Paper begins as cellulose fibers from trees or recycled material. Trees also contain lignin, a brown substance that can make paper stiff, beige, and more likely to yellow over time.
Manufacturers remove much of the lignin and brighten the pulp with bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide. This helps make the paper softer, lighter, and more resistant to discoloration.
White also became associated with cleanliness, so marketing and habit kept the color popular. What seems like a simple bathroom product is actually shaped by science, design, and expectations we rarely question.
