The Easy Way To Tell If Your Toilet Paper Is Septic-Safe

Regardless of design or features, toilets are prone to clogs if you flush down solid materials. For instance, if you frequently flush toilet paper after doing your private business, there's a chance for the drain pipe to get congested, especially if you are using toilet paper that does not break down easily in water. This commonly happens in homes with a private septic system instead of a public connection to the city's sewer line, where waste is carried away and handled at a treatment facility.

With a septic system, solid waste settles at the bottom of the tank, while lighter waste floats to the top. And while bacteria help break down the organic matter, they can only do so much in degrading solid waste. Over time, the sludge buildup — a mixture of heavy solid waste comprising human waste, food particles, and toilet paper — will reduce the septic tank's capacity, causing clogs or costly damage to the entire toilet system. A simple but effective way to prevent this from happening is to use toilet paper that is septic-safe. But how do you determine the best toilet paper to use for a healthy septic tank with less chances of clogs?

There's a simple trick you can do to test if the toilet paper you have is septic-safe. Drop a few squares or sheets in a jar of water, shake it, and check if the paper quickly breaks apart. If it does, then your septic tank will thank you.

When shopping for toilet paper, it's easy to choose types that are septic-safe when they are labeled as such on the packaging. However, not all products have this on their packaging. Since you can't perform the water test at the store, you'll have to rely on what you can see from the different options available. Looking for keywords in the product description is your safest bet to securing septic-safe toilet paper for your home.

One of the keywords to look for on the packaging is "biodegradable." Biodegradable toilet paper is the type that won't mess up your septic tank since it is designed to decompose within a few weeks, even with minimal water. That's less time than other rolls that can take months to years. This type is also free from harsh chemicals, like unnecessary fragrances or dyes that can disrupt the bacteria in your septic tank.

Another keyword to consider is "tree-free." This type of toilet paper is made from bamboo or sugarcane, so it dissolves fast and is also sustainable. In particular, tree-free bamboo toilet paper dissolves so quickly that it is considered septic-safe. Dissolution rate may vary depending on the thickness of the product itself, however. Speaking of thickness, you should always opt for thinner toilet paper for your bathroom. Plumbing experts do not recommend ultra-thick or luxury toilet paper types since they are hard to break down and can cause trouble in the drain pipe. Invest in single-ply toilet paper instead of quilted or triple-ply varieties.