Despite the overwhelming mechanical and hygienic advantages of Position 2, millions of people worldwide intentionally hang their rolls in Position 1 (Under). Are there legitimate, practical reasons for this choice?
As it turns out, there are two distinct scenarios where Position 1 offers practical benefits:
The Pet and Toddler Factor
Cats, dogs, and curious toddlers possess a natural instinct to bat at spinning objects with downward pawing motions.
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If hung "Over" (Position 2): A downward swipe of a cat's paw rotates the roll forward, continuously spooling feet of paper onto the floor in an unruly pile.
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If hung "Under" (Position 1): A downward swipe rotates the roll harmlessly inward, causing the roll to spin without unspooling paper onto the ground.
For households with energetic pets or small children, Position 1 is often a deliberate defensive strategy to prevent wasted paper and messy cleanup.
Recreational Vehicles (RVs), Boats, and Mobile Living
In moving environments like caravans, motorhomes, and yachts, road vibrations and sea swells can cause unsecured rolls to unravel freely while transit is underway. Position 1 dampens momentum because the hanging tail drags directly against the bulkhead wall, providing frictional resistance that stops accidental unspooling on bumpy terrain.
5. Public Consensus and Demographics
Public polling across various countries and demographic groups consistently shows an overwhelming preference for the "Over" orientation.
| Survey / Source | Sample Size / Context | Preference: Over (%) | Preference: Under (%) |
| Kankakee County Industrial Study | Residential consumers | ~70% | ~30% |
| Cottonelle Consumer Survey | North American households | 74% | 26% |
| American Standard Commercial Survey | Facility managers & designers | 82% | 18% |
| General Online Polls (Social Media) | Broad international audience | 70% – 85% | 15% – 30% |
Roughly three out of four people prefer Position 2. Furthermore, studies conducted by home-organization specialists and relationship therapists have revealed that nearly 20% of respondents admit to actively flipping an "improperly" hung roll when visiting friends' or relatives' homes, illustrating how strongly individuals feel about the orientation.
