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Our Scouts Tried Reel’s Bamboo Toilet Paper, and Here’s What They Thought

May 6, 2021

May 6, 2021

"Our Scouts tried out these sustainable bamboo paper products from Reel. Continue reading to see what they thought—and if bamboo toilet paper and paper towels could be right for you!"

You may have heard that of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra, “reuse” is the the optimum word. This means just about everyone in the sustainability space is looking to replace single-use products with reusables. But when it comes to items like paper towels or toilet paper, there isn’t always a great reusable option. Let’s face it: Some messes are just too messy. That’s where Reel comes in.

Reel offers toilet paper and paper towels made with 100 percent bamboo. Opting for this more sustainable material is key, since the equivalent of almost 27,000 trees are flushed down the toilet each day as toilet paper. Even better, all of Reel’s shipping materials are biodegradable and everything comes in plastic-free packaging. Simply recycle or compost the paper lining once used.

But if you thought Reel was only trying to do good by the planet, then we bet you’ll be ecstatic to hear that it’s trying to do good for people too. The brand has partnered with SOIL to provide toilets and ecological sanitation to communities in need. We gave our Scouts the opportunity to try out these sustainable (and altruistic) products, and let us tell you… toilet paper and paper towels never looked so inviting.

If you want to test out Reel’s planet-friendly products, use the code BRIGHTLY15 at checkout for a 15% discount on your subscription order.

(Disclaimer: We did not pay any of our Scouts to review these products, but they did receive the products for free. Join our Scouts program if you want the chance to participate in the next product drop!)

Photos: Saniye Kaza, Mia McCallum, Kaitlyn Zavesky, Kayla Siedlecki

What Our Scouts Thought of Reel’s Bamboo Paper Products

Kayla Siedlecki

Product I Tried:

Reel Bamboo Paper Towels

Star Rating: ★★★★☆

"These paper towels work wonders on any mess. Despite seeming thin, they’re durable and pretty absorbent. Plus, they’re better for the planet!"

Kathryn Gatewood

Product I Tried:

Reel Bamboo Paper Towels

Star Rating: ★★★★☆

"The paper towels are biodegradable since they’re free of inks or dyes! They were a little thinner than I imagined, which made me go through more of them. Thankfully, they’re sustainably made, so I don’t feel as bad using more of them. Despite the thinness of the paper towel, it did not rip—it stayed strong (just very wet)!"

Kimberlee Cardin

Product I Tried:

Reel Bamboo Paper Towels

Star Rating: ★★★★★

"These bamboo paper towels are amazing for messes that I want to toss out, instead of throw in my washing machine—toddlers are messier than I thought. I loved that I could get them wet or leave them dry and they don’t rip in half when I’m trying to clean something."

Sara Collins

Product I Tried:

Reel Toilet Paper

Star Rating: ★★★★★

"It’s very absorbent so you can use less of it, but it’s slightly rougher than regular toilet paper."

Saniye Kazan

Product I Tried:

Reel Toilet Paper

Star Rating: ★★★★★

"I have been looking for a sustainable toilet paper that actually works well, and Reel is just that! I like that it doesn’t fall apart or leave behind any pieces."

Kaitlyn Zavesky

Product I Tried:

Reel Bamboo Paper Towel

Star Rating: ★★★★★

"This is the only brand of bamboo paper towels I’ve tried, but they worked great! They’re durable and work just as good, if not better, than ‘normal’ paper towels. I liked knowing these are made from sustainable bamboo, which makes me feel less guilty about using paper towels."

Alysha Whitney

Product I Tried:

Reel Bamboo Paper Towel

Star Rating: ★★★☆☆

"I usually buy paper towels that are made of 100% recycled paper, and the Reel paper towels and my normal paper towels were very similar. They both have similar consistencies when feeling them, and when put them to the test side-by-side, they picked up the same amount of water no problem. The Reel paper towel I was able to pull apart easier, but I don’t usually go around trying to destroy paper towels. The Reel paper towel was also a tad smaller in size per sheet, but that really doesn’t bother me as long as it does what I need it to do."

Mia McCallum

Product I Tried:

Reel Bamboo Paper Towel

Star Rating: ★★★★★

"The Reel toilet paper was the same, if not better, than the current Charmin Ultra Strong that we use in my house. I am even somewhat picky about the toilet paper I will use. I liked that it was strong and not too rough. It was softer than I expected and stayed intact while it was being used. I absolutely loved that it was plastic-free. The only complaint I have is that it can be a bit difficult to pull off the roll at times, which can lead to tears in the next sheet."

Tiana Owen

Product I Tried:

Reel Toilet Paper

Star Rating: ★★★★★

"I was always told how uncomfortable bamboo toilet paper is and that I wouldn’t like it, but this brand proved them all wrong and made me realize how great bamboo toilet paper can be. I love that it’s plastic-free and saves on water, but it could be a little pricey for some people’s income."