Does recycled toilet paper block drains?

A drain cover with brown leaves surrounding it

Here at Naked Sprout we love nothing more than digging into the why's and how's of toilet paper. From scrunching and folding dilemmas, to curiosity about coloured rolls, if you've got tissue questions, we've got tissue answers.

Today the spotlight is on toilet tissue of the recycled variety. We’ve already discussed what recycled toilet paper is made of in a previous post, so now we’re moving on to its final destination.

Does recycled toilet paper block drains?

A pull chain flush for a toilet

Can toilet paper block a drain?

It can, but it shouldn’t.

The first thing to be aware of when it comes to the possibility of toilet paper blocking drains, is that even the most dissolvable toilet paper will cause problems if you use too much of it. People who spool reams of toilet paper around their hand before wiping, we're looking at you! A few sheets should be perfectly fine. 

If overuse isn’t a problem, blocking shouldn’t be a problem either. Toilet paper is designed to dissolve quickly when it gets wet, made with fibres that unravel and break apart easily in water. 

If you’ve ever had a problem with your toilet paper not dissolving properly, it might be worth testing its disintegration yourself. A little mess-free experiment is to pop a couple of sheets of toilet paper into an empty jam jar with some water. Give it a good shake and see how it behaves. If it starts to break apart in seconds, you’re using a drain-friendly product. If it stubbornly stays intact, that’s where the trouble starts.

At Naked Sprout, all of our toilet rolls, whether they’re made from bamboo or recycled materials, go through rigorous testing at our factory to make sure they disintegrate as they should. Each batch of toilet paper is tested for wet strength and disintegration; our tissue can withstand pressure of 74N/m when it's dry, and 0N/m when it's wet.

This means you can flush with confidence, knowing that they’re designed to break down before they have a chance to cause any mischief in your pipes.

Close up of a person washing their hands

What is the best toilet paper to use for old pipes?

We often hear from customers who’ve had bad experiences with toilet paper in the past and want to double-check on our dissolvability before buying. It’s a valid concern; here in the UK, many homes have older pipes that are narrower or twistier than more modern fittings. And if you’re in a flat that's been converted from a larger house you might also have plumbing that’s been retrofitted in odd ways.

For these situations, our recycled rolls are our top recommendation. While both our bamboo and recycled toilet paper is tested to make sure it breaks down in line with norms for our industry, recycled has the edge on rapid disintegration. We think this is because the cardboard and kraft paper that we use to make recycled tissue has already been processed once before we get our hands on it! This makes the fibres weaker compared to virgin materials, so it breaks down more quickly.

So, if you’ve got sensitive pipes or a septic system that needs a little extra care, our recycled rolls are the way to go. They’re tough enough to handle the job, but gentle enough to keep even the fussiest plumbing happy.

Unbleached toilet paper rolls in a basket in a home bathroom

What toilet paper is best for not clogging in the UK?

Here in the UK, toilet paper comes in all shapes and sizes. From 1-ply to 5-ply, sugarcane to trees, quilted and scented options, the choices are endless. While all toilet paper should pass testing for disintegration, some products are better suited to sensitive plumbing than others.

If you know you’ve got a clog-prone system, plumbing experts recommend avoiding the thicker and quilted varieties of loo roll. Extra layers can add to a feeling of luxury and make the paper extra durable, but they can also make it harder to break down. 

We keep things simple. Our 2-ply, unbleached, unscented, unquilted, unwrapped recycled toilet tissue is as straightforward as you can get. Not only is it great for old drains and septic tanks, it's also a favourite with campers and those using macerator toilets. We’ve even had adventurous customers tell us they’ve buried their sheets in the woods while camping!

Of course, the golden rule is to check the refund policy of any brand you’re trying. Everyone’s plumbing is different, and if you find that a product isn’t working for you, you shouldn't have to go round the houses to get a refund.

At Naked Sprout, we’ve got you covered. If our soft toilet tissue isn't quite right for your pipes, or if you can’t get along with it for any other reason, just send us an email. We’ll sort you out with a refund straight away, with no drama and absolutely no fuss.

Water swirling down a plughole

Dissolvable toilet paper your drains will love

To sum up, recycled toilet paper shouldn’t block your drains. In fact, you may find it the best option for sensitive systems because its fibres break down easily.

Whether you’re dealing with narrow, old pipes, a septic tank, or a macerator toilet, the key is to choose a product that’s designed to dissolve quickly. Avoid thick, quilted varieties, stick with simpler options like our 2-ply recycled rolls, and you’ll keep things flowing nicely.

At Naked Sprout, we’re proud to offer toilet paper that’s kind to your plumbing, kind to the planet, and most importantly kind to you. And stay tuned for our next post, because we’ve got some exciting news about our recycled rolls that we're very excited to share. Until then, happy flushing!

Want to put our ultra-flushable, highly-loveable, planet friendly recycled rolls to the test? 

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