Which Toilet Tissue Is Best For Septic Tanks?

Nov 25, 20245 min read

Updated: Dec 16, 2024

Selecting the right toilet tissue is more essential for homeowners than ever. Many homeowners often ask what toilet tissue is best for septic tanks to protect their bathrooms from nasty odors, water overflow, or clogging issues.

Not all tissues are designed to break down easily; some can cause serious impact if flushed out. This is why it’s essential to understand what makes septic systems safe and prevents you from unnecessary headaches.

Is All Toilet Paper Septic-Safe?

All toilet paper is septic-safe. Some toilet tissues or papers take more time to break down, which causes clogging or buildup issues inside the tank.

Some thick, multi-ply, or heavily scented that are considered the worst toilet paper for septic tanks often don’t dissolve quickly, which puts extra pressure on a stain on your tank.

The biodegradable toilet paper for septic tanks quickly breaks down solid waste without blocking the task to prevent any major issues.

Such tissues or papers don’t contain chemicals like fragrances or dyes to prevent internal issues. Selecting the best bathroom tissue for septic systems secures your system and lowers maintenance costs.

Ensure to read the product descriptions with septic-safe labels before purchasing any.

Key Factors In Selecting Septic-Safe Toilet Paper

Dissolvability

The most crucial feature of septic-safe toilet paper is how quickly it dissolves. Tissues that break down easily prevent clogs and reduce stress on your system. Products like Scott's rapidly dissolving toilet paper are explicitly designed for this purpose.

Biodegradable Materials

When selecting toilet tissues, ensure to focus on biodegradable materials. These papers break down faster and are better for the environment. Look for options labeled as biodegradable wipes or recycled materials for safer use.

Chemical-Free Composition

For septic cleaning, use products free from chemicals to avoid unnecessary issues. These chemicals can harm (lower) the bacteria inside the tank, damaging its natural process of dealing with waste. Opt for natural and untreated paper to keep your system running smoothly.

Ply And Thickness

Single-ply toilet paper is usually better for septic systems. It dissolves faster than multi-ply paper, which can create blockages. The best single-ply toilet paper is soft yet durable while protecting your tank.

Certification And Labeling

Always check the packaging for "septic-safe" or "RV-safe" certifications. These labels ensure the product has been tested and approved for use in sensitive systems like septic tanks.

Top Recommended Toilet Paper Brands For Septic Systems

Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare

This type of toilet tissue is trendy among homeowners. These one-ply toilet papers are designed to quickly break down household waste and prevent the risk of clogging and unpleasant odors.

The materials used inside it make it soft, reducing septic issues while being flushed out. Most users appreciate its balance, strength and dissolvability, making it a perfect choice for daily use.

Scott Rapid-Dissolving Toilet Paper

Scott rapid-dissolving toilet paper is designed for RVs, boats, and septic tanks. Due to its quick dissolving capability, it prevents buildup and ensures smooth operation inside the septic system.

Despite being single-ply, it offers sufficient strength and comfort. This brand is often recommended for those seeking a balance between durability and septic safety.

Seventh Generation White Toilet Paper

The seventh-generation white toilet papers are designed from 100% recyclable materials. These tissues are eco-friendly and are septic-safe.

Additionally, they don’t contain any fragrance or bleach material that can harm the sewer system. Its two-ply structure has the desired softness and toughness, making it an eco-friendly and septic-safe product.

Angel Soft Toilet Paper

Angel Soft offers affordable toilet paper, which is also septic-safe. This two-ply toilet paper has a quick-dissolving characteristic, thus minimizing the risk of clogging.

It is soft to the touch, very comfortable, and readily available for many homes, making it an easy fit.

Caboo Tree-Free Bamboo Toilet Paper

Caboo has a cut above regular toilet paper as it provides one made from almost an entirely green product—bamboo.

Bamboo is treated as a renewable resource that decomposes naturally; hence, this toilet paper is eco-friendly and can be used even in septic systems.

It consists of two layers that provide some degree of softness while at the same time being quite strong for people looking for eco-friendly smart solutions.

What Is The Safest Toilet Paper For Septic Tanks?

Septic systems tend to experience blockage because of toilet paper, which can cause damage to the internal piping system.

When considering the use of toilet paper, there is no better option than a biodegradable variant.

In any case, most plumbers usually advise homeowners against using very thick, multi-layer paper tissues that often have dyes and fragrances.

Toilet tissue safe for septic tanks ensures that the system can work efficiently without worrying whether the tank will fill up soon. Make sure to read the back of the package for septic system compatibility.

Testing Toilet Paper For Septic Safety At Home

Gather Your Supplies: For testing, you need a glass jar, water, and toilet tissue. This simple step helps you to know how quickly paper dissolves or breaks down.
Perform The Dissolvability Test: Place a few sheets of toilet paper inside the jar and shake it for at least 10 seconds to check if it dissolves quickly.
Check The Results: if the tissue paper dissolves quickly into tiny particles, it is a septic-safe tissue. If it remains intact, it can cause clogging or further toilet issues.
Repeat for Multiple Brands: Test different brands of this, especially those labeled with septic-safe or RV-safe toilet paper. This will ensure you select the best toilet paper for your septic system.
Make an Informed Choice: Based on the results, find the tissue brand that dissolves quickly to make an informed decision for your system.

How Long Does Toilet Paper Take To Decompose In A Septic Tank?

Toilet papers usually take 1 to 3 weeks to decompose in the septic tank properly. It depends on tissue type and quality.

The toilet tissue products labeled with septic-safe, biodegradable papers and single-ply are easy to dissolve because they are meant to be quickly wiped.

Thicker, multi-ply, and fragrance-related tissue takes much longer to decompose, or most of the time, they don’t even dissolve, which causes clogging, water overflowing, and creating unnecessary gurgling sounds.

Additional Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Septic System

Ensure to pump your septic tank once a week to prevent water buildup and system failure.
In the septic tank, don't flush down non-biodegradable items such as baby wipes, grease, coffee beans, paper towels, and tampons.
Use septic-safe cleaning products to secure bacteria growth in your tank.
Ensure that water usage is inspected to prevent overloading the septic system.
Schedule regular inspections to catch potential issues early, such as sewer flies that cause health issues.
Always prioritize keeping trees and shrubs away from the septic system to prevent internal or external damage.

Conclusion

Selecting the best toilet tissue for your septic system is always best. It prevents you and your family members from an unhealthy environment.

Use biodegradable and septic-safe toilet tissue papers and educate family members not to flush them in the toilet. Regular maintenance and inspection will help you inspect issues early and enhance the septic system's lifespan.

Want to resolve your septic system clogging issue with septic-safe tissue? Barnes Sewer and Septic are here to assist you with the best guidance and repair services.