Toilet Paper Review: Charmin Extra Strong with Flexweave Bathroom Tissue

The Vitals:
Charmin Extra Strong with Flexweave Bathroom Tissue
Price ranges from around $4.99 to around $6.99 for 12 double rolls (equal to 24 regular rolls)
Available at most grocery stores


The Sorty:
Who the hell writes reviews on toilet paper?

It turns out I do.

We all use the stuff, and the quality of this particular type of product can either make our day or piss us off.......ooooh I made a pun.

And this particular product's contribution to the world of the toilet is so significant, in my opinion, that it very much deserves a slot in my review empire.

Now I will only be reviewing Charmin Extra Strong with Flexweave, and no other variation, since that is the one brand that I have used and currently use.

In my mind, there are three types of bathroom tissue: (1) The type that is extremely soft and breaks apart into tiny little dust particles at even the mention of moisture; (2) The type that is strong and holds together very well but feels like you are using newspaper to clean yourself; and (3) The type that is neither strong nor weak, and neither soft nor harsh...a mediocre compromise between the two, and not very satisfying either way.

This is how I have categorized bathroom tissue, up until I met Charmin Extra Strong with Flexweave.

I picked up a pack of 12 double rolls for something like $5.50, which is a decent price for 24 regular rolls, about 3 weeks ago. This was a totally random choice, since, to me, bathroom tissue were all mediocre compromises of one thing of another. I had no bathroom tissue loyalties.

Three weeks later, this is my analysis:

The Charmin commercials are true, you really do need to use less... a lot less. Previous experiences with bathroom tissue have taught me to use at least 5-6 squares at a time, whether cleaning my nose or otherwise. If Im going to using the tissue to dry a counter top (I'm sometimes too lazy to look for a proper towel), I would use over 10 squares to compensate for the fact that the paper will turn to complete mush. But not Charmin Extra Strong with Flexweave!

Two squares per application. I'm not kidding. Even today, after using this product for three weeks, I have not become accustomed to how little I need to use. When Im pulling off a square or two to clean my nose or otherwise, my brain is screaming "DUDE!! What the hell are you doing?? Grab some more!!! Why I oughta...."

....yes, I have issues.

Anyways, so it takes some getting used to, but all you need is two squares at a time for almost any application. Even when Im drying a wet counter top, I only use 4 or 5 squares now. It is really amazing.

If we calculate the number of uses per dollar comparison between the usual brands and this product, you will see that it is far superior value to all other brands.

For example: We have two rolls with 100 squares on each. Brand A is $4.00 and Charmin is $6.00. Let's assume that we are using the rolls for the exact same application each time. With Brand A, we use 5 squares per application (my average), and with Charmin we use 2 squares. This means that we get 20 uses out of Brand A, and 50 uses out of Charmin. That equals $0.20 per use with Brand A, and $0.12 per use with Charmin.

Just because the overall price is a little higher (and I even inflated the difference between prices), this does not mean that the product is "more expensive". Charmin is clearly better value, if used correctly.

And it is very soft too. Sure, not as soft as some of those Kleenex boxes with lotions, but for something this strong, it is very impressively soft.

There are two drawbacks that accompany such strength and softness: First, the tissue is a tiny bit thicker than normal bathroom tissue, so cleaning your nose might be a little harder (you know, when "mining for gold"). And second, the tissue does not break down quickly, which is great when used in small quantities, but if you ignore the procedure and insist on using lots of tissue, then you will likely plug your toilet...as I did.

But if you use the product as it was meant to be used, in small amounts that more than fulfill their purpose, then everything will be fantasmic...galactic, even.

So, in the end - so far at least - I am very impressed with this product. I have never been impressed with bathroom tissue before, so this is an impressive impression.

I strongly suggest buying Charmin Extra Strong with Flexweave the next time you buy bathroom tissue, and see how only two squares do it all.


The Score:
Strength: 10/10
Softness: 9/10
Nose Cleaning Comfort: 7.5/10
Toilet Piping Friendliness: 7.5/10
Value: 9/10

Overall Score: 86/100

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- Consumer #1337