# Are there any flushable wipes that actually are flushable **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248 "2017-09-25T02:42:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/1 "2017-09-25T02:42:36Z")
I know these generally don’t dissolve in water the way toilet paper does and it causes septic issues. Does anyone make a flushable wipe that is actually flushable? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/2 "2017-09-25T03:03:50Z")
I’m not sure if anyone does make such a wipe. I would suggest skipping that whole route and getting a [bidet seat](https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Home-Improvement-Bidet-Seats/zgbs/hi/6810566011) instead. It’s much more sanitary. It’s nice to not feel like you need to take a shower after every dump 'n wipe. Speaking in favor of bidet seats over toilet-paper-only another Doper has said (I paraphrase): “If you had shit smeared on any other part of your body would you be content to just use tissue paper to wipe it off?” I agree and don’t feel that a Wet Wipe is all that much better than dry paper—even if it is actually flushable. I still find it hard to believe that so many Americans are fine with just using toilet paper. Ick. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/3 "2017-09-25T04:02:23Z")
So with a bidet, instead of a dirty butthole, now you have a wet (and still slightly dirty) butthole. I presume your suggested solution is to apply more toilet paper, _a substance that disintegrates when moistened._ See why I don’t plan to subscribe to your newsletter? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/4 "2017-09-25T04:22:20Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > I still find it hard to believe that so many Americans are fine with just using toilet paper. Well some of us are fortunate enough to be clean poopers. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/5 "2017-09-25T10:51:10Z")
🎶 _Ah, bidets are here again. The thighs above are clean again._ ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/6 "2017-09-25T11:34:15Z")
I’ve been using and flushing the wet toilet paper made by all the major toilet paper companies for a good decade. I don’t have a septic, though. They usually say something like "don’t flush more than 1 at a time."I usually flush everything else first. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/7 "2017-09-25T11:51:50Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I know these generally don’t dissolve in water the way toilet paper does and it causes septic issues. > > Does anyone make a flushable wipe that is actually flushable? In my experience working as an engineer in the field of wastewater collection and treatment (including working for a public utility), the answer is no. What I have seen are major blockages in public sewers due to supposedly “flushable” wipes, and these blockages have greatly increased in frequency in recent years (especially in pumps and pumping stations) as the use of wet wipes has increased. I have a septic system at my house, and personally use TP, followed by a supposedly “flushable” wipe. After use, I wrap the wet wipe in a tissue and dispose of it in the trash. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/8 "2017-09-25T12:08:17Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > I’ve been using and flushing the wet toilet paper made by all the major toilet paper companies for a good decade. I don’t have a septic, though. They usually say something like "don’t flush more than 1 at a time."I usually flush everything else first. “Wet toilet paper” breaks apart once it gets wet. Wet wipes do not. And the “they” who says you can flush them (i.e. the manufacturers) is not the same “they” that has to deal with them once you flush them. Bottom line: sanitary sewers and collection systems are designed to handle wastewater, human waste, and toilet paper, and that’s pretty much it. They are NOT designed to handle trash. Supposedly “flushable” wipes fall into the “trash” category (as does feminine hygiene products, diapers, dental floss, Q-tips, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/9 "2017-09-25T14:27:47Z")
No. When I worked in rental property management, a standard clause in our leases was that tampons, sanitary napkins and any type of wipes were not to be flushed. If they were, the tenant was responsible for repairs. Our office plumping totally backed up the day of our annual party, and the emergency plumber we called found over one hundred baby wipes in the pipe. The tenant who thought they were flushable had to pay the plumbing bill; we had to pay the carpet cleaner. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/10 "2017-09-25T14:40:24Z")
Years a go I ran a small business out of a converted 1940s construction house. With all the fine high capacity plumbing you’d expect. We were open 24/7 and all told had about 30 women working for us. We had the appropriate bathroom signs about not flushing tampons, etc., and appropriate containers to use instead. Naturally that didn’t actually deter too many of the ladies from flushing their no-longer sanitary sanitary products. So about every 6 months we had to have the plumber come out. As he put it, “Time to exterminate all the blind mice. Again.” 😃 You’d think the ladies would learn since when it happened all the toilets were out of service for at least a couple hours and if it happened late enough at night we let it ride until morning. But nooo. Learning was not part of the program for enough of them. That plumber loved us. At least at billing time. Not so much when the call came in at odd hours or weekends. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/11 "2017-09-25T14:46:21Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > and the emergency plumber we called found over one hundred baby wipes in the pipe. Who counted them? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/12 "2017-09-25T15:56:26Z")
