Why Do Koreans Give Toilet Paper and Detergent as Housewarming Gifts?
If you are invited to a Korean housewarming party, the classic gift is a big pack of toilet paper or a bottle of laundry detergent. It sounds odd at first, but both carry a hopeful meaning: toilet paper unrolls easily, so it wishes that everything in the new home will "unroll" smoothly, and detergent foams up, so it wishes that luck and money will multiply like bubbles. They are also simply useful, which Koreans value in a gift.
What is a Korean housewarming (jipdeuri)?
A housewarming in Korea is called jipdeuri (집들이). After moving into a new home, people invite friends, family or co-workers over, usually for a home-cooked meal or delivery food. It is a way to show off the new place, thank people who helped with the move, and start life in the home with good energy. Guests are expected to bring something, and the gift is usually practical rather than decorative.
Why toilet paper?
The meaning comes from a simple picture: a roll of toilet paper unwinds without getting stuck. In Korean, people say they hope things go sul-sul (술술), meaning smoothly and easily, like thread coming off a spool. Giving toilet paper says, "May your work, health and life in this house go smoothly."
There is also a practical reason. Toilet paper is something every household uses, it never goes to waste, and a large multi-roll pack looks generous. You will often see guests arriving at an apartment carrying a 30-roll pack under one arm.
Why laundry detergent?
Detergent makes foam that keeps growing as you wash. The wish is that the family's fortune, wealth and happiness will bubble up and multiply in the same way. Like toilet paper, it is a gift that will actually be used, so nobody worries about clutter.
Dish soap, fabric softener and other cleaning products are given with a similar idea. Some people choose gift sets that combine shampoo, body wash and toothpaste, which are widely sold in Korean supermarkets, especially around holidays.
Other popular housewarming gifts
- Tissues – similar meaning to toilet paper, and always useful.
- Candles or a diffuser – more common among younger people and friends.
- Kitchen items – a good frying pan, a set of nice glasses, or a small appliance for close friends.
- Plants – small houseplants are popular, though some older people avoid flowers that wilt quickly.
- Food and drinks – fruit boxes, wine, or a bottle of something for the party itself.
- Money – close family sometimes give cash in an envelope instead of an item.
Many younger Koreans now simply ask the host what they need, or send a gift through a messenger app's gift feature. Even so, toilet paper and detergent remain the safe, recognisable choice, and many hosts still smile when they see a big pack at the door.
Gifts to think twice about
Korean gift customs are relaxed, but a few superstitions linger with older generations. Some people feel that sharp items such as knives can "cut" a relationship, and white chrysanthemums are linked with funerals, so they are not a good choice for a celebration. Shoes are sometimes avoided between couples because of an old saying that the person may "walk away". If you are not sure, practical household goods are always safe.
Etiquette if you are invited
Take off your shoes at the entrance — Korean homes are shoe-free inside (see why Koreans take off their shoes indoors). Hand your gift over with both hands or with your right hand supported by your left. The host may not open it in front of you, which is normal. In winter, expect a warm floor thanks to underfloor heating; our guide to ondol floor heating explains what guests should know.
As one POPORO CITY neighbour likes to joke: "In Korea you can judge a friendship by the size of the toilet paper pack."
Quick tips
- Toilet paper or detergent from any supermarket or convenience store is a perfectly good gift.
- A bigger pack looks more generous than an expensive brand.
- Bring it in its shopping bag or with a simple ribbon; fancy wrapping is not needed.
- For a close friend, add something personal, like a plant or a bottle of wine.
- If the host is a colleague or older person, practical gifts are the safest choice.
FAQ
Is it rude to give toilet paper as a gift in Korea?
No. It is one of the most traditional housewarming gifts and carries a positive meaning that things will go smoothly in the new home.
How much should I spend on a Korean housewarming gift?
There is no fixed rule. A large pack of toilet paper or a detergent set is normal among friends and colleagues. Closer friends and family may give more.
Can I give money at a jipdeuri?
Cash is sometimes given by close relatives, but most friends bring an item. If you are a foreign guest, a household gift is the easiest choice.
Do Koreans still follow this custom?
Yes, although younger people often mix it with modern gifts or ask the host what they need. Toilet paper and detergent are still widely recognised and appreciated.