A microbiologist debunks the consensus on how toilet paper should be placed.

One of the most common trivial debates is whether toilet paper should be placed in the bathroom: with the cut facing forward or with the cut facing back.

Some time ago, the definitive answer became popular: the inventors of toilet paper, 150 years ago, specified that the correct solution was with the cut facing forward : this was reflected in the patent drawings.

But now, a microbiologist is challenging this consensus. Dr. Primrose Freestone , professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester (UK), says rear-facing is actually safer and more effective.

"There's more handling of the toilet paper roll from the top position," Freestone says, increasing the risk of the paper becoming contaminated before it reaches our private parts.

Freeman says that with forward cutting, you should use one hand to hold the toilet paper roll and prevent it from turning, and the other hand to tear off the next piece of paper.

Instead, with the cut facing backward, you can hold the next sheet against the wall with one hand while simultaneously tearing it off, according to the academic.

This way, there's no need to use a second hand in the process, and the overall risk of transferring bacteria from your hands to the tissue is reduced. Especially in women, accidentally transferring bacteria from the hands to the genital area can increase the risk of infection. And women generally tend to use more tissue than men.

"In the lower position there is less chance of contamination of the entire roll ," said Professor Freestone.

According to Professor Freestone, following her advice is even more important in public restrooms, where there can be multiple sites of heavy fecal contamination throughout the toilet door, stall, and seat.

"This is why it's so important to wash your hands after using the bathroom , and also not eat, drink, or use your phone in the bathroom," he concludes.