While America uses the most toilet paper in the world, Ireland uses 124 rolls per year per person, so we're a bit more frugal than the US.

The trade war emerging between Canada and the US is having a knock-on effect on many industries, including the manufacturing of toilet paper.

America uses Canadian lumber to make the household item, and considering the US uses the most toilet paper in the world on average, they need a lot of lumber.

Ireland only uses 124 rolls of average toilet paper per year per person, and when compared to the US's 141 rolls, and Germany's 134, it seems we're a little bit more frugal with our usage.

So what tips could we give Americans to help them use less toilet paper in case a shortage is on the horizon?

Well, Home Economist, Agnes Boucher Hayes, joined Seán Moncrieff to discuss some fun facts that people may not be aware of, including which way around a toilet roll should go on the holder.

She revealed that Seth Wheeler, the man who developed modern toilet rolls, said it should be "over so it's easier to take out, and more hygienic as it's not touching the wall."

She was also asked about people who have three-ply toilet paper and if that means they don't need to use as much, to which she replied: "Well you wouldn't have to use as much as it is designed to be more absorbent and stronger so that it doesn't break.

"And usually people [who use] single ply more, is because it tends to break down more easily if they have a septic tank.

"Now, there is also a cost difference for each of those, so the one-ply would be the bog-standard basic and the two-ply would be a little more expensive and there is also a four-ply but we don't need to go to that level of luxury, but the three ply would be more expensive.

"When you're thinking about buying you can look at different [options]. You can bulk buy or buy on offer and it varies from about 41c to about €1.70 a roll. So you can make savings there depending on what you buy, how you buy and when you buy."

The factors people need to take into consideration when choosing their toilet paper are budget and what's available, and the way you use the toilet paper.

Main image: Toilet paper Picture by: Alamy stock photo