (aka water pick) – it’s made a real difference to my dental health. – Chris
• The auto-doser on my washing machine was a real game-changer and the absence of one would now be a deal-breaker if we had to replace this machine. It’s not just the convenience of not having to dose it manually each time, it was more about the chemical safety and spillage aspect if you have younger children. Having the auto-doser meant I could delegate the kids to do their own washing while they were still fairly young… what a time-saver that’s been! – Deanna
• A good-quality coffee grinder is a must-have for me. Yes, it’s an additional cost and a whole extra appliance sitting on your bench but you just cannot beat freshly ground coffee vs pod or pre-ground. And it’s still way cheaper than buying a coffee every day! – Rebekah
• I used to loathe cleaning windows or any kind of glass but my window vac makes it so much faster and simpler. It never leaves streaks and cuts the job down to about a third of the time. – Chris
• My electric toothbrush – it pulses every 30 seconds so I move to a different quadrant and get the full two minutes of brushing without having to time myself. Is that incredibly dorky? – Marg
• My husband loves the smart tap timer. It checks whether it’s going to rain and if sufficient rain is likely, it lets you know that the sprinklers won’t run. But you can override this via the phone app, and you don’t even have to be anywhere nearby – you can do it from the pub or while out to dinner! – Deanna
• Blenders are a game-changer because they allow you to take in a lot of fruit, vegetables and protein in smoothie form. – Vincent
• Stick blenders with interchangeable attachments are essentially several appliances in one. They’re more cost-effective, easier to clean and take up way less space than having a food processor, stick blender and stand mixer in the kitchen. – Rebekah
• Getting mesh Wi-Fi saved us in my former sharehouse during lockdown. – Rafi
• The one for us is the carpet shampooer. With toilet training and two dogs, it has been the best. It’s oddly satisfying to see how much dirt comes out. – Amanda
• In terms of tech, simply being able to share and sync dates and appointments in each other’s calendars has been a big home-life admin upgrade. – Tracy

The post Our top 6 game-changing products appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• The best value bathroom cleaning products
• The best value toilet paper
• The best value tissues

But while they’re not a fun way to spend your money, products such as toilet paper, tissues and toilet cleaners are necessities for most of us.Ìý

And unfortunately if you buy the absolute cheapest product available, you might end up disappointed and even downright uncomfortable.

To help keep your budget and your frustration levels in check, we’ve rounded up the bathroom products that deliver the best performance for the best price.Ìý

The best value bathroom cleaning products

Cleaning the bathroom is a job most of us don’t enjoy, so spending more money than you need to on cleaning products for a task you dislike is a double-whammy.Ìý

Thankfully, our expert testers have uncovered the budget-friendly products that’ll take the pain out of cleaning so you won’t be flushing as much money down the toilet.

Two of these products are only available at Aldi and IGA, so in case you can’t access these stores where you live, we’ve also included products that you can pick up at Coles and Woolworths.

The best value toilet cleaners

Aldi Power Force Bright & Clean Oxy Thick Toilet Gel

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 75% (Recommended)
• Price: 31 cents per 100mL

Coles Ultra Advanced Oxy Action Toilet Gel

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 70% (Recommended)
• Price: 33 cents per 100mL

The best value bathroom cleaners

Community Co Clean Freak Bath & Shower Cleaner

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 88% (Recommended)
• Price: 33 cents per 100mL

Earth Choice Bath & Shower Rapid Clean

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 88% (Recommended)
• Price: 47 cents per 100mL

The best value toilet paper

Some toilet paper products cost as much as 69 cents per 100 sheets – that adds up quickly, especially if you have a large family.Ìý

Buying the cheapest toilet paper on offer might save some dollars, but is it really worth it if you’re stuck slogging through roll upon roll of scratchy toilet paper that tears mid-wipe?

If you shop smart you can pick up toilet paper that’s soft, strong and kind to your budget.Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog tip: When you’re looking for affordable TP, don’t just look at the overall price: the price per 100 sheets will give you a much better indication of value for money.Ìý

Here are our experts’ top picks for loo roll that ticks all the boxes. (As above, we’ve included options available at Coles or Woolworths in case you can’t get to an Aldi store.)

Best overall budget buy

Aldi Confidence 3 ply Extra Soft Toilet Tissue

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 76% (Recommended)
• Softness score: 90%
• Price: 25 cents per 100 sheets

Coles So Soft & Strong 3 ply Hypo-allergenic

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 71% (Recommended)
• Softness score: 70%
• Price: 30 cents per 100 sheets

Best value recycled toilet paper

Coles So Soft & Strong 100% Recycled Toilet Tissue 3 ply

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 74% (Recommended)
• Softness score: 80%
• Price: 30 cents per 100 sheets

The best value tissues

When you’re struck down with a nasty head cold, you’ll plough through a box of tissues in no time. And with tissues costing up to $6.48 per 100 sheets, that’s a big blow to your shopping budget – especially if the whole household is sick.Ìý

Our expert tissue reviews tell you which tissues:

• are the softest
• are strong and can resist puncturing
• absorb the most liquid
• won’t tear easily when wet.