> [@Mr\_Downtown](#): > > So with a bidet, instead of a dirty butthole, now you have a wet (and still slightly dirty) butthole. I presume your suggested solution is to apply more toilet paper, _a substance that disintegrates when moistened._ > > See why I don’t plan to subscribe to your newsletter? I have a sprayer bidet and, for me at least, they work phenomenally well and save a shitload of toilet paper. It took me nearly 40 years to discover them, but I feel much cleaner and less wasteful using them. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/13 "2017-09-25T16:05:03Z")
When I was last at the store, I noticed that Cottonelle had placed on their box in large print something to the effect of “Now More Dissolvable in Water”, but I’m skeptical. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/14 "2017-09-25T16:05:35Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > No. When I worked in rental property management, a standard clause in our leases was that tampons, sanitary napkins and any type of wipes were not to be flushed. If they were, the tenant was responsible for repairs. > > Our office plumping totally backed up the day of our annual party, and the emergency plumber we called found over one hundred baby wipes in the pipe. The tenant who thought they were flushable had to pay the plumbing bill; we had to pay the carpet cleaner. I believe that there is a distinction between baby wipes, which apparently are not dissolvable, and those sold next to the toilet paper on the t.p. aisle like Cottonelle. I may be wrong, note, not attached to said notion… ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/15 "2017-09-25T16:45:34Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I have a sprayer bidet and, for me at least, they work phenomenally well and save a shitload of toilet paper. It took me nearly 40 years to discover them, but I feel much cleaner and less wasteful using them. Yes. Exactly right. Sorry, I guess I’m a bit evangelical about this. But just like with God… it’s for your own good!!!;)😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/16 "2017-09-25T16:53:34Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I believe that there is a distinction between baby wipes, which apparently are not dissolvable, and those sold next to the toilet paper on the t.p. aisle like Cottonelle. I may be wrong, note, not attached to said notion… Once a year we have our sewer line cleared out because of roots. The sewer cleaner already knows he’s going to get our business next year. Nevertheless he insists on warning us repeatedly (and he even speaks in all caps) “THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FLUSHABLE WIPE.” ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/17 "2017-09-25T17:10:54Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Who counted them? Speaking as someone who has helped a landlord deal with such issues, when you have the unpleasant task of clearing out a sewer clog distracting yourself by tallying up the strange objects recovered is one way of taking your mind off just how shitty the job actually is. Because it ain’t pristine tampons and wipes you’ll be pulling out of the pipes. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/18 "2017-09-25T17:30:08Z")
I counted them. 117, to be exact. They were baby wipes, but the container said flushable. HA! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/19 "2017-09-25T18:05:31Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > I still find it hard to believe that so many Americans are fine with just using toilet paper. Why? It’s not like you’re going to install a bidet if you’ve never used one. And if you don’t have one, and you live in the U.S., when do you ever get a chance to use one? I’ve never even encountered them in hotels during the couple of times I’ve traveled in Europe. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248/20 "2017-09-25T18:51:58Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Why? It’s not like you’re going to install a bidet if you’ve never used one. And if you don’t have one, and you live in the U.S., when do you ever get a chance to use one? I’ve never even encountered them in hotels during the couple of times I’ve traveled in Europe. It’s not a European style bidet, which is a separate fixture. You can buy one of these and have it installed (it replaces your toilet seat) at home. It consists of a wand that comes out and squirts warm water at your bunghole; you can vary the strength and temperature of the water. It may not get everything, but it gets enough so that one swipe with toilet paper easily finishes the job while it also absorbs the water. > [@Mr\_Downtown](#): > > So with a bidet, instead of a dirty butthole, now you have a wet (and still slightly dirty) butthole. I presume your suggested solution is to apply more toilet paper, _a substance that disintegrates when moistened._ See above. I’m guessing you’ve never actually tried one of these\*. Toilet paper will absorb the few drops of water remaining, as well as catch any poop that didn’t get washed away, just fine _without disintegrating_ until it is dropped into the bowl. \*If any of you are interested in trying one of these, check out your local plumbing fixtures showplace. Some of them have these types of bidets installed in their public restrooms. The most popular brand, I believe, is Washlet by Toto Toilets, a Japanese company. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-flushable-wipes-that-actually-are-flushable/797248.md?page=2)