Everything you want to know
about Kleenex^® tissue

While we know that many consumers use Kleenex® Tissues to wipe or clean their lenses, we have not tested Kleenex® Tissue for this purpose; therefore, we cannot recommend it. We suggest that consumers check with their lens care providers for the best method of cleaning their lenses.

Back to top

All Kleenex® Tissue cartons currently include information regarding the number of sheets, sheet size and color of the tissue on the package opening area. You will find these details either on the perforated, tear-out portion of most cartons or on the removable plastic overwrap of certain cube or upright styles.

Back to top

The Kleenex® Brand offers a range of tissues designed to provide the care you need for both everyday and targeted facial tissue use. Each of our varieties offers softness, strength and absorbency with customized features for tissue performance, personal convenience and aesthetics.

From Kleenex® Go Packs, which put essential care in your purse or pocket, to tissues made especially for your worst colds and allergies and the most sensitive noses, our products are designed to meet your individual care needs and your lifestyle. Explore our full range of options here.

Back to top

While we do not sell our products directly to individual consumers, you can purchase Kleenex^® Products online or find your local retailers here.

Back to top

No, we do not.

Back to top

Kleenex® anti-viral™ tissues kill 99.9% of cold & flu viruses in the tissue within 15 minutes. This applies to Rhinoviruses Type 1A and 2 (Rhinoviruses are the leading cause of the common cold); Influenza A and Influenza B (causes of the flu); and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV – the leading cause of lower respiratory infection in children). However, we cannot confirm that the product is specifically effective against coronavirus, as the product has not been tested against this disease.

To learn more about our ingredients, please visit us at https://www.kimberly-clark.com/en/ingredientsearch#q=kleenex.

Back to top

Pulp manufacturing mills are usually located near the wood source, while tissue manufacturing mills are located close to major markets. At the tissue manufacturing mills, the bales of pulp are put into a hydrapulper, which resembles a giant electric mixer. The pulp is mixed with water to form a pulp slurry of individual fibers in water known as stock or furnish.

As the stock moves to the machine, more water is added to make a thinner mixture which is more than 99 percent water. The cellulose fibers are then thoroughly separated in refiners before being formed into a web, or sheet, on the forming section of the creped wadding machine. When the sheet comes off the machine a few seconds later, it is 95 percent fiber and only 5 percent water. Typically, much of the water used in the process is recycled. Water not reused is treated to remove contaminants prior to discharge. Careful controls and monitoring ensure that the water leaving the mill meets or exceeds water quality standards.

A felt belt carries the sheet from the forming section to the drying section. In the drying section, the sheet is pressed onto the steam-heated drying cylinder and then scraped off the cylinder after it has been dried. The sheet is then wound into large rolls.

The large rolls are transferred to a rewinder, where two sheets of wadding (three sheets for Kleenex® Ultra Soft and with Lotion Tissue products) are plied together before being further processed by calendar rollers for additional softness and smoothness. After being cut and rewound, the finished rolls are tested and transferred to storage, ready for converting into Kleenex® Tissue.

In the converting department, numerous rolls are put on the multifolder, where in one continuous process, the tissue is interfolded, cut and put into Kleenex® Tissue cartons which are inserted into shipping containers. The interfolding causes a fresh tissue to pop out of the box as each tissue is removed.

Throughout the manufacturing process, Kimberly-Clark continuously looks for ways to reduce the amount of energy used per unit of production. Each of the company's mills in the United States has energy conservation programs and receives technical support and advice from the corporate energy staff. Kimberly-Clark is also committed to the reduction of waste going to the landfill. Active waste reduction and recycling efforts are in place at each mill.

Back to top

This symbol refers only to the content of the carton itself, the Kleenex® Tissue inside is made from nearly 100 percent virgin fiber. While we are developing alternative fibers for future use, virgin fiber is currently used because it provides the superior softness consumers expect from Kleenex® Tissue.

Back to top

Kleenex® Tissue was first introduced in 1924, when a package of 100 sheets sold for 65 cents. Although it was originally marketed as a cold cream remover, people used the tissue many other ways, especially as a disposable handkerchief. In 1930, advertising was changed to reflect this usage, and today more people buy Kleenex® Tissue than any other brand. 

Back to top

To explain how Kleenex® Tissue got its name, it is necessary to go back to 1920 and the development of our first consumer product, Kotex^® feminine napkins. Our Kotex® trademark was derived from the words "cotton texture" and met our requirements for being short, easy to say, easy to remember and easy to explain. Kleenex® Tissue was originally designed in 1924 as a cold cream remover; hence, the "Kleen" portion of the word was coined to convey the cleansing purpose. We then added the "ex" from Kotex® in order to convey what was the beginning of a family of products. In 1930, the name was changed from Kleenex® Cleansing Tissue to Kleenex® Facial Tissue or Kleenex® Tissue.

