A UK-based psychiatric hospital in the 1970s replaced its usual soft toilet tissue with Izal medicated toilet roll as a cost-saving measure. The decision was made after the institution's administrators sought ways to reduce expenses. According to an article published in The Guardian, therapists conducting successful sessions for outpatients with compulsive disorders were surprised by a sudden improvement in their patients' cleanliness habits.
The use of Izal medicated toilet roll led to patients being more diligent about washing their hands after using the bathroom. While it may seem counterintuitive that a medicated toilet roll would encourage such behaviour, it appears that the patients associated the disinfectant properties with cleanliness.
It is worth noting that this unusual experiment was not without its challenges. Some patients reportedly struggled to adjust to the harsher texture of the Izal medicated toilet roll. Nevertheless, the results suggest that a simple change in toiletries can have a significant impact on patient behaviour.