Unfortunately, the cheapest products we tested didn’t perform well on these measures.ÌýSo if you’re shopping during cold and flu season, you might need to spend a bit more to find a good balance between cash and comfort.Ìý

While they’re not the cheapest, these tissues hit the sweet spot between performance and price. They’re recommended by our experts.

Best value box of tissues

Quilton Extra Thick Hypo-allergenic 3 ply Soft 110 Tissues

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 70% (Recommended)
• Absorption score: 71%
• Price: $3.45 per 100 tissues

Best overall budget buy

Woolworths Azure Hypoallergenic Pocket Tissues 6 pack

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 72% (Recommended)
• Absorption score: 75%
• Price: $2.59 per 100 tissues

The post Best value bathroom buys appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• How to unclog a blocked toilet
• What makes toilet paper so special?
• Can you flush paper towels or tissues down the toilet?
• Can you flush baby wipes, moist towelettes or 'flushable' wipes down the toilet?
• What to do if you run out of toilet paper

The COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how tenuous our toilet paper supply chain can be, and you may have even had to resort to alternatives like tissues, baby wipes, paper towels or even newspaper to get you through until normality returned to supermarket shelves.

They all work, of course, but many of us learned the hard way that you can’t flush them down the toilet (they’re not water soluble) and were left with an expensive plumbing bill.

So what should you do if you’re ever caught short again? And if your toilet’s already blocked, how can you fix it?

How to unclog a blocked toilet

Reach in yourself (sorry)

To start with, you’ll want to try reaching in and dislodging any obstructions in the bowl or S-bend. Yes, it’s going to be unpleasant, but it’s an unavoidable first step.

Use a plunger

Still blocked? OK, now wash your hands thoroughly, grab your plunger and get to it – plungers aren’t expensive, so although you’re not going to be using it on a daily basis (we hope) it’s handy to have one in the house in case of emergencies. Modern plungers have a bellows-like design and are more effective than the plungers of old, but you’ll probably still need to work it up and down a fair bit. If this works, then great – you’re back in business.Ìý

Call a plumber

If plunging away has driven you round the bend but ultimately failed to clear the blockage, it might be time to call a professional. Plumbers have a whole range of specialist tools, such as electric eels and other nifty devices, which can make short work of blocked pipes. Plumbers can be expensive, particularly if you need one at short notice and/or in the dead of night, but it’s probably money well spent.

If you’re an owner-occupier, you can call whichever plumber you like. But if you’re renting, then your landlord may have specified which emergency plumber you have to call. This may mean the costs are covered, but it also means that if you don’t use that plumber you may be liable for the full cost.

If you don’t have a nominated emergency plumber, or if the agent’s changed plumbers and hasn’t notified you, you can still call a plumber, but you’ll most likely need to pay upfront and attempt to recover costs from the agent later. Make sure you keep all receipts and be prepared that you may have an uphill battle on your hands.

What makes toilet paper so special?

Toilet paper has a unique requirement. It needs to safely navigate the array of pipes, bends and subterranean channels between toilet and wastewater treatment plant without causing any blockages, and without the need for human intervention.

Toilet paper needs to be readily water soluble, while still being strong enough to safely do its job. This important characteristic is a key element in our toilet paper tests, and according to Sydney Water, anything that takes longer than a minute to dissolve from when it goes down your toilet can cause problems.

Can you flush paper towels or tissues down the toilet?

No, you can’t. In contrast to toilet paper, things like tissues and paper towels are designed to retain their strength as much as possible, especially when wet.

Flush a tissue or paper towel down the toilet and it won’t break down, at least not readily, so it’s a prime candidate to clog your pipes.Ìý

Can you flush baby wipes, moist towelettes or ‘flushable’ wipes down the toilet?

No – they’re just not that flushable. According to Sydney Water, about 75% of all sewer blockages involve wet wipes, and they have to remove around 500 tonnes of wipes from the sewer system each year.

We’ve reported widely on this vast problem and as a result manufacturers have ‘redesigned’ their flushable wipes, claiming they’re flushable – but they’re not. We’ve found even the new ones still don’t break down readily in the sewer system.

“Just because something is flushable doesn’t mean it breaks down,” a Sydney Water spokesperson told us in our article on the messy truth about flushable wipes. “Technically, my phone is flushable, but that doesn’t mean it should go down the toilet.”

Look closely at the wrapping of your toilet paper and you might see a note telling you to finish the job with one of the new, improved flushable wipes. If you do end up using them, be sure to place them in a bin, not down the loo.

