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The world of paper products can be a bit confusing – terms like “tissue,” “tissue paper,” and “facial tissue” are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. However, when it comes to what’s safe for your plumbing, the distinction is critical.
Specifically, facial tissues (the kind you use for a runny nose or to remove makeup) are manufactured very differently from toilet paper.
Facial tissues are engineered for absorbency and strength, often designed to hold up even when wet. Unlike toilet paper, which is made to disintegrate quickly in water, facial tissues maintain their integrity. This resilience is precisely why they are considered non-flushable and can cause significant harm to your pipes and septic system.
According to general guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only human waste and toilet paper should ever be flushed. The EPA warns that other items, including all types of tissues aside from toilet paper (this specifically includes facial tissues, paper towels, and even so-called ‘flushable’ wipes, which can also cause problems), can lead to serious plumbing issues and potentially damage your entire sewer system.
The habit of flushing facial tissues, even occasionally, can contribute to clogs and blockages deep within your plumbing. These blockages aren’t just a minor inconvenience; they can escalate into costly repairs and, in some situations, lead to environmental concerns if they cause or worsen sewer overflows.
So, what’s the best way to deal with used facial tissues?
Simply toss them in the trash can. Adopting this small habit is essential to prevent clogs, protect your plumbing, and ensure your sewage system continues to work effectively. If you do find yourself with a stubborn clog from these or other non-flushable items, you might need professional toilet repair services.
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What You Can & Can’t Flush Down the Toilet
It’s easy to think that all paper products can be flushed down the toilet, but that’s a common mistake. Here’s a quick look at different paper products and whether they are safe to flush:
| Product | Material Properties | Flushable? |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet Paper | Designed to disintegrate quickly in water. | Yes |
| Facial Tissues | Designed to retain shape and absorb fluids; has wet strength. | No |
| Paper Towels | Strong and absorbent; does not break down easily. | No |
| Wet Wipes | Often contain synthetic fibers; do not disintegrate well. | No |
| “Flushable” Wipes | May disintegrate somewhat, but often not as quickly as TP. | Maybe (use with caution) |
The main difference between these products comes down to their material and design. Toilet paper is uniquely made to disintegrate rapidly. If you compare the wet strength of toilet paper and facial tissues, you’ll see that toilet paper falls apart, while facial tissues maintain their structure, which is exactly what causes blockages in your pipes.
- Toilet paper: This is specifically designed to break down quickly and easily in water, making it the only paper product truly safe to flush. Manufacturers generally design and test toilet paper to ensure it disintegrates properly.
- Facial tissues: These are made to be strong, especially when wet, so they don’t dissolve easily in water. Flushing facial tissues can lead to clogs because they hold their shape.
- Paper towels and wet wipes: Just like facial tissues, paper towels and most wet wipes are also non-flushable. They are designed for strength and absorbency and can cause significant plumbing problems if flushed.
- “Flushable” wipes: You might see some wipes labeled as “flushable.” However, it’s important to be very careful with these. Many of these wipes do not break down as quickly or completely as toilet paper and can still contribute to clogs. Always check the packaging and follow any guidelines, but it’s often safer to dispose of them in the trash.
What Happens When You Flush Tissues and Other Non-Flushable Items
When you flush things that aren’t meant for the toilet, you can face some unpleasant and expensive outcomes. Here’s what can happen:
Clogs and Blockages in Your Pipes
Flushing facial tissues is a common cause of clogs in your home’s pipes. Because they don’t break down, tissues can linger in your plumbing system and clump together with other non-flushable items like paper towels or wet wipes, creating severe blockages. If a clog does occur, sometimes a simple tool like a plunger can help remove it, but for more serious blockages, you may need a professional drain cleaning.
Costly Plumbing Repairs
These blockages from non-flushable items can turn into expensive plumbing issues. If clogs caused by flushing facial tissues aren’t addressed quickly, they can lead to more serious and costly problems for your plumbing system.
Sewage Backups and Overflows
Serious clogs and blockages don’t just stop water from draining; they can also lead to sewage backups. This means wastewater could come back up through your drains and toilets, causing significant damage to your home and creating health hazards. These backups can also damage plumbing equipment. If you experience a sewage backup, you may need an emergency plumber.
