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An excerpt from The DailyMail.co.uk -

Toilet paper over or under? Scientist FINALLY settles the debate - so, do you agree with their method?

By JONATHAN CHADWICK

Over Method

Under Method

Should toilet paper be hung in front of (over) or behind (under) the roll when it is placed parallel to the wall? A scientist has given the definitive answer

Dr. Primrose Freestone, professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, says the 'under' orientation is actually safer and more effective (file photo)

Imagine you are on the toilet doing your business, and the toilet roll is in the 'over' position (with the next square facing you).

In this scenario, you need to use one hand to hold the toilet roll to stop it from rotating forward, and the other hand to actually tear off the next bit of paper.

In contrast, in the 'under' position, you can pin the next sheet against the wall with one hand as you simultaneously tear it off, according to the academic.

So you don't have to use the second hand in the process at all – and the overall risk of transferring hand bacteria to the paper is reduced.

Especially for women, accidental transfer of bacteria from the hand to the genital area can increase the risk of infection.

And women generally tend to use more paper for men – for number ones and number twos.

'For the under position, there is less likely to be whole roll contamination,' Professor Freestone told MailOnline.

'You can pin the sheets against the toilet wall without having to touch the exterior of the roll.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14801757/Toilet-paper-scientist-settles-debate.html