What to do if you run out of toilet paper

So the worst has happened and your supply of toilet paper is exhausted. You may be tempted to reach for alternatives: tissues, baby wipes, paper towels or even newspapers. And you absolutely should – but you still shouldn’t put them down the toilet.

Take a leaf from one of the many places around the world where people don’t flush toilet paper (or anything other than organic matter) down the toilet and add a small lined bin to your bathroom for paper disposal. Just be sure to empty it frequently.

You can also cut old towels into pieces that can be washed and reused, or retrofit a bidet seat or other water-based cleaning option. The point is, don’t panic because you still have plenty of options.

What caused the COVID-19 toilet paper shortage?

The early 2020s were truly strange times. Rather than a run on gold we saw a run on toilet paper. This doesn’t make a lot of sense, because toilet paper production continued as normal, and no one’s rate of consumption increased in light of the pandemic.Ìý

So really the reason people were panic-buying toilet paper is just that they’d heard people were panic-buying toilet paper. What did change though is the location we were using toilet paper – we went from using it both at home and at the workplace, to exclusively at home during lockdowns – and the supply chains for commercial versus domestic are very different.ÌýCommercial suppliers actually had a glut, because they had no way to connect to domestic toilet paper retailers.

The good news is, we know what to do now in the advent of another pandemic – grab all the toilet paper you can from work before you’re sent home. And remember, the best thing you can do is only buy what you need so there’s enough to go around, and also be community-minded in the meantime – if you’re well stocked, then share a roll or two with your neighbours if they’re running low.

The post How to unblock your toilet – and what not to put down it appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Pillows
• Sponges

But what about everyday household items that, technically, aren’t perishable? How often should you replace your pillow or mattress? What about your chopping board or toothbrush?

To find out how long some common everyday household items should last, we spoke to a number of retailers and manufacturers in the relevant industries and compared what they had to say with advice from non-industry experts.Ìý

To get the consumer’s perspective, we also asked 487 members of Voice Your Choice, our member research community, how often they replace everyday items from sponges to steam mops.

Pillows

Most of us probably don’t think a lot about what’s inside our pillow, let alone how often we should replace it. According to manufacturer Tontine, your pillow collects dead skin cells, dust mites and fungi as you sleep.Ìý

In 2010, Tontine started stamping their pillows with a two-year replacement date, leading to a 20% increase in sales over the following year. But was this just a clever marketing ploy?

“That guideline is putting it strongly; I’m not going to endorse a two-year period,” says Associate Professor Euan Tovey, an allergen and dust mite expert from the University of Sydney.Ìý

Tovey says most of our exposure to dust mites comes from our clothing, not our bedding. And for the record, he adds it’s the dust mites’ faeces (not the mites themselves) that some people are allergic to.

Hygiene aside, how do you know if your pillow is giving you enough support or if it’s time to cast it aside?

According to the , your pillow may not be supporting your spine and neck if you are waking up with headaches or neck pain. Whether you’re lying on your back or your side, a pillow should place your head and neck in a neutral or midline position.Ìý

When buying a new one it’s important to know that not one size fits all. You should replace your pillow when it stops providing you adequate support.

Therapeutic Pillow Australia, a manufacturer of contour and memory foam pillows, recommends replacing these every 12 months to two years. Pillows that contain memory foam and latex are more durable than other types (polyester, for example), maintaining support for longer without a reduction in comfort. They also hold their structure for longer which means they need to be replaced less often.

When to replace

The manufacturers we spoke to say at least every two years, but our experts tell us it all depends on the type of pillow you have.

Voice Your Choice results

39% of respondents said pillows should be replaced every two to three years.

Mattresses

The longevity of a mattress depends on several factors, including how well it’s made and how much you use it, according to The Better Sleep Council (a ‘consumer-education arm’ of the industry group International Sleep Products Association).

The council says to consider replacing your mattress if you wake up with stiffness, aches and pains, if you had a much better night’s sleep somewhere else, or if your mattress shows visible signs of overuse such as sagging, stains and rips.Ìý

David Hillman from the Sleep Health Foundation says there’s no specific timeframe in which to ditch your mattress. He says they generally have a lifespan of around 10 years, but you should replace yours when it starts to feel uncomfortable. A mattress topper is a good way to add comfort if you’re not ready to invest in a new one.

Studies have shown that changing an ageing mattress can help improve your quality of sleep. You can improve the longevity of your mattress by rotating it once every few months and flipping it over. We spoke to both Sealy Posturepedic and SleepMaker and were told that most of their beds come with a 10-year guarantee. Tempur mattresses come with a five-year full warranty, and 15-year ‘limited’ warranty.

When to replace

About every 10 years.

