Cottonelle Toilet Paper Review: My Team Cottonelle Blogger Toolkit

Disclosure: I received the Team Cottonelle blogger toolkit for review. All opinions are my own and reflect my personal experience with the products.

Toilet paper isn't usually the most exciting thing to talk about, but when you have sensitive skin, finding a brand that feels comfortable can make a real difference. So when I was unexpectedly chosen as a Team Cottonelle blogger and a huge box of bathroom products arrived, I was excited to see what was inside-and whether any of it would earn a permanent spot in our home.

What started as a Cottonelle toilet paper review turned into a much longer story. Some of the products were fun to try, a few are still being used all these years later, and one taught us an expensive lesson about our plumbing. Here's what came in the box, what I thought at the time, and what I would tell you about those products now.

What Makes Cottonelle Toilet Paper Different?

When I first wrote this review, I was talking about Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and the products inside a promotional blogger toolkit. But if you're deciding whether Cottonelle is worth buying for your own bathroom, you probably want more than a description of the box. What is actually different about the paper, how is it made, and what are you getting for your money? Those questions matter to me, especially when a product is something we buy repeatedly for the homestead.

Who Makes Cottonelle?

Cottonelle is a toilet tissue brand in Kimberly-Clark's North American household-paper lineup. Kimberly-Clark is also associated with well-known household brands such as Kleenex and Scott. The important thing for shoppers is that Cottonelle is a branded paper product with different varieties rather than one single, unchanging type of toilet paper. Product names, packages, and roll sizes can change, so I always look at the actual variety instead of assuming every Cottonelle package is identical.

What Is Cottonelle Toilet Paper Made Of?

Despite the name, Cottonelle toilet paper is not made from cotton fabric. According to the manufacturer, the toilet tissue is made with plant-based wood fibers, specifically virgin wood fibers rather than recycled paper. Cottonelle describes its sourcing as a mix of FSC-certified forest materials and FSC-controlled wood sources. That tells you something about where the fibers come from, but it does not mean the product is made from recycled material or that it has no environmental impact. I think those are useful distinctions for readers who are trying to make thoughtful choices for their homes.

The current Cottonelle Ultra Clean product information says its toilet paper has no added perfumes or dyes. The manufacturer's Ultra Soft product information also describes that variety as free of added perfumes and dyes. That's important to me because I have sensitive skin and prefer to avoid scented toilet paper. Of course, no product can promise that every person with sensitive skin will react the same way.

How Does the CleaningRipples Texture Work?

One feature that sets Cottonelle apart from some smoother toilet papers is its CleaningRipples texture. Instead of a completely flat surface, the sheets have a noticeable pattern intended to help lift and remove residue when you wipe. That textured surface is one of the reasons the brand emphasizes cleaning performance rather than softness alone.

When I first tried the paper, I noticed the simple lines in the sheets instead of the decorative embossed designs I had seen on other rolls. At that point I cared less about how the paper looked than whether it felt comfortable and did the job. I found it soft enough for me, less likely to tear in use, and absorbent enough that I felt I needed fewer sheets. Those are observations from using it in our own home, not controlled tests or promises about how many sheets anyone else will save.

What Is the Difference Between Cottonelle Ultra Clean and Ultra Soft?

Two currently listed varieties are Ultra Clean and Ultra Soft. They are designed with slightly different priorities, so it helps to know which one you're comparing:

• Cottonelle Ultra Clean: A one-ply toilet tissue made with strong CleaningRipples texture. Cottonelle markets this version around removing residue and maintaining strength. The manufacturer says it is three times thicker and stronger than the leading U.S. value brand; that's the company's comparison, not a measurement I made.
• Cottonelle Ultra Soft: A two-ply toilet tissue with a softer CleaningRipples texture, designed with comfort and moisture absorption in mind. Cottonelle says this version is three times more absorbent than the leading U.S. value brand. Ultra Comfort was an earlier name for the product now marketed as Ultra Soft, according to Cottonelle.

One-ply doesn't automatically mean thin or uncomfortable, and two-ply doesn't automatically mean better for every home. The thickness of the sheet, how it holds together, the feel against your skin, and the number of sheets you actually use all matter. If you haven't tried both versions, starting with a smaller package can make more sense than committing to a huge pack based on advertising alone.

