Roll back to a 1960s bathroom and you would likely find the toilet paper matching the tile: pink, powder blue, even black. Color-coordinated rooms were the whole point, and the paper was expected to play along.
Today the aisle is a wall of white. Here is what happened to the colored rolls, why they disappeared, whether the dyes were ever safe, and where you can still buy a black or red roll if you want one.
Key Takeaways
- Colored toilet paper was widely sold in the US from the 1960s so buyers could match the roll to their bathroom decor.
- Brands dropped colored toilet paper starting in the mid-1980s over dye health concerns, environmental impact, neutral bathroom trends, and higher cost.
- Scott was one of the last US brands to sell colored toilet paper, ending in 2004, though pastel shades still sell in parts of Europe.
- Renova, made in Portugal, launched black toilet paper worldwide in 2005 and still sells premium colored tissue online.
A Brief History of Colored Toilet Paper
While China’s royal court used early forms of toilet paper as far back as the 6th century AD, colored rolls are a much newer idea. By the 1960s, colored toilet paper was a standard sight on US shelves, sold in shades like pink, lavender, light blue, green, purple, and light yellow so shoppers could match the paper to their bathroom.
The post-war years were all about home pride and coordinated rooms. People wanted more than a functional bathroom; they wanted the tile, the fixtures, and even the paper to agree. That demand pushed colored tissue into millions of homes.
Through the 50s, 60s, and 70s you could find toilet tissue in almost any shade, from black and gold to the ever-popular pink. Matching your roll to your suite was simply part of decorating.
Why Did They Stop Making Colored Toilet Paper?
If colored paper was so popular, why did it vanish? Several forces worked against these colorful rolls at the same time.
Changing Interior Design Trends
Tastes shifted. The bold avocado and pink bathroom suites of the past gave way to clean, neutral designs through the 1980s. As bathrooms turned brighter and whiter, matching blue or pink paper no longer had a place.
Health and Safety Concerns
Doctors and health experts began raising flags about the dyes. Regulation was loose in the early days, and some dyes irritated skin, which turned buyers away. There is more on the safety question further down.
Production Costs
Dyeing paper adds a step and a cost. As demand fell, companies found it hard to justify running colored lines alongside standard white rolls, so the colored ranges were usually the first to go.
When Did Colored Toilet Paper Disappear?
The decline started in earnest in the mid-1980s. Most brands pulled their colored inventory that decade, but Scott held on longer, selling colored rolls in beige, blue, and pink in the US until 2004 before cutting them entirely.
Europe kept the look alive. Colored toilet paper is still commonly sold in parts of Europe today, where soft pastels like pink, apricot, and light blue lead the shelves.
Is It Safe to Use Colored Toilet Paper?
The safety worry that helped end the trend was real for its time. Early dye regulation was thin, and harsh dyes could cause contact dermatitis, rectal irritation, and even urinary tract infections in a sensitive area. Because color additives carry these risks, the US Food and Drug Administration keeps an extensive set of rules governing which ones can be used and how.
Modern colored paper is a different story. Renova, for one, says its rolls are dermatologically and gynecologically tested and colorfast, so they should not transfer dye to your skin. Even so, if your skin is very sensitive, many dermatologists suggest plain white, unbleached, or bamboo paper to keep the risk of irritation as low as possible.
Where to Buy Colored Toilet Paper Today
You will not spot these rolls at the average grocery store, but they are alive and well online.
Portugal’s Renova is the best-known name in colored tissue and leans hard into the luxury angle, which earned it the nickname the “Beyonce of toilet papers.” The brand launched its now-iconic black roll worldwide in 2005 and has since added red, blue, green, orange, and fuchsia to the range. The paper is 3-ply virgin pulp with a light sandalwood scent.
You can buy Renova toilet tissue directly on Amazon. Just be ready to pay a premium; a designer roll costs far more than a standard multipack of white.
Beyond Renova, novelty printed paper turns up around holidays like Halloween and Christmas, though those are made for gag gifts rather than daily use.
Why Is Toilet Paper White?
If color is more fun, why did white become the default? A few reasons stack up.
Sanitation Perception: White reads as clean and sterile, the same reason we picture doctors’ coats and hospital sheets. Buyers want the bathroom to feel hygienic, and white sells that feeling.
Environmental Impact: Wood pulp is naturally brown because of a polymer called lignin, which manufacturers bleach out because it yellows over time. Adding dye back in uses more chemicals and, much like in a septic system, can slow how quickly the paper breaks down.
Cost Efficiency: Skipping the dye step saves money. Since toilet paper is a disposable staple, keeping production cheap matters to makers and shoppers alike.
FAQs
Does Colored Toilet Paper Cause Infections?
Colored toilet paper can cause irritation or infection when it relies on harsh dyes, which is why older products were linked to contact dermatitis and even urinary tract infections. Modern brands like Renova are dermatologically and gynecologically tested and colorfast, so they are generally considered safe. If your skin is very sensitive, plain white, unbleached, or bamboo paper is the safest choice.
Is Colored Toilet Paper Flushable?
Yes, colored toilet paper is flushable and works with standard sewer lines and most septic tanks. Because the dyes make it decompose more slowly, it can take longer to break down than the ultra-thin, rapid-dissolve tissue made for RVs or delicate septic systems. If you run a sensitive septic setup, check the packaging first.
Is Colored Toilet Paper Bad for the Environment?
Colored toilet paper has a bigger environmental footprint than unbleached or recycled white paper. Dyeing takes extra water and chemicals, the finished roll breaks down more slowly, and the dyes can add pollutants to the water system after flushing.
Can You Still Buy Colored Toilet Paper?
Yes, you can still buy colored toilet paper online even though most stores stopped stocking it. Portugal’s Renova sells premium rolls in black, red, blue, green, orange, and fuchsia through Amazon and its own site, and pastel shades are still sold in parts of Europe. Novelty printed paper also shows up around holidays.
Keeping it Colorful
White toilet paper is not going anywhere, but it is nice to know the colorful option survived for the bold decorators among us. A black or red roll still makes a statement, whether you are matching a retro bathroom or just having some fun with it.
If you are happy to pay extra for a pop of color, there is no rule that says the bathroom has to be beige.
