Toilet paper is an enormous global industry, with numerous manufacturers that have become household names. This means customers have a wide range of different options to choose from, in a variety of styles.
However, if you have a septic system, you will be restricted in which toilet paper you can use. The paper needs to dissolve quickly to prevent it from causing issues in your tank, and it might not be clear which products are suitable.
To help you find the best toilet paper for septic systems, we have reviewed seven of the most popular options that are currently available. We chose these toilet papers for how comfortable and hygienic they are to use, whether they are bleach-free, and how eco-friendly their production is.
- Cushioned for comfort
- Ripple effect for more effective cleaning
- Made from plant fibers
- Mega roll size
- Sustainably sourced
- Cushioned
- Sustainably sourced
- Dissolves 4 times faster than average
- Bulk pack of 32 rolls
- Scented center tube
- 2-ply
- Bulk pack of 48 rolls
- Dissolves faster
- Individually wrapped
- Ideal for boats & camping
- Recycled paper
- Bleach & fragrance-free
- No chemicals or dyes
- Made from bamboo
- Great for RVs, boats & campsites
- Chemical-free
The Best Septic-Safe Toilet Papers of 2023
A septic tank restricts which toilet paper you can use but there will still be a wide range of different products to choose from. We have reviewed seven of the best toilet papers for septic tanks, chosen for their comfort and thickness, how the paper is sourced, and whether or not they contain any bleach.
Cottonelle Ultra Comfort Care Toilet Paper
Best Ultra Soft Septic-Safe Toilet Paper
Cotonelle Ultra Comfort is a 2-ply toilet paper that utilizes cushioned ripples to make it feel softer to use. In effect, this makes the paper about 3 times thicker and twice as absorbent compared to some of the other leading toilet paper brands.
It is made of fibers taken from plants rather than paper from trees, so it is very sustainable. Like all septic-safe toilet paper, it is designed to degrade quickly once inside your tank as the many fibers break apart.
These toilet rolls are very eco-friendly and kind to your tank, yet offer comfort and cleanliness that can compete with even non-dissolvable toilet paper.
Pros
- Cushioned for extra comfort
- Ripple texture cleans more effectively
- 2-ply sheets
- Made from plant fibers
Cons
- Fibers might make the surface feel rough
Product Specs
| Weight | 0.16 ounces per roll |
| Number of rolls | 24 mega rolls |
| Number of layers | 2 |
| Recycled | No |
| Material | Plant fiber |
| Price | $$ |
Our Ratings
Amazon Brand Presto
Best 2-Ply Toilet Paper Septic-Safe Toilet Paper
Amazon’s Presto paper is sourced from sustainable forests, so it doesn’t contribute to deforestation. These oversized mega rolls contain far more paper, so 24 rolls should be the equivalent of about 96 standard toilet rolls.
They are also available in smaller sizes if you don’t have a large enough holder, and the 2-ply sheets are cushioned for extra comfort. They have been specially designed and tested to leave behind less lint when you wipe and they are guaranteed septic-safe, so they won’t clog your tank or upset the balance inside it.
Another obvious benefit of this toilet paper is its price. Considering how long one pack can last, it is considerably cheaper than most of its competitors.
Pros
- Mega roll size
- 2-ply
- Sustainably sourced
- Cushioned
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- The paper can break apart during use
- Not as cushioned as advertised
Product Specs
| Weight | 7.38 pounds |
| Number of rolls | 24 mega rolls |
| Number of layers | 2 |
| Recycled | No |
| Material source | Sustainable forests |
| Price | $ |
Our Ratings
Scott Rapid Dissolving Toilet Paper
Best Rapid-Dissolving Septic-Safe Toilet Paper
If you want toilet paper that dissolves quickly, this Scott tissue is an excellent choice. The 1-ply paper breaks down an estimated 4 times faster than standard toilet tissue, so you should never need to worry about it clogging your septic tank.
As the paper dissolves so rapidly, it is also a great option for use in an RV or a boat. The paper is sourced from sustainably managed forests, so your purchase will have a minimal environmental impact.
This paper is sold in a pack of 32 rolls for a total of 32,000 sheets. Depending on the size of your household, each pack should last you several months.
Pros
- Sustainably sourced
- Dissolves 4 times faster than standard paper
- Sold in a pack of 32 rolls
- Safe for septic tanks and sewers
Cons
- Only 1-ply
- Less comfortable than other cushioned brands
- Thin sheets
Product Specs
| Weight | 13.7 pounds |
| Number of rolls | 32 |
| Number of layers | 1 |
| Recycled | No |
| Material source | Sustainable forests |
| Price | $$ |
Our Ratings
Angel Soft Lavender Scented Toilet Paper
Best Septic-Safe Scented Toilet Paper
We normally advise against putting scented toilet paper into a septic tank but this Angel Soft tissue is an exception. This is because it isn’t the paper that is scented but the center roll, which means this product is sewer and septic tank safe.
It dissolves quickly and none of the chemicals that give the tube its scent will come into contact with your tank. The scent has been consumer tested and it is non-irritable.
Angel Soft is also certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, as the wood it uses is sourced from sustainable forests. This is a 2-ply paper and is sold in bulk packs of 48 double rolls.