When, Where, and Why Did Cottonelle Become Our Regular Brand?

My introduction to Cottonelle came through the Team Cottonelle blogger campaign. The toolkit arrived on December 23, the day after Jeff and I got married. That's why I didn't immediately write about the package; we had a lot going on! Once I had a chance to put the products in our bathroom and actually use them, the toilet paper stood out to me.

I had tried other brands that felt rough or irritated my skin, so finding something that worked for me was a practical improvement, not just an exciting free sample. We didn't keep buying Cottonelle because it arrived in a blogger box. We kept buying it because we liked using it. And all these years later, it's still the toilet paper we choose for our home.

Why Choose Cottonelle Over Cheaper Toilet Paper?

That is a fair question. Most toilet paper serves the same basic purpose, so why pay more for one brand when a cheaper package may do the job? I don't believe a higher price automatically means better quality. But I also don't think comfort and performance are the same for every brand, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Before receiving my Team Cottonelle blogger toolkit, I used another brand. I thought it was perfectly normal toilet paper at the time. After switching to Cottonelle, though, I began noticing how different the paper felt. Even now, when I visit someone else's home and use a different brand, I can often tell the difference. The texture, softness, and way the paper holds together are things I notice. That doesn't mean the other toilet paper is bad or that it won't work well for someone else. It means that, after using Cottonelle for years, I know which one I prefer.

Is the Extra Cost Worth It?

For me, the extra cost is partly about avoiding the rough, irritating feeling I've experienced with some other toilet papers. It is also about knowing what to expect when I buy another package. We use this product every day, so consistent comfort matters. I've found Cottonelle works well for me without the skin irritation I've had with some brands. That's a personal result, not a guarantee for everyone with sensitive skin.

There may also be a practical difference in the amount of paper you use. When I first switched, I felt that Cottonelle was absorbent and held together well enough that I didn't need as much. But I haven't measured that in a side-by-side test, so I wouldn't claim it always saves money or that everyone will use fewer sheets. You have to consider the size of the sheets, the number of sheets per package, the number of layers, and what works best in your own home.

If a less expensive toilet paper feels comfortable, cleans well, and doesn't cause problems for you, there is no reason to switch just because another brand has a bigger marketing budget. If the cheaper option feels scratchy or frustrating to use, though, it may be worth trying a small package of something different. Price matters, but so does whether you actually like the product you bring home.

What persuades me most isn't the original free toolkit, the advertising, or the package design. It's that we have continued buying Cottonelle with our own money all these years later. On a homestead where I pay close attention to everyday expenses, that is a decision I don't take lightly.

What Have Independent Toilet Paper Tests Found?

My own experience explains why I keep buying Cottonelle, but I also wanted to know whether independent testing supports some of the differences I notice. In Good Housekeeping's laboratory comparison of more than 30 toilet papers, Cottonelle Ultra Comfort received the "Strongest" designation based on its combined wet and dry strength scores. Testers also reported high absorbency, no visible pilling or separation between the two layers, and a rippled texture. That fits with what I've noticed about the paper holding together well during use.

But there was a trade-off: that two-ply Cottonelle variety wasn't the softest tested, and it dissolved more slowly than several other products. It still broke down faster than some of the plushest options, according to the review. That's worth considering if you have older plumbing or worry about clogs. The tests covered Ultra Comfort, not necessarily the exact Clean Care version I received in the original toolkit, so I wouldn't treat the results as proof that every Cottonelle variety performs the same way.

And higher price alone isn't a guarantee of better results. Consumer Reports' toilet paper buying guide says that some less-expensive brands combine strength and softness without commanding the highest prices, although the very cheapest products in its tests tended to fall short on both qualities. That is why I think it's worth comparing paper based on comfort, durability, sheet count, and how it works for your family-not just the brand name on the package.

How Do You Know Whether Cottonelle Is a Good Value?

Rather than assuming a package marked "mega" or "family" is the best deal, I compare the total number of sheets and, when listed, the total square footage in the package. Roll labels don't always tell you exactly how much paper you are buying. You can divide the package price by the total number of sheets and multiply by 100 to compare the cost per 100 sheets. But don't forget to check sheet dimensions and whether you're comparing one-ply with two-ply. A cheaper sheet isn't much of a bargain if you need to use far more of it.

