Toilet paper has become an essential household product used by billions of people worldwide every day. Most of us use generic white toilet paper made from virgin pulp or recycled paper without giving much thought to how it’s made or where it comes from. However, there is a fascinating world of exotic, rare, and luxurious toilet papers that the ultra-wealthy have access to. These prestigious rolls give new meaning to “going green” and provide a peek into the eccentricities of the rich and famous.
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Origins of Toilet Paper
Before diving into the rarest and most exclusive toilet papers today, it’s helpful to understand the origins of this common bathroom necessity. Toilet paper took a winding path to gain mainstream acceptance and become the household staple it is today.
The first recorded use of toilet paper dates back to 6th century AD China during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Chinese emperors and other aristocrats used perfumed toilet paper made of hemp fibers. As paper making spread across Asia to the Middle East and Europe over the following centuries, various cultures adopted the idea of using paper to clean oneself.
In the American colonies in the 1700s, toilet paper as we know it today was unheard of. Early Americans resorted to using things like leaves, mussel shells, corn cobs, newspaper, or their hands. It wasn’t until 1857 that Joseph Gayetty invented the first commercially available toilet paper in the United States. His “Medicated Paper” was sold in packages of flat sheets and marketed as a medical product that would be gentler on skin than other materials.
Toilet paper slowly gained acceptance over the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but it was still seen as a luxury item. The Scott Paper Company first began selling toilet paper on rolls in 1890 and in the 1930s, became the first company to market toilet paper for use in the household bathroom. After World War II, manufacturing innovations and societal changes made toilet paper ubiquitous in American homes by the 1950s.
Rarest Toilet Papers
Now that toilet paper is commonplace, some companies are trying to make it exotic again. Here are some of the rarest and most expensive toilet papers in the world today:
Toilet Paper Covered in Gold
The most expensive toilet paper sold today is infused with delicate gold flakes. Each roll contains approximately 0.2 grams of 24-karat gold, adding up to about $100 of gold per roll. The gold flakes add a gilded sparkle to the soft, white paper without compromising comfort. Major luxury brands like Charmin and Cottonelle have released limited edition gold toilet paper, which is gifted in Hollywood awards show swag bags or occasionally spotted in five-star hotels. For the ultimate lavishness, there is even a gold-infused double ply option.
Toilet Paper Infused with Aloe and Vitamin E
For soothing comfort, aloe-infused toilet paper provides a touch of luxury. The aloe vera gel in the paper moisturizes and nourishes skin, while helping prevent irritation from chafing. Luxury toilet paper companies like Elite and Aria incorporate aloe extracts directly into the paper pulp for gentle cleansing. The soothing aloe toilet papers may also contain antioxidants like vitamin E to further care for delicate skin.
100% Bamboo Toilet Paper
For eco-conscious luxury, bamboo toilet paper offers sustainability along with softness. Bamboo grows rapidly without pesticides and much less water than regular trees. Bamboo toilet paper brands like Caboo, No. 2, and Bambo Nature create pulp from renewable bamboo stalks instead of trees. The bamboo paper has a creamy, smooth texture and tends to be thicker yet quickly biodegradable. Major retailers have also released bamboo toilet papers under eco-friendly brand lines.
Toilet Paper Made with Hemp or other Cannabis
Bringing things full circle, some modern luxury toilet paper manufacturers are going back to one of the original materials- hemp. Sustainably-grown hemp makes a durable yet soft fiber for manufacturing toilet paper. Dr. Bronner’s is one of the major brands using hemp plants in their toilet paper and other body products. Additional cannabis-derived ingredients like CBD oil are also incorporporated by boutique brands for their proposed soothing properties.
Toilet Paper with Perfume or Essential Oils
Perfume toilet paper adds a literal splash of luxury. Scents like gentle lavender, uplifting citrus, or floral roses can transform a mundane bathroom necessity into a pampering ritual. Scented toilet papers from top luxury brands will incorporate perfumes and essential oils throughout the paper’s pulp. Fragrances tend to be on the delicate side rather than overpowering. For the ultimate indulgence, luxury bidets may mist scented waters during use for a cleansing aromatherapy treatment.
Multicolored or Patterned Toilet Paper
Finally, the ultra-wealthy can opt for more whimsical toilet papers featuring colors, patterns, and designs. While plain white toilet paper is functionally sensible, luxury brands offer more adventurous prints. Colors range from subtle black or gray rolls to vivid red, blue, and green hues. Patterns may include floral motifs, dynamic zigzags, or minimalist graphic prints. The options are endless for making even a toilet paper roll into an artful display. These multicolored toilet papers are produced in limited runs by major manufacturers or crafted in small batches by boutique studios.
Rarest Toilet Paper Brands
Along with exotic materials and embellishments, these luxury toilet paper brands cater to the tastes of the rich and famous:
| Brand | Notable Features |
|---|---|
| Quilted Northern | Buttery soft, triple-ply toilet paper |
| Charmin Ultra Soft | Cushy and durable double-ply paper |
| Who Gives a Crap | Eco-friendly; 50% of profits go to charity |
| Tushy | Bamboo fiber paper; partners with World Central Kitchen |
| No. 2 | Luxurious bamboo paper; sleek, minimalist design |
| Ten Thousand Paper | Small-batch supplier for Hollywood awards shows |
Luxury Hotel Branded Toilet Paper
For the ultimate in opulence, luxury hotels will brand and customize their in-room toilet paper. Top hotels like the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, The Plaza in New York, and the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas all have their own branded toilet paper. The rolls may come wrapped in paper featuring the hotel’s colors and logo. Custom printing the toilet paper helps five-star hotels provide a seamless luxury experience.
Most Expensive Toilet Papers
While most luxury toilet paper falls in the range of $20-$40 per roll, some ultra-prestigious limited editions and novelty rolls sell for hundreds or even thousands:
- In 2005, Original Toilet Paper sold three limited edition rolls featuring ad space for $1.2 million each
- In 2019, toilet paper with Donald Trump’s tweets printed on it sold for $11.50 a roll as a novelty item
- Singapore company Heartland Bespoke charges up to $20,000 to print customMessages on a 24-karat gold roll of toilet paper
- Artist Maurizio Cattelan duct-taped a banana to an art gallery wall in 2019 and sold it for $120,000 before it was eaten by a performance artist
While these examples were more PR stunts than real commodities, they demonstrate just how much some people are willing to spend when it comes to sprucing up their bathroom experience.
Rarest Toilet Paper Buyers
These specialty toilet papers appeal to an exclusive ultra-wealthy clientele including:
- Royals and aristocrats like the British Royal Family
- Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston
- Athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo and Serena Williams
- Corporate executives and billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates
- Luxury hotels and resorts like Dubai’s Burj Al Arab and Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas
The average person likely does not have access to these rare, bespoke toilet papers on a daily basis. But the ultra-rich can afford these luxurious bathroom accessories as part of their lavish lifestyles.
Conclusion
While most of us are happy with generic mass-market toilet paper, there is a fascinating world of luxury toilet papers that cater to the tastes of the rich and famous. Infused with gold, aloe, hemp, or perfume and printed with custom designs, these exotic rolls provide pampering and flair. Eco-friendly bamboo paper offers sustainability, while hotel branded rolls provide seamless indulgence. With rolls selling for as much as tens of thousands of dollars, these rare toilet papers fulfill the most eccentric desires of the ultra-wealthy. Next time you reach for a roll of toilet paper, just imagine what the experience could be like if money were no object!
