Why You Should Ditch Flushable Wipes – And What to Use Instead

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| Created July 26, 2024 | Updated October 14, 2024

Everyone likes to feel shower-fresh after using the bathroom. In fact, the flushable wipe market hit $3 billion in 2022 and is projected to exceed $5 billion by 2031. Wipes come in varieties that cater to just about every desire, from “manly” options to lines with a bouquet of different scents to eco-friendly biodegradable choices. Wipe users claim they change the game when it comes to cleanliness and personal hygiene.

But let’s address the elephant in the room.

Are Flushable Wipes Really Flushable?

The short answer? No. It’s obvious when you stop to think about it: Wet wipes are, well, wet. If they dissolved easily in water, you’d open the package to find a pile of goo! Unlike toilet paper, which is specifically made to break down rapidly in water, many wipes are reinforced with polyester and plastic (or, in the case of biodegradable options, things like cotton or wood pulp). These fibers hold the wipes together far beyond the package. In fact, Consumer Reports tested “flushable” wipes to see if they lived up to their sewer- and septic-safe claims. Even after 10 minutes in a mixer, the wipes remained perfectly intact.

What does this mean for your plumbing? Nothing good! The bottom line is that flushable wipes will clog pipes. (And yes, that applies to baby wipes as well – to preserve your pipes, don’t flush wipes!) The damage can be far worse than just a stopped-up toilet, causing sewer backups and even flooding your home. And the effects on your community can be catastrophic. In our home state of Michigan, which recently became the seventh state to ban “flushable” language on wipes, wipes contributed to a 100-foot-long “fatberg” that clogged county sewers and cost $100,000 to clean up. Another Michigan county reported 474 wipe-related machinery clogs at local pump stations over a six-year span. These additional maintenance costs trickle down to you and your neighbors in the form of higher water and sewer bills. And you’re not safe if you have well water: Wipes build up in your septic tank, leading to more frequent pumping expenses.

The experts overwhelmingly agree: Plumbers do not recommend flushable wipes, and organizations worldwide urge consumers to find a less-destructive alternative. The key takeaway to protect your plumbing? Save flushing for the three P’s: pee, poo and (toilet) paper.

Flushable Wipes Harm the Environment – and Your Personal Ecosystem

Beyond damaging plumbing and infrastructure, wipes come with some serious drawbacks for both the planet and your posterior. Heavy rains can cause overflows at sewage treatment plants, sending flushed wipes into our rivers. From there, they make their way to the ocean, polluting waterways and harming marine life. Flushed wipes can also pose health risks to humans: A study in Scotland found fecal bacteria – some of it resistant to antibiotics – on wet wipes that had washed up on beaches. And if all that weren’t bad enough, as the wipes slowly degrade, they release harmful microplastic particles into the environment, which then end up in the human food chain.

So you may be wondering: Can’t I just toss the wipes instead of flushing them? While this will protect your plumbing (and your community’s wastewater treatment facilities), traditional wipes can take 100 years to break down, meaning they clog up landfills for up to a century. (Even biodegradable options can take around four months to break down.) Plus, the microplastic particles can still leach into our water supply due to runoff. What’s more, you’ll be stuck with a trash can full of used wipes in your bathroom, which could lead to unpleasant odors and germ spread.

And whether you flush or toss, wipes can be bad news for your bum. Many wipes are chock-full of fragrances and alcohol. These can cause burning or itching in your most sensitive areas, especially if you already have irritation from hemorrhoids or yeast infections. Even wipes labeled “hypoallergenic” or “for sensitive skin” often contain preservatives that can cause reactions. What’s more, wet wipes can throw your skin’s microbiome out of whack – especially if you don’t dry your skin off after using them – resulting in irritation and even infections.

These are some pretty dire consequences for a product that can be replaced so easily!

Alternatives to Flushable Wipes

If you just can’t give up wiping, wetting toilet paper is an easy way to wean yourself off wipes. There are even sprays, foams and gels available that claim to clean better than water alone. Since toilet paper actually is flushable, this is a better option for your pipes. But because toilet paper breaks down so easily when wet, there’s a good chance you’ll end up with a crumbly mess on your hands (literally). Plus, if you use a commercial product, you’re still stuck spending money again and again.

Bidets are hands down – and hands off – the best alternative to flushable wipes. They offer a mess-free, sanitary and eco-friendly way to get super-clean. You can even nix toilet paper completely if you spring for a model with a warm air dryer. Simply sit down, activate a wash and relax while the bidet provides a thorough water cleanse. (And if you opt for an electric bidet seat or integrated bidet toilet, you can tailor the wash to your ideal water temperature and pressure.) Bidets also offer a great way to gently clean, heal and soothe discomfort from hemorrhoids.

Bidets do come with a higher up-front price tag than wipes, but with no recurring costs and huge savings on toilet paper, they pay for themselves over time. And the best part? Bidets get you sparkling clean without any chemicals, fragrances or waste – and they won’t clog your pipes or wreak havoc on the environment.

Ready to make the switch to a greener, cleaner bathroom routine? Our bidet experts are here to help you find the perfect bidet for your needs:

Meghan Oliver

Meghan Oliver is a writer and content manager with Many Bidets. Her work has appeared in Nonprofit World magazine and on Psych Central, but she specializes in behind-the-scenes content for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Meghan is passionate about conservation, creatures of all kinds and the Oxford comma. When she's not writing, she's probably at the barn, on a hiking trail, in her native garden bothering the pollinators(,) or curled up with a book and a cat.