Pros
- Scented center tube
- Sustainably sourced
- Sewer and septic-safe
- Bulk pack of 48 double rolls
- 2-ply
Cons
- Weak when wet
- The scent might be too strong for some
Product Specs
| Weight | 10.3 pounds |
| Number of rolls | 48 |
| Number of layers | 2 |
| Recycled | No |
| Material source | Sustainable forests |
| Price | $$ |
Our Ratings
Firebelly Outfitters RV Toilet Paper
Best Septic-Safe Toilet Paper for RVs
Motorhomes, travel trailers, and folding camping trailers provide very popular ways to see the world, with more than 355,000 sold each year in the United States (1). If you own an RV, it is important to choose a toilet roll that will be suitable for the septic tank to keep it clog-free.
This Firebelly toilet roll is 2-ply and is designed to dissolve ultra-fast when it hits your septic tank. This paper doesn’t contain parabens or dyes and is also 100% safe for boats and camping toilets.
Each roll is individually wrapped to keep it fresh and to prevent any moisture from penetrating and forming mold. This is an 8-pack with 500 sheets per roll, so it is ideal for taking on trips.
Pros
- Dissolves very quickly
- Individually wrapped
- 2-ply
- Also suitable for boats and camping
Cons
- Expensive
- Thin paper
Product Specs
| Weight | 2.27 pounds |
| Number of rolls | 8 |
| Number of layers | 2 |
| Recycled | No |
| Material source | Sustainable forests |
| Price | $$ |
Our Ratings
Seventh Generation White Toilet Paper
Best Recycled Septic-Safe Toilet Paper
This Seventh Generation toilet paper is made using 100% recycled material with at least 50% post-consumer recycled paper, so it is very eco-friendly. It is ideal for slow-flow toilets such as those used in RVs and boats.
It is a 2-ply tissue and is designed to be soft and strong. Its white appearance is achieved without any chemicals or bleach, and it contains no dyes or fragrances.
The packaging is all recyclable, so it is very eco-friendly. Seventh Generation claims that “if every household in the U.S. replaced one 24-pack of 240-sheet virgin fiber toilet paper with this product, we could help save over 4,900,000 trees.”
Pros
- Recycled paper
- Bleach and fragrance-free
- Ideal for boats and campers
- Contains no chemicals or dyes
- Dissolves quickly
Cons
- Expensive
- Rough surface
- Not very strong
Product Specs
| Weight | 6.6 pounds |
| Number of rolls | 24 |
| Number of layers | 2 |
| Recycled | Yes |
| Material source | Post-consumer recycled paper |
| Price | $$$ |
Our Ratings
Caboo Tree-Free Bamboo Toilet Paper
Best Septic-Safe Bamboo Toilet Paper
This Caboo paper is tree-free and made from bamboo. A tree can take 30 years to mature, whereas bamboo grows in mere months, providing a much faster turnaround. This paper is 100% biodegradable and septic-safe.
It isn’t scented and is also BPA-free, paraben-free, chlorine-free, and lint-free. Caboo has also joined the One Percent for the Planet movement, a non-profit organization that encourages and supports sustainability worldwide.
This is an ideal choice for RVs, boats, campsites, and any other off-grid toilet as it breaks down into tiny fibers, preventing clogs in your septic tank.
Pros
- Sustainable production
- Tree-free
- Made from bamboo
- Great for RVs, boats, and campers
- Chemical-free
Cons
- Expensive
- Rough texture
Product Specs
| Weight | 2.78 pounds |
| Number of rolls | 24 |
| Number of layers | 2 |
| Recycled | No |
| Material source | Bamboo |
| Price | $$$ |
Our Ratings
| Product | Best | Weight | No. of rolls | No. of layers | Recycled | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonelle Ultra Comfort Care Toilet Paper | Ultra Soft | 0.16 oz | 24 | 2 | No | Plant fiber |
| Amazon Brand Presto | 2-Ply | 7.38 lbs | 24 | 2 | No | Sustainable forests |
| Scott Rapid Dissolving Toilet Paper | Rapid-Dissolving | 13.7 lbs | 32 | 1 | No | Sustainable forests |
| Angel Soft Lavender Scented Toilet Paper | Scented | 10.3 lbs | 48 | 2 | No | Sustainable forests |
| Firebelly Outfitters RV Toilet Paper | RVs | 2.27 lbs | 8 | 2 | No | Sustainable forests |
| Seventh Generation White Toilet Paper | Recycled | 6.6 lbs | 24 | 2 | Yes | Post-consumer recycled paper |
| Caboo Tree-Free Bamboo Toilet Paper | Bamboo | 2.78 lbs | 24 | 2 | No | Bamboo |
What Makes a Toilet Paper Septic-Safe?
Toilet paper needs to dissolve quickly in your septic tank to prevent issues with how your plumbing functions. Biodegradable toilet tissue is designed to break down rapidly, including in septic tanks. The bonds in the paper are looser and will break apart faster. The paper is also free from non-dissolvable ingredients that could sit in your tank and clog it up.
