The Best Toilet Paper for Septic Tanks

Choosing the best toilet paper for septic tanks is crucial in maintaining a healthy plumbing system. It's about more than just finding toilet paper that is soft and absorbent — if you have a septic system, you also need one that is easily dissolvable to prevent clogs and other plumbing issues.

At the same time, these considerations must balance with the other demands of toilet paper. No one cares if your toilet paper doesn’t mess up your septic system if it tears and breaks whenever you try to use it.

In this article, we will discuss the factors that make a toilet paper ideal for septic tanks and suggest some alternatives that can help keep your septic system clear.

What Makes a Toilet Paper Good for Septic Tanks

A variety of factors determine how good toilet paper is for septic tanks. In general, you want something that dissolves well and disappears quickly once it has been flushed. Any paper that has too much structural integrity can cause problems in your septic tank.

Structural integrity isn’t the only thing to keep in mind though. Here are some factors you should consider when buying toilet paper.

Dissolvability

When looking for the best toilet paper for septic tanks, consider the paper's ability to break down. Look for brands with a "septic safe" label, or opt for biodegradable or recycled paper, which tends to dissolve well.

Absorption

Avoid highly absorbent paper that tends to clump up in sensitive septic systems. Absorbent paper also doesn’t dissolve as well and becomes gummy. This gummy substance can get stuck in pipes and create clogs or lead to other problems.

Durability

Durability is another important factor to consider. Choose a toilet paper that has enough wet strength to hold up while in use but breaks down quickly when flushed. To do this, you might need to try out a few different brands to find one that is suitably soft but still breaks down well.

Chlorine Free

Avoid toilet paper that contains chlorine if you own a septic system! This chemical can kill the anaerobic bacteria in your septic tank that help break down waste. A good way to avoid chlorinated toilet paper is to buy recycled or biodegradable paper. These rolls are usually not treated with bleach or chlorine, so they don’t introduce any additional chemicals into the septic tank.

Ply Amount

Ply count is another consideration. Plush, multi-ply toilet paper is absorbent and durable, but it is not ideal for septic systems. In general, opt for a lower ply count to prevent stress on your septic tank.

Alternatives to Toilet Paper

Aside from toilet paper, you may also consider using alternatives like bidets or sanitary wipes. Here’s a little information about both:

Bidet

Bidets use a jet of water to clean rather than a disposable product like paper. As a result, using a bidet can help to reduce the strain on your septic system.

Excessive toilet paper use can contribute to clogging and other issues with septic systems, leading to costly repairs and maintenance. By reducing the amount of toilet paper used, a bidet can help to prevent these problems and extend the lifespan of your septic system.

A bidet can even save you money as it reduces or entirely eliminates the cost of buying toilet paper. While it does have a somewhat high installation cost when compared to buying toilet paper, it can pay itself off surprisingly quickly.

Sanitary Wipes

Sanitary wipes are quite bad for your septic system. So why are we talking about them here? Well, if you use sanitary wipes, you shouldn’t be flushing them. Because you don’t flush the wipes, they are actually good for your septic tank at the end of the day.

Note that while some wipes are labeled flushable, studies have shown that they do not break down well. So if you want to maximize the benefits to your septic tank, we recommend throwing used sanitary wipes in the trash.

Keep Your Septic System Healthy with Help from Mr. Rooter Plumbing

In maintaining your septic system's health, remember that choosing the right toilet paper is just one aspect. Regular septic tank pumping and general septic tank services are also necessary to keep your plumbing system running smoothly. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we offer these services and can help you determine when it's time to have your septic tank pumped. Give us a call to request a service today!