The trademark Kleenex® was registered with the U.S. Patent Office. The Kleenex® trademark identifies Kleenex® as a brand name which may only be used to designate products manufactured by Kimberly-Clark.

Back to top

1924 - Kleenex® Brand invented the facial tissue category.

1929 - Kleenex® Brand introduced the first POP-UP® cartons with a perforated opening.

1929 - Kleenex® Brand introduced colored tissue.

1930 - Kleenex® Brand introduced printed tissue.

1932 - Kleenex® Brand introduced Pocket Pack tissue.

1985 - Kleenex® Brand introduced BUNDLE PACK® Tissue for convenience.

1990 - Kleenex® Brand introduced Ultra, the first three-ply tissue.

Back to top

As our Kleenex® Brand tissues have not been designed or tested for flushability, please dispose of our products in the trash. Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes can be flushed, they are are designed to safely break down in home septic systems and will not affect the normal bacterial activity in a septic system.

Back to top

Selected tree species, including spruce, fir, aspen, maple and eucalyptus contain thin wood fibers which contribute to the desirable characteristics of softness, absorbency and strength in Kleenex® Tissue.

Back to top

Our cartons are fully recyclable with the poly insert attached. They are accepted at recycling facilities across the country.

Back to top

High-quality Kleenex® Tissue requires high-quality cellulose fibers. Pulp is purchased from a number of different sources. Kimberly-Clark does not own any forestlands but requires that all fiber purchased for our pulp mills come from sustainably managed forests.

Select wood is either transported to the pulp mill in the form of chips from lumber processing or as logs. The logs are then washed, debarked and cut into small, uniform chips, while individual cellulose fibers are separated by "cooking" the wood. The pulp is then processed for manufacture into the final product.

Back to top

Kleenex® Tissue is made with biodegradable cellulose fibers. Because the tissue is made with an additive to make it strong, it will not break down as rapidly as bathroom tissue. Therefore, we suggest you discard Kleenex® Tissue in the trash.

Back to top

Kimberly-Clark has long recognized the importance of corporate responsibility and integrated the concept of sustainability in our business practices. We published our first annual sustainability report in 2004, and the reports can be reviewed at www.kimberly-clark.com. From raw materials, our manufacturing processes, even our supply chain, we're building sustainability into every facet of how we work. This includes selecting suppliers that operate in a sustainable manner. To that end, we work hard to assure that the wood fiber we purchase comes only from well-managed forestlands or from recycled sources.

Learn more about our sustainability efforts here.

Back to top

At Kimberly-Clark, we take concern for the environment and conservation of natural resources seriously. In 2009, the Kimberly-Clark Foundation donated $400,000 to environmental causes and $550,000 over the last three years to Conservation International (CI) for a biodiversity conservation project. The project will have environmental benefits for the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, a major global pulp-producing region that provides 30 percent of our fiber.

Learn more about our conservation efforts here.

Back to top

Kimberly-Clark has one of the most progressive fiber procurement policies in the tissue industry. We support forestry practices that help conserve valuable forestlands, respect fundamental human rights and ensure both a thriving ecosystem and a sustainable source of wood fiber for the future.

In fact, K-C was the first major tissue company to set the goal of purchasing 100 percent of our wood fiber from suppliers that gain independent certification of their woodlands or their fiber procurement activities.

Learn more about our sustainability efforts here.

Back to top

KLEENEX® Brand Hand Towels offer a hygienic option for our consumers by providing an alternative to traditional cloth bathroom hand towels. KLEENEX® Hand Towels-- a clean, fresh towel every time™.

Back to top

Package recycling varies across the different materials used.

• Cartons can go in curbside recycling along with paper. The small plastic window can be kept on carton, they are removed during the paper recycling process.

• Multipack bundle poly film and Go*pack film can be added to ‘Store Drop Off’ collection with other packaging poly films. For store location: http://how2recycle.info/.

• On-the-go* Slim pack wallet and Go-anywhere* pack cannot be recycled.

• Wipes package film cannot be recycled due to film properties needed for moisture retention, but the polypropylene (#5) flip top lids can be removed from package and be added to curbside recycling where #5 is collected.

For Additional Information on Kimberly-Clark's commitment to sustainability, click here.

Back to top