Voice Your Choice results

47% of respondents said mattresses should be replaced every 10 years.

Steam mops

°¿³Ü°ùÌýsteam mop reviews suggest that, while steam mops are reliable, customers aren’t always satisfied with the performance of their purchases. Could this be because the benefits of steam mops are largely overstated? Some, for example, claim to remove bacteria, dust mites and other allergens.

Allergen expert Euan Tovey says that to some extent these claims are true, as the steam from the mops will likely be hot enough to kill dust mites – but the mites themselves are more likely to be found in carpet than hard flooring.Ìý

Using a steam mop on your carpet can get rid of allergens, but Tovey says it may not necessarily kill mites, as the heat may not penetrate deep enough into the carpet.

Our in-house steam mop specialist, Chris Barnes, says the common problems with steam mops are excessively wet floors, water leakage, poor steam production or the mop ceasing to work altogether. He also notes that when a steam mop breaks down in some way, it tends to fail completely.

When to replace

Most steam mops come with a 12-month warranty and, depending on the price, you can expect a steam mop to last about five years.

Voice Your Choice results

54% of respondents expect a steam mop to last five years without experiencing a major problem or needing a repair, while 23% said they expect a steam mop to last six to 10 years.

Sponges

It probably comes as no surprise: your kitchen sponge is a germ magnet.Ìý

“Sponges are an excellent breeding ground for germs because they’re kept moist and in contact with nutrients. Whether the types of germs are harmful is another question,” says , a Research Fellow in Synthetic Biology who has studied bacteria found in the cloths used to wipe down tables in shopping centres.

The crevices of a sponge also make for an attractive expanse of surface area for bacteria to colonise, he says.

Tips

• Avoid letting your sponge sit in water by wringing it out after each use, and make sure food particles don’t get trapped inside.
• To avoid cross-contamination, never use your kitchen sponge to wipe up meat juices. Use a paper towel instead.

How to clean your sponge

Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture found that over 99% of bacteria, yeasts and moulds were killed after microwaving damp sponges for one minute (but make sure they’re moist before microwaving, or they could catch fire). Aside from this, the simplest and most effective way to care for your sponge between replacements is to kill germs with bleach or really hot water and detergent.

We contacted some well-known cleaning brands to ask when their sponges should be replaced. “Our Stay Clean products should be replaced once they are no longer performing as intended,” said a spokesperson from Scotch-Brite. “This timing can vary depending on what they are being used to clean, how heavily and how often.” A Chux representative agreed with the latter, but recommends replacing cloths when they become discoloured or have an odour.

When to replace

There’s no hard and fast rule – it all comes down to the amount of use.

Voice Your Choice results

66% of respondents replace their sponge at least once a month.

Chopping boards

When it comes to choosing between a plastic or wooden board, our microbiology expert says there’s no real advantage ether way: plastic is less permeable than wood, but wood has natural antibacterial properties.Ìý

We also enquired about an ‘end grain chopping board’ at Myer that claimed to be more durable than regular cutting boards due to a greater tolerance for chopping motions, and were told that, with proper care, the board can last ‘years’.

How to care for your chopping board

We spoke to two retailers, who both recommend that boards should be ‘cleaned thoroughly’ (and seasoned with oil, in the case of wood chopping boards) to maintain the surface.

Chopping boards can be a danger item in the kitchen because of the risk of contamination if you use the same board to cut up low-risk and high-risk foods. The riskiest food is raw chicken. “All chicken you buy has some levels of salmonella; it’s found in their gut,” Coleman says.Ìý

“Be wary of how you handle it in the kitchen,” including cleaning your chopping board immediately after use. The simplest and most effective way to clean your board is with hot water and detergent.

When to replace

When your board is looking worse for wear.

Voice Your Choice results

34% of respondents have been using their current chopping board for more than five years, and 60% used a separate board for different food groups.

Smoke alarms

The date should be visible on the base of your smoke alarm. In between battery changes, smoke alarms should be lightly dusted to keep the vents clear. The WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services recommends you check them every month, replace the batteries every year, and get a new one every 10 years.

We also called and spoke to a customer service representative from Quell, a manufacturer of fire-safety equipment, and were told that all smoke alarms have a 10-year warranty.

When to replace

Every 10 years.

Voice Your Choice results

29% didn’t know when to replace a smoke alarm, but 28% agreed with our experts and said they should be thrown out every 10 years.

Toothbrushes

Brushing is the main way most of us maintain oral hygiene, so it’s important to know when your toothbrush is no longer effectively cleaning your teeth. Over time, the bristles break down and lose their ability to get at all those tricky areas inside your mouth.

The Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Committee recommends replacing toothbrushes when the bristles are worn or distorted, normally every couple of months. It’s better to use a soft bristled brush, and if it’s wearing out quickly (i.e. within a month or so) you might need to evaluate your brushing technique.

