Toast - Series 7: Izal Medicated Toilet Paper

Izal medicated toilet paper was once a staple of British bathrooms - a curious cultural icon, remembered as much for its distinctive feel as for its antiseptic promise. Produced for decades by the Sheffield‑based company Newton, Chambers & Co., Izal became woven into the fabric of schools, hospitals and public buildings across the UK.

So how did a product that was everywhere for so long, end up disappearing from shelves, surviving only in nostalgia, and uncomfortable memories?

BBC Business journalist Sean Farrington investigates how Izal medicated toilet paper went from national widespread use to historical footnote, joined by resident business expert and entrepreneur Sam White.

To uncover the story, Sean and Sam dig into industrial archives, public‑health records and the memories of those who grew up with the unmistakable crinkle of Izal.

They hear from former Newton Chambers employees, alongside Dr Alice White - Digital Editor at English Heritage and Historian of Psychology and former Jeyes employees, Nicholas Goodwin and Jayne Howe- who followed the Izal brand closely after it changed hands in the 1980s.

At the end, Sam must draw her own conclusions about the fate of Izal medicated toilet paper - from changing hygiene standards to the rise of softer, more luxurious competitors - and decide whether its decline was inevitable or simply a failure to adapt?

If you have a good idea for an interesting Toast topic then tell us about it - email toast@bbc.co.uk

This episode was produced by Linda Walker. Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(215)

Sliced Bread - Series 17: Laundry Detergents

Pods, liquids and powders: which laundry detergent really cleans up?A trip down the laundry aisle can leave you faced with a welter of confusing marketing claims. From stain-busting formulas and lower...

20 Aug 32min

Sliced Bread - Series 17: Pillows

What makes the perfect pillow? Nothing saying ‘waking up on the wrong side of the bed’ like a crick in your neck. With up to 70% of us experiencing neck pain at some point in our lives, sleeping in a ...

13 Aug 26min

Sliced Bread - Series 17: Air Conditioning

What's the best way to keep your home cool?As heatwave after heatwave pushes temperatures higher across the UK and Europe, air conditioning has become a serious topic. Listener Rachel is one of many p...

6 Aug 31min

Sliced Bread - Series 17: Language Learning Apps

Can you really learn a new language from apps like Duolingo? Sliced Bread listener Nathan Phelps has been teaching himself Japanese. He’s tried textbooks, tutors, and crucially, language apps on hi...

30 Jul 26min

Sliced Bread - Series 17: Kitchen Sponges, Cloths and Brushes

Which is the most hygienic for cleaning your kitchen?Most of us will be familiar with the cheap packs of coloured kitchen sponges with the abrasive tops, used for washing dishes and wiping surfaces. B...

23 Jul 25min

Sliced Bread - Series 17: Robotic Lawnmowers

Can robotic lawnmowers save you time without hassling hedgehogs?Listener Pat has seen adverts for robotic lawnmowers and has lots of questions: Do they cut effectively? How do they manage with edges a...

16 Jul 29min

Sliced Bread - Series 17: Gut Microbiome Tests

Can a test tell you what's living inside your gut - and what to do about it?That's what listener Pete Mace asked us, kicking off a brand new series of Sliced Bread! He's seen 'gut microbiome tests' a...

10 Jul 27min

Toast - Series 7: Orange

Orange was once one of the most recognisable brands in Britain — a mobile network with its iconic slogan “The future’s bright, the future’s Orange”, it helped turn mobile phones from elite business to...

2 Jul 24min