Problem with toilet paper? Toilet Paper Poll

[Jamie Love]

Has anyone else noticed that some toilet paper can cause plugging and poor flushing performance from even the top models. :confused:

In my many years of toilet repair and installation I have noticed that the thicker cotton like material i.e. Charmin just doesn't compress as much as the other brands of toilet paper causing blockage in the bowl and trap way. :mad:

Maybe Charmin should change their slogan to "Can't squeeze the Charmin" :)

interseted to hear what y'all think.

-J
Good Housekeeping Institute report on toilets (http://www.terrylove.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21198)

[jimbo]

Well, I plead guilty to a tendency to use too much paper; and I definitely notice that there is less trouble with the cheap stuff from Costco than with the 'name' brand' wife gets at the grocery.

[Snowman]

I love those 400 sheet double rolls sold by Sam's Club with the name "Member's Mark". Sometimes I think I'm the only person in the house who knows how to put on a new roll of TP. :D

Anyway, that stuff is soft and strong. Plus, at 400 sheets per roll, it lasts a long time. I put lots of extra "wads" in my new Dalton this morning, (first time for this particular type use) :eek: and buddy everything went down in a "flash"!!!
see ya, Tom

[Terry]

http://magazines.ivillage.com/goodhousekeeping/consumer/beauty/articles/0,,284522_290135-3,00.html

Dissolvency Time in Seconds


"Thick, plush toilet papers make you feel pampered, but if your plumbing is prone to clogging, they can aggravate the problem. The Good Housekeeping Institute tested all the leading brands and found that Charmin, Charmin Ultra, Quilted Northern and Cottonelle were particularly slow to dissolve. So if you have a low-flow toilet, or old, sticky plumbing that often acts up, those toilet papers may not be your best bet."
Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab


Brand Dissolvency Time in Seconds
(lowest is best)
Charmin Plus 1-Ply 9
MD 2-Ply 9
Coronet 2-Ply 12
Angel Soft 2-Ply 12
Scott 1-Ply 17
Soft 'N Gentle 1-Ply 18
Soft Weve 1-Ply 20
Marcal 1-Ply 20
Soft 'N Gentle 2-Ply 21
Seventh Generation 2-Ply 21
Quilted Northern Super 2-Ply 69
Charmin Ultra 2-Ply 77
Cottonelle 1-Ply 96
Charmin 1-Ply 180


PoopReport.com Report on paper (http://www.poopreport.com/Consumer/Content/Plys/results.html)

[hj]

If someone were using any of these brands and it seemed to be plugging the toilet, whether it did or not, I would hope they were now using one of them that did not do it. In which case you should be asking which brand are they not having a problem with.

[Snowman]

:)
If someone were using any of these brands and it seemed to be plugging the toilet, whether it did or not, I would hope they were now using one of them that did not do it. In which case you should be asking which brand are they not having a problem with.

I like that approach!!

[Terry]

I don't have a "problem" with paper that doesn't plug, it's the stuff that does plug that bothers me.

Some of the new papers use cotton, which does not break down and can stick in the trapways.

Some paper just zips right through.
So yes, post those that work too.
For paper that works, go here! (http://terrylove.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1688)

Or you can use less paper by using a bidet or washlet on your toilet.
It's called, Washing with Water"
What a concept.
80% of homes in Japan wash with water.
Americans rub dry paper on their butts.
http://www.terrylove.com/ads/ad_600_c.jpg (http://www.easycarts.net/ecarts/terrylove/Bidet_Seats.html)

[Susan H]

It has been many years since we've used it, but we found that Coronet was causing our toilet to stop up. My husband didn't like to give it up, but I was glad to not use it any more. It was strong, but not at all soft.

[RioHyde]

I've gotta say....I've got a 17 year old boy who could look at a toilet and clog it. Quite frustrating. However, he has yet to clog our Drake, but given his experience with clogging our old 3.5 gallon Mansfields he is now quite proficient in the use of a closet auger and plunger. :rolleyes:

http://www.terrylove.com/images/auger_02.jpg

[mrjetskey]

Increase the kids intake of fiber that should help immensely!!! PS. you left out my favorite brand flushable cottonelle wet wipes!!!!!

[Mikey]

"Thick, plush toilet papers make you feel pampered, but if your plumbing is prone to clogging, they can aggravate the problem. The Good Housekeeping Institute tested all the leading brands and found that Charmin, Charmin Ultra, Quilted Northern and Cottonelle were particularly slow to dissolve. So if you have a low-flow toilet, or old, sticky plumbing that often acts up, those toilet papers may not be your best bet."
Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab

OTOH, I read recently that TP that "dissolves" is terrible for the septic system, since the cellulose matter winds up in the leach field. That article/post/whatever argued that a TP that just fell to the sludge layer in the septic tank was better for the system as a whole. Periodic pumping (3 years recommended here) removes the sludge without impacting the leach field.

[Mike50]

Non-dissolving TP would be a disaster for those of us on septic.
Eventually over time you would have a wad of wet paper that weighed many hundreds of pounds.
I'd be curious to read where you originally read that Mikey.

We are getting into the land of urban legend with many of these "Recommendations" imo.

Just because my toilet hasn't clogged in 5 years using Brand X sure isn't
empirical evidence that it will work well for you. Too many variables.