Toothbrush brands Sensodyne, Colgate, and Oral B recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months. Many toothbrushes have bristles that change colour when it’s time to throw them out.Ìý

Some people advise throwing out your toothbrush after you’ve had a cold or flu virus, since germs could linger in the bristles. But according to the Oral Health Committee, that theory is not based on evidence.

When to replace

Every two to three months.

Voice Your Choice results

50% of respondents thought a toothbrush should be replaced every two to three months.

The post How long to keep your everyday items appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Our expert testers
• How we choose which toilet paper we test
• How does ÌÇÐÄVlog test toilet paper?
• Test criteria explained

You need to decide what ply you want, if you want a scented roll or ‘quilted’, and then work your way around all the labelling claims on the pack.

Ultimately, we all want our toilet paper to be soft and strong, tear easily at the perforation and disintegrate quickly once we’ve flushed it down the toilet.

Here we’ll tell you what goes on behind the scenes when we test toilet paper, to get the results that help you buy the best.

Our expert testers

We buy toilet paper available from the major supermarket retailers and send it to an external laboratory for testing.

In-house, we work out the value for money of each product by determining how much it costs per 100 sheets.

We also take a closer look at the labelling claims to find out what they all mean.

How we choose which toilet paper we test

As with most of our product testing, our aim is to test the most popular brands on the market and what you’re most likely to see in stores.

In the case of toilet paper, our aim is to cover as much of the market as possible. Our buyers purchase all the toilet paper products they can find in the major Australian supermarkets like Coles, Woolworths and Aldi, plus a few subscription products.

How does ÌÇÐÄVlog test toilet paper?

Perforation

We measure the ease of separating the toilet tissue at the perforation. The easier it is for the toilet paper to tear, the better.

Puncture

We measure the strength of the toilet paper by testing its resistance to puncturing. In this test a higher force is the most desirable result, meaning your finger is less likely to go through the paper.

Disintegration time

We time how quickly the toilet paper disintegrates. The faster the better – you want your toilet paper to break up quickly as it moves through sewage, making it less likely to block pipes.

The quickest product takes just over a minute to disintegrate while some products took just over 16 minutes to disintegrate.

Softness

In this test we measure how soft the toilet paper is. This is a subjective assessment conducted by a panel of five people. We then convert their rank order into a percentage score.

Test criteria explained

The ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating, the overall score that determines which products we recommend, is made up of:

• disintegration time (30%)
• softness (30%)
• separation (tear) force (20%)
• puncture (strength) force (20%).

Weighings are listed in brackets.

The post How we test toilet paper appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Repair or replace?
• 1. A leaking fridge
• 2. A flooding dishwasher
• 3. A stick vacuum cleaner that won't suck
• 4. A shaky or wobbly washing machine
• 5. Gas hobs that 'click' but won't light

When things go wrong with everyday household appliances, it’s easier if you can take matters into your own hands and fix it yourself. But sometimes, you’ll need to contact the manufacturer or call in a pro.Ìý

Stop! Is your appliance still under warranty?

Before you pick up the tools, check to see if your appliance is still under warranty or broken within a period that means you’re owed a fix under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). In these cases, the manufacturer is probably responsible for making any necessary repairs or giving you another fix, such as a refund or replacement.Ìý

If you do decide to have a tinker yourself, be cautious. Some manufacturers claim that any work done on your appliances by an ‘unauthorised repairer’ may mean you void your warranty. (At ÌÇÐÄVlog, we think this kind of restriction is unfair and we’re fighting to ban the practice).Ìý

In any case, under the ACL, you’re entitled to a refund, repair or replacement if a product develops a fault during a ‘reasonable amount of time after purchase’. All too often, businesses suggest that the ‘reasonable’ time period is the 12–24 month warranty period, but often it’s much longer.Ìý

We have a guide on the reasonable life expectancy for most appliances to help you work out if you should ask for a fix under the ACL.

Repair or replace?

If your appliance is broken and lasted longer than the warranty, or what you’re covered for under consumer law, it may be cheaper to replace rather than fix – although some people are willing to pay a bit more for repair if it means they can save the appliance from landfill.Ìý

It pays to look for local repair options, such as  (if the item is portable), which may be able to help you repair broken items yourself or fix problems for you. Of course, unless you can repair it, recycle it or return it to the manufacturer, landfill is the likeliest destination.

Not built to last

In an ideal world, we would have affordable products that last, with a repair process (with manufacturers or independent repairers) that is simple and fair. It would mean better quality products in our homes with a lower environmental impact.

Read more about what ÌÇÐÄVlog is doing about the ‘right to repair’ issue.

