How to discourage baby from putting certain things in his mouth without being mean?

So, my 8 month old is pulling up and constantly putting things in his mouth. Ok, I don't want to discourage his natural curiosity, and I've put most hazardous things out of reach. However, one thing that really bothers me is that he won't stop sucking on the toilet paper roll thing. I moved the toilet paper up, but I can't take the decorative roll thing off the wall without damaging our home that we are planning on selling in a few years. I used to have a ferret, and we would put "bitter apple" flavored stuff on things to discourage him from chewing. Can I use the same concept with my son? Maybe hot sauce or something? I don't want to hurt him, but there are certain things I need him to stop putting in his mouth.