The Best Septic Tank Safe Toilet Paper
Every time you flush your toilet, everything that was in the toilet travels straight to your septic tank, including your toilet paper. Once it reaches the septic tank, it eventually begins to fall apart and settle at the bottom with all of the other solids that have made the journey to the septic tank.
Over time, that solid “sludge” layer at the bottom of the tank will build up and begin to fill the septic tank. That’s why it’s so important to regularly pump your septic tank. As you can imagine, the more use the septic tank gets and the more solids, like toilet paper, that are sent to the tank, the more often you’ll have to pump your septic tank.
Believe it or not, but not all toilet paper behaves the same way inside the septic tank. Some brands of toilet paper will tend to stay together and not fall apart, while other brands that make septic tank safe toilet paper have designed their toilet paper to disintegrate into tiny little particles. This makes it much easier for the bacteria inside the tank to dissolve the toilet paper and send it on down into the leech field. Ultimately minimizing the amount of solids that remain inside the septic tank itself.
In this post I’m going to explain what the best septic tank safe toilet paper is as well as explain how toilet paper affects your septic system. I’ll also share several tips for maintaining a healthy septic system.
Best Toilet Paper For Septic Tank (Quick List)
The Best Septic Tank Safe Toilet Paper (Reviews)
1. Cascades B340 Standard Bathroom Tissue, 2-Ply (Top Pick)
You might not have heard of Cascades Bathroom Tissue before, but don’t let that fool you, because without a doubt, Cascades toilet paper is best choice when it comes to septic tank safe toilet paper. What makes Cascades my top pick as the best toilet paper for septic tanks? The biggest reason is because this septic safe toilet paper is made out of 100% recycled material. And as such, all those little fibers that make up this toilet paper literally disintegrate back into their original little fibers once it hits the water.
During controlled testing of Cascades toilet paper, after allowing the toilet paper to sit undisturbed in water for 20 minutes, the toilet paper/water mix was stirred. What happened next was exactly what you want to see happen with toilet paper that you’re sending down to your septic tank. The toilet paper literally “…dissolved to almost nothing after a few stirs”.
Never heard of Cascades Toilet Paper? You can check it out right here. They offer a couple different types to choose from.
2. Scott 1000 Sheets Per RScott 1000 Sheets Per Roll Toilet Paperoll Toilet Paper
Scotts motto is, “Take comfort in the fact that along with softness and strength, ComfortPlus still breaks up fast and is easy on your pipes.”
Scott is another very popular brand of toilet paper among those of us who use a septic system. A quick search and you’ll easily find that Scott brand of toilet paper pops up again and again on many forums across the internet where septic safe toilet paper is the topic.
According to their website, “Scott 1000 breaks up four times faster than the average bathroom tissue for fewer clogs — no matter how they happen. Plus, Scott 1000 is always sewer-safe and septic-safe.”
What I learned through reading through many of these forums and other websites is that many septic tank owners are using Scott Brand toilet paper exclusively. Some have used only Scott toilet paper with their septic system for over 18 years and have never had a problem.
While others who have children at home and tend to use a fair amount of toilet paper have never even had to pump out their septic tank.
Scotts toilet paper is one that you’re most likely familiar with, but you can still check them out right here.
2. Quilted Northern Ultra Plush Toilet PQuilted Northern Ultra Plush Toilet Paperaper
Is Quilted Northern Safe For Septic Tanks?
When it comes to combining plush comfort with peace of mind that you’re using a toilet paper that’s safe for your septic system, Quilted Northern accomplishes both. Septic safe toilet paper doesn’t have to be rough and uncomfortable.
These guys have managed to keep comfort a priority while still maintaining a product that dissolves fast when wet.
According to their website, “Every roll of our toilet paper gives you three soft, cushiony and absorbent layers that deliver the ultimate comfort, while still offering a septic-safe solution.”
They also mention that their toilet paper is, “…00% biodegradable. This means that when our toilet paper is discarded, the substances that make up our toilet paper are able to be decomposed.”
This is great news for us homeowners looking for septic safe toilet paper options.
How To Test Which Toilet Paper Is Best For Your Septic Tank (DIY)
If you’re still not sure which toilet paper is best for your septic system, you can test it out yourself! This is especially useful for those of us who have a specific brand of toilet paper we like to use.
This basic test you can do yourself at home to compare brands and test out how your current toilet paper performs in the septic tank. Just follow these easy steps that the folks over at Roto Rooter came up with.
1. Choose 3-4 brands of toilet paper to test.
2. Place 4-5 squares of each into a large mason jar or other clear container.
3. Fill the first jar about ¾ full with water. Replace the lid and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
4. This will mimic what happens to toilet paper after it is flushed and travels through the pipes and into your septic tank.
5. Have a look! If the toilet paper has fallen apart into tiny pieces, you’re in luck–it’s a better choice for your septic system.
6. Repeat with the other jars.
This comparison will show you how quickly and thoroughly different types of toilet paper dissolve, and can help you decide which is best for your septic system. If different types pass the test, then it’s up to you to decide!
Factors To Consider When Buying Septic Safe Toilet Paper
Everything you send down your drain and your toilet ultimately has an effect on your septic system, including your toilet paper. Toilet paper that you flush makes its way to the septic system tank where it will stay until all the solids are eventually broken down by the the bacteria that lives in the septic tank. But there are some things you can do to help speed up that “breaking down” period. RotoRooter.com has some great suggestions when it comes to looking for toilet paper that works well in septic tanks. They are:
Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Biodegradable types of toilet paper require less water to break down than other types of toilet paper and will dissolve much faster. This makes it a good choice for use with a septic system. Unfortunately, biodegradable toilet paper is not known for being as soft or as thick as more luxurious alternatives, and can also tend to be more expensive.
Recycled Toilet Paper
Recycled toilet paper don’t contain near as many chemicals as standard toilet paper. Chemicals like bleach can disrupt the natural bacterial balance in your septic tank. Also, the tiny fibers that make up recycled paper are short and break apart easily, so they dissolve more quickly in water.
Tips For Making A Septic Tank Last Longer
The following tips for helping extend the life of your septic tank were taken from my post, How Long Does A Septic Tank Last? Be sure to check it out for more information.
Some things that affect how long a septic tanks lasts are completely out of our control. But there are some things we as homeowners can do to help prolong the life expectancy of our septic systems. Some of these things are:
Quality And Design
Location, soil condition and installation will all contribute to the lifespan of not just your septic tank, but your entire septic system. An overly wet location or one that’s prone to flooding will clog your leach field. Poor soil conditions, a high water table or surface water drainage into your leach field will also threaten the lifespan of your septic system. And even a poor septic tank installation can negatively affect the lifespan of your septic tank.
Septic Tank Material
As mentioned above, concrete, plastic and fiberglass tanks can last 40 plus years. Steel tanks can rust away sooner than you would like.
Septic Tank Workload
The overall workload on the septic tank and the leach field directly affects how long a septic tank lasts. Decreased use can increases the lifespan of the entire septic system as well as reduce the amount of maintenance required…which is also a big cost savings.
What Goes Into The Septic Tank
Flushing only water and waste and avoiding chemicals and non-biodegradable materials can also reduce the amount of waste build up inside your septic tank.
Septic Tank Pumping And Service
Routines the solids before they have the chance to build up and clog your septic system. Regular inspections during the pumping process can also extend the life of your septic tank because the professionals can catch problems while they’re still minor.