Common appliance issues you can troubleshoot yourself

The good news is that your issue may be something you can easily fix yourself. If you have a problem that’s not listed here, try searching online for advice, check troubleshooting guides on the ÌÇÐÄVlog website or in your owner’s manual, or use the manufacturer’s customer support services to see if other customers have had similar issues.

1. A leaking fridge

A budget to mid-range fridge should last at least six to nine years before you’d even consider replacing it instead of repairing it, but things can go wrong.Ìý

Spy a puddle of water under your fridge door? Check the back of the fridge to see if the defrost water tray is in the right position and that the drainage tube that leads to it is actually pointing at the drip tray.Ìý

How do you know where to find this? 

“Pull the fridge out and turn it around,”  ÌÇÐÄVlog appliance expert Ashley IredaleÌý²¹»å±¹¾±²õ±ð²õ.

“For many fridges there will be an opening at the bottom where you can see the compressor and various pipes and bits and pieces, and that’s where you’ll find it.Ìý

“Some fridges have a completely solid, sealed back – if that’s the case, then break out the screwdrivers to remove the panel. If the back’s not removable, then you may well be out of luck.”

Water leaking inside the fridge

If water is leaking inside the fridge, it could mean there’s a blocked drain or outlet (or maybe you just have old leaky food in there).Ìý

There are drainage channels in some fridge cabinets, so check to see if there is a blockage of food or dirt and clear it. If drainage channels aren’t blocked, the leak could be from condensation, so check the door is closing properly, isn’t left open for too long, and that the seals are working well (they may need to be replaced). This can also happen during spells of high humidity.

Ashley says: “Replacing a door seal is a relatively simple operation, provided a replacement seal is available. Or failing that, you can bodge up a repair with silicone and baking paper.”

Here’s a list of other common fridge problems and how to fix them.Ìý

2. A flooding dishwasher

If there is water pooling in the bottom of your dishwasher after a wash, or on the floor outside the dishwasher, there are a few things that could be causing the problem.

Blockages and kinks

The filter and pump may be blocked with food debris, which means you just need to give it a good clean. You should also check the drainage hose for blockages, damage or kinks (over time, these can also become loose). If the drain hose is leaking or damaged, remove it and install a replacement hose.Ìý

“How complicated this job will be depends on how the drainage hose is attached, says Ashley.”It’s certainly worth attempting, and if it’s a simple screw fit or hose clamp, then it should be relatively simple. If it’s moulded into the inside of the machine, however, then you might need a professional.”

Not draining properly

Another reason could be that your dishwashing cycle was interrupted, so it didn’t drain properly. Try doing a restart (the old on-again, off-again trick works for appliances as well as computers!), or take a look at our instructions on how to drain a dishwasher. Here’s a list of other common issues with dishwashers and how to fix them.

How long should a dishwasher last?

You should expect your dishwasher to last about nine years, although some repairs and maintenance are to be expected within that time. If you have an issue you can’t fix yourself and it’s out of warranty, you may need to call a plumber or service technician to see if the issue is worth fixing – or if it’s time to get a new dishwasher.

3. A stick vacuum cleaner that won’t suck

When we ask Aussie consumers what their major problems with stick vacuums are, one in four (25.4%) say short battery life and one in 10 (10.8%) say not picking up dirt.Ìý

The good news is that there are a few fixes you can do yourself, which means you may be able to avoid getting a new one.Ìý

If you’re charging your stick vacuum for the recommended amount of time and it’s cutting out or not performing well, it may be a problem with the battery. Alternatively, you may just need to clean or replace the filter (or there may be something obstructing it).Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog small appliance expert Chris Barnes says: “If you’re having issues with your stick vacuum, first check the hose/wand for blockages, including the inlet on the cleaning head and where the dust enters the bag/bin. Ensure you also keep the filters clean.”

Cleaning the filter

Dyson also suggests you clean your filter once a month to maintain efficiency of your stick vacuum (remove it, shake to remove any dust or debris, wash out with warm water and leave to dry before replacing). Check your manual or the manufacturer’s website for cleaning instructions specific to your model, or read our expert guide on how to clean your vacuum.Ìý

Replacing batteries

Batteries usually last three to four years and most models (apart from the cheapest ones) let you replace the batteries easily, usually just with a simple click and release. Unfortunately, the cost of replacing batteries, which could be about $100, means it may not be economical if your stick vac is on the cheap side.Ìý

4. A shaky or wobbly washing machine

All washing machines will usually vibrate a little during the cycle. But if your washer starts acting like it’s a bucking rodeo horse or causes damage to your floors, it needs attention.

Check the balance

First, ensure it’s level and not off-balance. Front loaders are more prone to vibration than top loaders. But most manufacturers agree that standing a front loader on a timber floor shouldn’t cause damage to the floor (due to the vibrations), as long as your floor is level and in good condition and your washing machine’s feet are adjusted properly, in good condition and stabilised.

