If you’ve seen that tip floating around in l’Article or on social media, it’s not (usually) about bathroom emergencies in the kitchen 😄 There are a few common reasons people claim to keep a roll of toilet paper in the fridge:
1. Odor absorption (the main reason)
Toilet paper is very porous, so some people believe it helps absorb moisture and odors in the fridge—similar idea to baking soda.
However:
- It’s much less effective than baking soda or activated charcoal.
- It saturates quickly and needs frequent replacing.
- There’s limited scientific evidence that it works well.
2. Humidity control
Because it absorbs moisture, some think it can help reduce excess humidity, which might:
- Reduce smells
- Slightly slow mold growth
Again, it’s a very mild effect at best.
3. Viral life hacks
This trend mostly became popular through TikTok and online “home hacks.” It looks clever and costs almost nothing, which helps it spread—even if the benefit is minimal.
Does it actually work?
Not really in any meaningful way. If your fridge smells:
- Clean it with vinegar or baking soda.
- Keep an open box of baking soda inside.
- Store strong-smelling foods in airtight containers.
- Check for expired items.
A roll of toilet paper won’t hurt anything, but it’s not a miracle solution either.
If you’d like, I can also explain where this trend started.