Ideally, septic-safe paper should be made of recycled paper. This won’t speed up how quickly it breaks down, but it will help to maintain the right balance of microbes inside your septic tank, feeding on the waste matter as a source of energy.
How To Choose The Best Septic-Safe Toilet Paper
If you have a septic tank, you will need to be careful when choosing your toilet paper to protect the system. Here are a few things you should keep in mind to help you choose the best toilet paper for septic systems:
Comfort and Thickness
As anyone who has ever used low-quality, abrasive toilet paper will know, comfort is an important part of choosing the right paper. This will be a balancing act as you need to find toilet paper that is comfortable but still dissolvable.
Avoid thick 3-ply or 4-ply toilet paper as it has a tendency to sink to the bottom of your tank and accumulate over time. It won’t dissolve as septic-safe paper does. Try to stick to 1-ply or 2-ply septic-safe toilet paper.
Bleach-Free
A septic tank contains a carefully balanced mix of microbes that break down the waste material that enters the tank. Bleach can upset this balance, which is why it is important to choose bleach-free toilet paper. This will ensure your septic tank will continue to break down waste material effectively.
Non-Tree Paper
Although wood is a renewable material, deforestation is one of the most significant environmental issues facing the world today. On average, a pine tree can provide about 1,500 toilet rolls. With an estimated 84 million toilet rolls produced around the world daily (2), this means about 56,000 trees are cut down each day purely for toilet roll production.
This has led to an increasing number of people seeking out alternatives to traditional toilet paper. Grass and bamboo are excellent substitutes and mean it is possible to make high-quality toilet paper without cutting down trees.
Recycled Paper
Recycled toilet paper won’t break down any quicker than non-recycled paper but it doesn’t contain bleach, so it will be kinder to your septic tank. Using recycled paper will also help reduce the number of trees that are cut down to be used as toilet paper material.
Septic Safe Toilet Paper FAQs
What Is Wet Strength?
Wet strength is a measurement of how well the paper will stay together when it is wet. The longer it takes to tear when wet, the better its wet strength is, which is very important for toilet paper.
Can You Use 2-Ply Toilet Paper With a Septic Tank?
It should be safe to use 2-ply toilet paper with a septic tank. Most septic-safe toilet paper is either 1-ply or 2-ply, with some 3-ply paper available. You will need to make sure the paper isn’t too thick as thicker paper usually takes longer to break down. It is also more important that your paper is free from chemicals such as bleach, as these can upset the balance of the microbes in your tank.
Are Flushable Wipes Suitable for Septic Tanks?
Even if they are labeled “septic-safe”, you should try to avoid using flushable wipes if you have a septic tank. They won’t dissolve in the same way as septic-safe toilet paper and can end up sitting on the bottom of the tank, with new layers being added each time you flush and eventually causing a blockage.
Is All Toilet Paper Septic Safe?
The majority of modern toilet papers are made with septic tanks in mind, so they can usually be considered septic-safe. However, it is worth looking for products that are specifically labeled as septic-safe as this will reduce the chances of clogs or blockages in your septic system.
There are a few attributes you should look for on a toilet paper’s packaging to ensure it is safe to use. These include being biodegradable, containing fewer dyes, and being unscented. The more natural a toilet paper’s ingredients are, the kinder it will be to your tank.
Can You Use Too Much Toilet Paper for Septic Tanks?
The majority of toilet paper products will be safe to use in your septic system but it is possible to use too much. Using an excessive amount of toilet paper can cause clogs and blockages in your septic tank, leading to backed-up sewage and other major plumbing issues.
To minimize these risks, you should also look for brands of toilet paper that are labeled as “septic-safe”. The packaging of these products will indicate that they contain fewer dyes and fragrances and are specifically designed not to cause clogs or blockages in septic systems.
How Do You Prevent Toilet Paper from Clogging Your Septic Tank?
To avoid clogging your septic tank with toilet paper, look for products marked as “septic-safe”. The packaging of this toilet paper usually mentions that they contain fewer dyes and fragrances and are designed to break down easily in the septic system.
You should also be mindful of how much toilet paper you use per flush to ensure that your tank doesn’t become overloaded. Try to use 1 or 2-ply paper instead of 3 or 4-ply, or any other paper that is unnecessarily thick.
Can You Use Charmin Toilet Paper with a Septic Tank?
Charmin is one of the world’s leading toilet paper brands and it is safe to use with a septic tank. Its special septic-safe formula means the paper breaks down quickly in the tank, making it less likely to cause clogs or backups.
Charmin contains fewer dyes and fragrances than the average brand, so it shouldn’t upset the balance of your septic tank. Whichever brand you choose, you should always look for products labeled as “septic-safe” if you want to buy them with confidence.
What Type of Toilet Paper is Best for Septic Tanks?
One-ply and two-ply toilet paper are the best options for septic tanks because they will break down easily in the tank. As septic systems rely on microorganisms to break down solid waste, thicker toilet paper might last too long and lead to paper accumulating in the tank.
Also, one-ply or two-ply paper is less likely to contain dyes or fragrances, which can eventually find their way into the water table after being flushed out of your system. For the best results, always look for products labeled as “septic-safe” when shopping for toilet paper.
