Consumer watchdog Choice has crowned Quilton's 4 Ply Softness Gold as Australia's best toilet paper after testing 42 varieties, but the top performer is also the priciest, costing $0.69 per 100 sheets. The brand also secured second place with its Shea Butter in Gold 4 Ply, which scored 77%.
The test evaluated softness, sheet separation, durability, and disintegration time. A panel of five judges assessed softness through tactile judgment. The second-best overall, Woolworths' Vevelle Luxury Soft Double Length, scored 77% at less than half the price: $0.29 per 100 sheets.
Eco-friendly options generally scored lower on softness, according to Choice project manager Chris Barnes, due to the challenge of refining recycled paper. However, Naturale 100% Recycled 3 Ply scored 80% for softness with an overall 75%, while Yarn'n 100% Recycled Deadly Dunny Paper scored 70% softness and 74% overall. Both were priced at $0.28 and $0.43 per 100 sheets respectively.
Profit-for-purpose company Who Gives A Crap's products ranked lowest among eco-friendly options. Its 100% Recycled Classic Soft Double Length scored 71% overall, while its Bamboo Extra Soft Double Length scored 68%, with softness scores of 70% and 55% respectively.
Disintegration performance was a key factor, with poor scores dragging down overall results. Kleenex Complete Clean and its double length version scored just 5% for disintegration, taking five-and-a-half minutes to break apart, leading to an overall 53%. Kimberly-Clark, Kleenex's manufacturer, defended its products, citing rigorous testing.
Barnes noted that high ply counts don't guarantee quality, though brands use them as selling points. For instance, Vevelle White Toilet Tissue 2 Ply scored 77% at $0.19 per 100 sheets, outperforming Sorbent's 4 Ply Thick & Soft, which scored 75% at $0.59 per 100 sheets.