Bad vibrations?

To stop excessive vibration, make sure you’re loading your washing machine evenly, alternating between small and large items, and don’t overload it (don’t wrap clothes around the agitator in a top loader). Don’t wash bed sheets and towels on their own – include smaller items in your load as well.Ìý

Another cause could be that your suspension springs or shock absorbers may be damaged and/or need to be replaced. But our experts suggest this is a job probably best left to a professional.

5. Gas hobs that ‘click’ but won’t light

If your gas hobs won’t ignite but the ignition switch is working (you’ll know because you can hear the ‘clicking’ sound), first check your gas supply.Ìý

If that all looks OK, your ignition/burner ports or nozzles may be out of alignment or clogged with food or debris, which is limiting the gas flow.Ìý

Turn off the gas, make sure the burners aren’t hot, then remove and clean the surface burners and ports according to the instructions in your manual (a toothbrush or a toothpick may be handy) and make sure they’re fully dry. Reinstall the burner, cover and grill.Ìý

If that doesn’t work, it may be a problem with your igniter or the ignition switch. Unless you’re a very confident DIYer, we’d strongly advise calling a professional for this.Ìý

The post 5 easy appliance fixes you can do yourself appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Are cheap tissues worth buying?
• The best performing tissues from our test
• The softest tissues in our test
• Tissues to avoid
• Why you shouldn't flush tissues down the toilet
• How we score tissues

But seriously, if you buy a dud box of 200 tissues that are scratchy or fall apart at inopportune moments, that’s a lot to slog through to get to the end of the box.Ìý

If you have a cold or allergies, terrible tissues can leave you with a nose that’s scratched red raw, or having to double up so they don’t disintegrate.Ìý

And if you’re going through a bad breakup you don’t need bad tissues to give you something extra to cry about! 

Our experts tested 35 different tissue products, assessing their strength, softness and absorbency, to help you buy the best tissues for your issues, whatever they may be.Ìý

Are cheap tissues worth buying?

It’s pretty tempting to cheap out on tissues: they’re something you generally use once and then chuck in the bin, so it can seem like a waste to spend a lot on them.Ìý

Unfortunately, the cheapest products we tested were also among the worst performing, so in this case at least it’s probably worth spending a little extra to make sure your tissues do what they’re supposed to. (After all, if they fail at their main purpose – holding your boogers – things could get very messy indeed.)

If you’re looking for the best value for money, Woolworths’ Azure Hypoallergenic Pocket Tissues hit the sweet spot between price and performance. They easily outperform other products at the same price point, and they’re one of the highest scorers in our test, so they’re a great buy.

The best performing tissues from our test

In our test of 35 tissue products, our experts found only five worthy of recommendation – and coincidentally, all but one are 6-packs of tissues for on the go.Ìý

However, some of them are also among the most expensive we tested – two of the top scorers cost more than $6 per 100 tissues, which is a lot for something that’s going to end up in the bin!

Kleenex Everyday Softness on the Go Pocket Pack 4 ply

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 80% 
• Price: $3.30 ($6.11 per 100 tissues)

Sorbent Silky White Soft and Strong 4 ply 

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 77% 
• Price: $2.00 ($3.33 per 100 tissues)

Woolworths Azure Hypoallergenic Pocket Tissues 

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 72%
• Price: $1.40 ($2.59 per 100 tissues)

Kleenex Soothe Aloe Vera & Vitamin E Pocket Pack 4 ply

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 71%
• Price: $3.50 ($6.48 per 100 tissues)

Quilton Extra Thick Hypo-allergenic 3 Ply Soft

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 70%
• Price: $3.80 ($3.45 per 100 tissues)

The softest tissues in our test

If you’re battling a cold or allergies, you probably know all too well how important soft tissues are to your comfort – after blowing your nose approximately every two minutes for a week, even the softest tissue can feel like sandpaper.Ìý

If your primary objective in buying tissues is to find the softest, here they are:

• Kleenex Allergy Comfort 3-ply (Softness score: 90%)
• Kleenex Large & Thick Aloe Vera & Vitamin E 3 ply (87%)
• Sorbent Silky White Soft and Strong (84%)
• Quilton Cooling Lotion Vitamin D 3 ply Soft (84%)
• Kleenex Wellbeing Eucalyptus 3 ply (84%)
• Kleenex Wellbeing Aloe Vera & Vitamin E 3 ply (81%)

Unfortunately, what you gain in softness you may lose in performance: none of these scored especially well for their ability to withstand a puncture, and most weren’t particularly absorbent or strong when wet, so do bear that in mind when using them.Ìý

Tissues to avoid

Receiving the lowest scores overall, these tissues didn’t blow our experts away.Ìý

Coles Facial Tissues Fragrance-Free

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 51%
• Price: $1.30 ($0.58 per 100 tissues)