For us, it comes down to a balance of comfort, performance, and what we spend. I don't have a current laboratory comparison or a universal claim that Cottonelle is cheaper than every other brand. What I do have is years of actually using it, and that experience has been good enough that we still choose it when we restock the bathroom.

Is Cottonelle Toilet Paper Safe for Sewer and Septic Systems?

Cottonelle describes its current toilet paper as septic-safe and designed to break down after flushing. That's consistent with our experience of the regular toilet paper; we have continued using it and have not had the sewer trouble we experienced with cleansing wipes. That doesn't guarantee every home's plumbing will behave the same way, because conditions vary.

It's important not to confuse toilet paper with wet wipes, including products labeled flushable. Cottonelle says its flushable wipes meet its stated flushability standards, but advice from water and wastewater authorities can differ. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends flushing only human waste and toilet paper and warns that wet wipes can clog septic systems. Many wastewater utilities give similar advice for sewer lines. I take that distinction seriously after the plumbing problems we experienced ourselves. I'll share exactly what happened in the follow-up section below without pretending I can diagnose every reason our old sewer line needed replacement.

Team Cottonelle Blogger Toolkit Arrives

"More Is Better" was the message behind the Team Cottonelle campaign, which promoted Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper as containing 25% more than a leading competitor at the time. As a chosen member of Team Cottonelle, I received a really awesome blogger toolkit on December 23.

It arrived the day after I got married, so I did not blog about it right away, but I immediately placed all the awesome products in our bathroom and started using them. The products the kit contained, according to the letter, were to keep us satisfied and comfortable in the bathroom - and that is what they have done.  

Team Cottonelle Blogger Toolkit Contents

Here's what the Team Cottonelle blogger toolkit included, along with my impressions after putting these everyday bathroom products to use:

• Toilet Paper Holder - This is really an awesome item because it sits on the floor and holds three rolls of the Cottonelle Clean Care. It makes it easy to keep the toilet paper stocked so you never run out. I fill mine as soon as two rolls are gone. Keeping the toilet paper holder filled really is the key.
• Kleenex Hand Towels - Yes, they are disposable - and around here hand towels get messy fast. I'm really enjoying these Kleenex Hand Towels and intend to buy more when I run out. They are saving me 25% more laundry and that equals more time to do the things I need or want to do.
• Meyer's Lavender Hand Soap And Refill - Yes, it is Mrs. Myers Clean Day soap. I make my own soap and as we all know bar soap can leave a mess on the bathroom sink. I am enjoying this hand soap. It does not dry my skin out, there is no mess because it is in a pump dispenser - it doesn't drip - the lavender scent is wonderful and I am spending 25% less time cleaning up the soap residue that builds up under my soap dish.
• Yankee Candle Clean Cotton Scented Fragrance Sphere - Fragrance is an issue for me because I am sensitive to scent. I tend to avoid the aisles with candles or other air freshener type products unless I am pretty desperate. The bathroom can get pretty smelly. In our house, the bathroom is the center room so the smell floats into the living room, kitchen and bedroom. That can get pretty disgusting at times if you know what I mean. I've tried different products from time to time but I have to say the Yankee Candle Scented Fragrance Sphere works wonderful. The scent does not bother me - in fact, I barely notice it which is a real plus because the last thing I want is a highly unnatural perfumed smell in the house.
• Uncle John's Bathroom Reader - I don't do much reading in the bathroom because I was taught to get in, do my business and get out. After all, other people were waiting. That lesson has remained with me through my life - still there are times when it just takes a while - and Uncle John's Bathroom Reader is ideal to keep in the bathroom. It is filled with short bits of interesting trivia so I don't feel like I have to finish an entire page. It makes getting out faster once my business is done so much easier.
• Cozy Robe - Being 25% more cozy and warm - especially in this house because of the lack of heat - is important. Having just gotten married, I had a robe, but my new husband did not. He loves it - and I love that it is so soft and cozy to snuggle against.
• Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths - I had noticed this product on store shelves, wondered about it, but never picked it up and put it in my shopping cart. I really wasn't sure how well they worked, how irritating they might be (remember I have sensitive skin) or if they would just create more of a mess, so I was excited to try them. Ladies I don't know how many of you experience heavy flow during that time of the month, but these are ideal for cleaning yourself. They get rid of the mess and give a clean, fresh feeling. I liked how clean and fresh they made me feel, and at the time I intended to keep them on hand. I did originally flush them, but my experience with that changed. Important follow-up: I no longer flush or use these wipes. I explain what happened with our sewer pipes in the years-later update below.
• Cottonelle Clean Care Toilet Paper - I've tried a lot of toilet paper brands. Some don't make it past the first few uses. I am sensitive down there and don't want anything that feels rough. I don't want a toilet paper loaded with perfumes or other irritants. The last thing I need with my busy lifestyle is to feel raw or irritated all day. The first thing I noticed about the Cottonelle Clean Care Toilet Paper was instead of fancy pictures on the roll, it had plain lines. That was ok as long as I felt clean after using the toilet paper - and I did. The product is more absorbent, less likely to tear and I am finding that I use less. That saves money and that is a good thing. I have not had a reaction to this toilet paper at all and I began using it before the Team Cottonelle Blogger Toolkit arrived, so it's been about a month now. I intend to keep using this brand of toilet paper. We are both very happy with it.

