Updated October 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases; product links below may earn us a commission.
We don’t recommend flushing any wipes into a septic system, even ones labeled flushable. Wipes are built to stay strong when wet, so they break down far more slowly than toilet paper. In a 2019 Ryerson University study, none of the 23 products labeled flushable broke apart in a sewer test. The safest place for a used wipe is a lidded trash can. If you’re going to flush wipes anyway, choose one marketed as septic safe, flush one at a time, and keep them out of systems with pumps or filters.
Why wipes are a problem for septic tanks
Toilet paper is made to fall apart in water within seconds. Wipes are made to hold together while you use them, which is the opposite job. Your septic tank has no grinder or pump station to shred them. Anything that doesn’t break down sits in the scum or sludge layer, adds to how often you need pumping, and can snag on the outlet or clog the effluent filter.
The risk is higher if your system has a pump, an effluent filter or an aerator, such as a mound system or an aerobic treatment unit. Wipes wrap around impellers and float switches, and that usually means a service call.
What “flushable” means on the label
There’s a real disagreement here, and it’s worth knowing both sides. The wipes industry groups INDA and EDANA publish flushability guidelines, the fourth edition of which (called GD4) came out in 2018. Wipes that pass GD4’s tests for breaking apart and clearing pipes can be marketed as flushable, and the same code says baby wipes should not be labeled flushable at all.
Wastewater researchers are less convinced. The 2019 Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) study tested 101 single-use products against wastewater industry standards for how well they clear a home drain and fall apart. Of the 23 labeled flushable, not one fully broke apart. The EPA’s septic care guide tells homeowners to flush only human waste and toilet paper, and to never flush non-flushable wipes such as baby wipes.
Bottom line: “flushable” means a wipe met an industry standard. It does not mean it behaves like toilet paper in your tank.
If you use wipes: brands marketed as septic safe
If wipes are part of your routine and you’re going to flush them, these brands are marketed by their makers as flushable or septic safe. We have not lab-tested them, and their claims are the manufacturers’ own. Wipes not on a list like this, especially baby wipes, cleaning wipes and makeup remover wipes, should always go in the trash.
| Wipe | What the maker claims | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonelle GentlePlus Flushable Wipes | Flushable and septic safe; says it meets INDA flushability guidelines | Contains a light fragrance |
| Scott Flushable Wipes | “SafeFlush Technology,” sewer and septic safe | Fragrance-free and dye-free |
| Dude Wipes Flushable Wipes | Flushable, made from plant-based fibers | Larger sheet, so flush one at a time |
| Medline ReadyFlush Wipes | Flushable and dispersible cloth | Large, rinse-free cleansing cloth used in care settings |
| Tena UltraFlush Washcloths | Sewer and septic safe when used as directed | Big 7.5 x 12.6 inch cloth; tear in half before flushing |
| Medline NatureSoft Flushable Dry Wipes | Biodegradable, septic safe dry wipe | Dry, so you wet it yourself |
| Pampers Kandoo Flushable Wipes | Flushable kids’ wipes for potty training | Label says flush one or two at a time, in well-maintained systems only |
| Litewipes Flushable Wipes | Plant-based, biodegradable and flushable | Small travel packs |
| Swipes Lovin Feminine Wipes | Biodegradable, flushable and dispersible | Small sheets |
Products and formulas change, so check the current package for a “flushable” or “septic safe” claim before you buy.
How to lower the risk if you flush wipes
- Flush one wipe at a time, and flush toilet paper separately.
- Never flush baby wipes, cleaning or disinfecting wipes, makeup wipes or paper towels. These are not designed to break down at all.
- Tear large cloths in half before flushing.
- Tell your pumping company you use flushable wipes and ask them to look for buildup and check the effluent filter at each pumping.
- Keep up with pumping. The EPA recommends pumping every 3 to 5 years for most homes; heavy wipe users may want to stay at the short end. See how often to pump a septic tank.
- If you notice slow drains or gurgling, stop flushing wipes and have the system checked. Here are the signs your septic tank is full.
Better alternatives to flushing wipes
You can get the clean of a wipe without the septic risk:
- A small lidded bin next to the toilet for used wipes. It removes the risk entirely.
- A bidet attachment for the toilet seat. It uses water instead of wipes, and only toilet paper goes down the drain.
- Toilet paper dampened with water or a foaming cleanser applied to the paper, which still breaks down like ordinary toilet paper.
- Quick-dissolving toilet paper. See our picks for the best toilet paper for septic systems.
Think wipes are clogging your system?
Slow drains, backups or an alarm going off after wipes were flushed usually need a septic company. Talk to a local pro.
Calls are answered by a pay-per-call partner network that connects you with a local septic company. Calling is free; we may be paid for referrals.
Other things to keep out of a septic toilet
The EPA’s rule of thumb is to flush only human waste and toilet paper. Along with wipes, keep these out:
- Diapers, tampons, pads and condoms
- Paper towels, tissues, cotton balls and swabs
- Dental floss and hair
- Cooking grease, oil and coffee grounds
- Cat litter
- Medicines and household chemicals
For what is safe to use, see our list of septic-safe products.
Quick answers
Are flushable wipes really septic safe?
Some are labeled that way, but independent testing hasn’t backed the claim up. They break down much more slowly than toilet paper, so the trash is the safer choice.
Can I flush baby wipes with a septic system?
No. Baby wipes are not designed to be flushed. The EPA lists them among things you should never flush, and the industry’s own code says they should not be labeled flushable.
Do septic tank treatments dissolve wipes?
There’s no good evidence that any additive dissolves wipes. Once wipes are in the tank, pumping is what removes them. Read do septic tanks need additives? for more.
Are dry flushable wipes better than wet ones?
We haven’t seen independent testing showing dry wipes break down like toilet paper, so the same advice applies: one at a time, or in the trash.
Sources
- U.S. EPA, How to care for your septic system (checked October 2026)
- Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), What not to flush (2019)
- Nonwovens Industry, INDA president discusses updated flushability guidelines (2018)