Septic System Problems
If your home uses a septic system, flushing facial tissues can be particularly problematic. Improper disposal of tissues contributes to the buildup of solids in your septic tank. Because tissues don’t break down easily, they can cause septic tank systems to fill up faster than normal. This can lead to backups, system failure, and the need for more frequent pumping. Regular septic tank maintenance is crucial, especially if non-flushable items have been accidentally flushed.
Why Certain Tissues Can’t Be Flushed
The fundamental reason you can flush toilet paper but not facial tissues lies in their design. Toilet paper is manufactured with short fibers and is specifically engineered to dissolve quickly once it’s exposed to water in your toilet bowl and pipes.
Facial tissues, on the other hand, are designed for absorbency and strength, especially when they get wet (like when you blow your nose). They often contain additives, such as wet-strength resins (which can be synthetic polymers), that help them hold together. These additives make them non-flushable. While standard facial tissues are primarily cellulose pulp, and the main issue is physical blockage rather than toxins, these binding agents prevent them from breaking apart easily.
Because they don’t break down readily, facial tissues are not easily processed by municipal water treatment plants. They can take days or even weeks to start breaking down after being flushed, contributing to screenings and sludge that treatment plants must then manage. Remember, only toilet paper is truly designed to break apart safely in pipes and sewers.
Protect Your Plumbing Today
Protecting your plumbing and the environment can be as simple as making smart choices about what goes down the toilet.
- Dispose of tissues correctly: Always throw facial tissues, paper towels, and wipes (even “flushable” ones, to be safe) in a trash can.
- Choose sustainable options: Using products like recycled toilet paper can help reduce waste.
- Educate your household: Make sure everyone in your home knows that only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed.
If you’re dealing with stubborn clogs or other plumbing problems, sometimes a DIY fix isn’t enough. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts. For all your residential plumbing needs, we’re here to help you keep your system running smoothly. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it bad to flush facial tissues down the toilet?
Flushing facial tissues is a bad idea because they are designed with materials, including wet-strength resins, that prevent them from breaking down easily in water. Unlike toilet paper, tissues retain their shape and can cause clogs and blockages in your plumbing system.
What can happen if I flush a tissue by mistake?
If you flush a tissue, it can contribute to clogs in your pipes because it doesn’t dissolve quickly like toilet paper. Over time, flushed tissues can clump together with other non-flushable items, leading to severe blockages, messy sewage backups, and costly plumbing repairs.
What’s the main difference between facial tissues and toilet paper for flushing?
The main difference lies in their design and material properties; toilet paper is made with short fibers specifically to disintegrate quickly in water. Facial tissues are made for strength and absorbency, often containing additives, so they don’t break down easily and can clog pipes.
Are “flushable” wipes really okay to flush?
Many wipes labeled as “flushable” don’t break down as quickly or completely as toilet paper and can still contribute to clogs in plumbing systems. It is safer to dispose of all wipes, including those marked “flushable,” in the trash can.
What other items should never be flushed?
Besides facial tissues, you should never flush items like paper towels, wet wipes (even “flushable” ones), cotton swabs, dental floss, or feminine hygiene products. Only human waste and toilet paper are safe to flush down the toilet.
How should I dispose of facial tissues correctly?
The correct way to dispose of used facial tissues is to simply toss them into a trash can. This small habit is essential for preventing clogs and keeping your home’s plumbing and the municipal sewage system working well.
Can flushing tissues damage my septic system?
Yes, flushing facial tissues can be particularly harmful to septic systems as they do not break down easily and contribute to the buildup of solids in the septic tank. This can cause the tank to fill up faster, leading to backups, system failure, and the need for more frequent pumping; understanding common septic tank problems can help you avoid them.
Why do tissues maintain their strength in water?
Facial tissues maintain their strength in water because they are often made with additives, such as wet-strength resins. These agents help tissues hold together when wet, which is great for blowing your nose but bad for plumbing as it prevents them from dissolving.