Years Later: What We Still Use from the Team Cottonelle Toolkit

Going back to an older product review gives me a chance to share something you don't always get to see: what happened after the excitement of opening the box wore off. We still choose to buy Cottonelle toilet paper all these years later. It's comfortable for my sensitive skin, and we haven't had the sewer problems with the regular toilet paper that we experienced with the wipes.

The toilet paper holder has held up beautifully. We still use it, it still works, and it still looks great. Jeff liked the cozy robe so much that he kept it, and he still uses it. Uncle John's Bathroom Reader was an interesting read, too.

I still like the Mrs. Meyer's hand soap and buy it occasionally, but liquid hand soap isn't something I normally purchase because I make my own soap; I also share my goat milk soap recipes here on the blog. The Kleenex Hand Towels were another product I enjoyed, but they became so hard to find that I eventually gave up buying them. These days I can really see their value for my farm business. Single-use disposable hand towels are a practical option for hand drying when you're handling and preparing food, especially when you want to avoid having multiple people use the same cloth towel. I'd be happy to find a dependable supply again.

What Happened with the Cottonelle Cleansing Wipes and Our Plumbing

Here's the part of my original review that needs an important follow-up. I genuinely liked the cleansing wipes. They felt comfortable, worked well for me, and left me feeling clean. But we later had serious sewer problems. Wipes became caught in our sewer pipes, plumbers had to come out several times to snake the drains, and eventually we had an entirely new sewer line installed. Several plumbers advised us not to flush wipes.

I can't say that wipes alone caused every problem that led to the sewer-line replacement. What I can say is that we found ourselves dealing with repeated plumbing trouble, and I took the plumbers' advice seriously. I stopped using the wipes. If I ever decided to use cleansing wipes again, I'd put them in the trash rather than flush them, even if the package said they were flushable.

That's an important distinction in this review: I liked the wipes themselves, but I no longer recommend flushing them. We continue to buy and use Cottonelle toilet paper, which has not caused the same problems for us. These are our experiences in our own home, not a claim about how any product will perform in every plumbing system.

My Cottonelle Toilet Paper Review: What Stood Out

Of everything inside the Team Cottonelle blogger toolkit, the toilet paper ended up being the biggest surprise. I have sensitive skin, so softness matters, but I also want a product that holds together and leaves me feeling clean. In my experience, Cottonelle Clean Care did those things without the irritation I had experienced with some other brands. That's what persuaded me to switch.

The robe, soap, hand towels, and other extras made the box fun to unpack, and several were genuinely useful around our house. Still, finding a better fit for something we use every day is what I remember most about this campaign.

Have you ever tried a sample or received a review product that completely changed what you buy? I'd love to hear which everyday item surprised you-or whether you've had a different experience with Cottonelle. Share your thoughts in the comments!