Symphony 2 ply 228 White Facial Tissues Value 3 Pack

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 52%
• Price: $4.00 ($0.58 per 100 tissues)

Oobamboo Premium Bamboo Tissues 3 ply

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 53%
• Price: $26.00 for 12 boxes ($2.17 per 100 tissues)

iCare Naturally Soft Facial Tissues

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 53%
• Price: $2.25 ($1.13 per 100 tissues)

Why you shouldn’t flush tissues down the toilet

Toilet paper is designed to break down quickly in toilet systems. But since tissues are designed to hold their shape when wet, they take much longer to disintegrate – more than 20 minutes in most cases.Ìý

This means that they can cause blockages, either in your system or the water utility system. And when they combine with fats, oils and grease that end up in the system via kitchen drains, they can create ‘fatbergs’, which cause big problems and can damage pipes.Ìý

According to Sydney Water, the only things that should be flushed are the three Ps: pee, poo and (toilet) paper.Ìý

How we score tissues

A good tissue needs to be four things:

1. Soft (so it doesn’t irritate your skin)
2. Absorbent (so it can soak up whatever you put into it)
3. Puncture-proof (so your fingers don’t break through)
4. Strong when wet (so it can keep its contents contained, and in case you need to use it again)

When we assess tissues in our labs, we test all four of these aspects and score each tissue so we can tell you which are the best on the market.Ìý

Our experts recommend tissues that score at least 70% overall, with no score below 55%.

The post The best and worst tissues from our tests appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Our expert testers
• How we choose which tissues to test
• How ÌÇÐÄVlog tests tissues
• Test criteria explained

Our expert testers

We buy tissues available from major supermarket retailers and send them to a laboratory for testing.

We work out the value of each product by determining how much it costs per 100 tissues. We also take a closer look at the labelling claims, such as recycled and chlorine-free, to find out what they mean.

How we choose which tissues to test

With most of our product testing, we aim to choose the most popular models on the market as well as what you’re most likely to see in retail shops. In the case of tissues, our aim is to cover as much of the market as possible. Our buyers purchase all the tissue products they can find in major supermarkets.

How ÌÇÐÄVlog tests tissues

Softness

We measure how soft the tissue is. This is a subjective assessment conducted by a panel of four people.

Puncture force

We measure the strength of the tissue by testing its resistance to puncturing. In this test a higher force is the most desirable result, meaning your finger is less likely to go through the tissue.

Wet tear strength

We test how much force is required to tear the tissue when it’s wet, as it would be after using it to blow your nose multiple times.

Absorption

We measure how much fluid the tissue can absorb.

Test criteria explained

The ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating (or overall score) is made up of:

• softness (40%)
• puncture (strength) force (30%)
• absorption (20%)
• wet tear strength (10%).

The post How we test tissues appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• How we choose what we test
• How we test first aid kits
• Scoring

How we choose what we test

We specifically test first aid kits designed for home use, which includes products advertised as suitable for home use even if the product name says otherwise (e.g. workplace). The medical supplies included in these kits will differ from those aimed at more specific activities or environments such as marine, travel or hiking.

We select products from well known brands such as St John Ambulance Australia and the Red Cross, and kits you can find at prominent retailers including supermarkets, chemists and outdoor supply stores, as well as major online stores.

How we test first aid kits

Essential contents

We look through the contents of each kit to see which essential items are included. Our list of essential items is sourced from the ‘Portable first aid kits for use by consumers’ standard (AS 2675). Though the standard has lapsed and is no longer enforced, its inventory list is still a relevant guide for our test. Similar guides provided by , the Red Cross and also assisted when we developed the test method.

Most kits include one or more additional items that may be useful but non-essential for a home kit, and these don’t contribute to the essential contents score.

Performance

A panel of first aid experts conducts a practical assessment of the kit to check whether the contents (including extra items) can treat common injuries. Our experts include two ÌÇÐÄVlog first aid officers and a nurse manager and educator with an extensive clinical background in emergency and ICU.

The common injuries are:

• bone fractures
• serious lacerations
• penetrating wounds
• serious abrasions
• serious burns
• animal bites/stings
• soft tissue injuries
• eye injuries
• poisoning
• hypothermia.

The testers also assess the layout and accessibility of the contents, and whether an untrained/inexperienced person would be able to use each kit effectively.

Ease of use

Our testers carry out a general assessment of the kit, layout and build quality based on:

• ease of opening and closing
• ease of accessing items
• ease of repacking items
• whether any instructions or guides are included
• whether the kit makes any water resistance/waterproofing claims or is designed as such.

Scoring

The ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating is based on the following criteria:

• essential contents (50%)
• performance (30%)
• ease of use (20%).

The post How we test first aid kits appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.