;)

[Mikey]

I was surprised as well, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense, as far as the cellulose-in-the-leach-field argument goes. OTOH, I'm with you wrt the big soggy mass of TP to deal with. I, of course, can get by with 2 or 3 rolls a year, but since I'm married, it's Thank God for Sam's Club.

I'll try to find the reference, but I'm not optimistic.

[Mikey]

There were several claims that soluble TP wasn't necessarily a good thing; here's a few. The last link takes the opposite view, which seems to be the more popular. I liked the "80 grit" descriptor.

http://www.builderswebsource.com/_discBT/00000d5d.htm

Specifically, there is indication that the cellulose fiber in toilet paper may not fully biodegrade, which tends to clog the percolation field.

http://www.wsg.washington.edu/outreach/mas/water_quality/septicsense/2_bathroom.html

Did you know that the quantity and quality of toilet paper you use could affect your septic system? When toilet paper breaks down it turns into its components, cellulose and lignin. If the toilet paper dissolves in your tank, it can travel into the drainfield and block the soil spaces needed for effluent treatment.

By using toilet paper that is more durable, the paper will float to the top of the tank and add to the scum layer. The scum layer, like the rest of the septic tank contents, can quickly and efficiently be removed by septic tank pumping as needed. The more toilet paper you use, the more quickly your scum layers will build.

http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=Lifestyles:Home%2FGarden&p=53407

If your toilet paper dissolves too well, it won't settle into the bottom of your septic tank, where it becomes part of the sludge layer. Instead, it goes into your drain field and can clog it up.


http://www.laundry-alternative.com/septic_system_safe_toilet_paper.html

To be on the safe side, it is best to use the cheaper, white, 80 grit, septic safe toilet paper- because it will break down easier. The more people in your household, the more important this is. There is no proof of this, but the dyes in colored toilet paper MAY cause problems.

[Mike50]

OK. Thanks. I'll read all that material time permitting. There we go again with the water softener controversy (brine discharge) too.

[Mikey]

Yeah, you'd think with the percentage of American homes on septic systems, there'd be some good, definitive science out there advising us what's OK and Not OK to flush. I noticed in the references I cited that they can't even agree on whether non-soluble TP winds up in the scum or the sludge. Maybe outhouses are the answer after all.

[Terry]

Scott paper (http://www.scottbrand.com/us/clogclinic/index.asp)has been doing some testing.
Reading the Seattle Times this morning, I see that they have rated cities according to how clog free they are.

Of course since I sell so many toilets in the Seattle area, you know, the really good ones. I was curious as to which city came out on top.

Cities with the lowest clog rating (least likely to have clogs)
1) Seattle/Tacoma (cities I've been selling to)
2) Denver
3) Minneapolis/St. Paul
4) Orlando area
5) Baltimore

The worst cites for clogging are:
1) New York
2) Miami/Fort Lauderdale
3) Los Angeles
4) Philadelphia
5) Houston
6) Atlanta
7) Chicago
8) Portland
9) Indianapolis
10) San Francisco

Scott Tissue Clog Clinic (http://www.scottbrand.com/us/clogclinic/index.asp)

[TPA]

Where's the option for "none of the above"? I have Toto toilets at all of my homes... and no problems because of it. I proudly use the 2-ply Cottenelle Ultra without problems, and I do tend to use too much TP.

[abikerboy]

Ive always had the most problems with "Angel Soft". Seems to plug up a 45 degree, 3" wye under the house every time. I use the Scott brand 1000 sheet rolls. Seems to work the best.

[Cass]

I'm with abikerboy. We use the Scott 1000 sheet rolls. It's more of a $$$ thing to me.

I can't stand paying $$$ for something that gets flushed. My 4 kids just look at a roll of TP and it is gone. I did an experiment and with the Scott 1000 we go through 12 rolls a week (12,000) sheets. Cost about $168.00 / year. When I switch to 2 ply my cost triples.

[maddfrog]

I have a couple of small ones and my wife likes to use Kandoo 'flushable' wipes. They may be flushable, but they often slow down the toilets in our house, especially if more than one is used. It's quickly remedied with a plunger, but it's a hassle nonetheless. They have only stopped completely once or twice.

Can't wait until my wife thinks the kiddos are old enough to use regular paper... In my opinion, they're already old enough. never used those wipes when I was a kid and I turned out just fine (at least I think so. others beg to differ)

[TPA]

ugh... none of that 80-grit for my tush!.

[rightman]

I have seen few articles on this, but in reality, I am having difficulties trying to understand the process to get the test information: how it is being conducted. They claim Charmin Ultra takes 9 seconds etc to dissolve. I have placed the tissue in a glass bowl for timing and I see the tissue not dissolving unless I stir it and touch the tissue. I have tried stirring the water with a wood stick etc, without touching the tissue and after few hours, still not making a cloud in my water with the paper. Please, advise how they conducted this test.

[cstdenis]

I have seen few articles on this, but in reality, I am having difficulties trying to understand the process to get the test information: how it is being conducted. They claim Charmin Ultra takes 9 seconds etc to dissolve. I have placed the tissue in a glass bowl for timing and I see the tissue not dissolving unless I stir it and touch the tissue. I have tried stirring the water with a wood stick etc, without touching the tissue and after few hours, still not making a cloud in my water with the paper. Please, advise how they conducted this test.


After a few hours?!? LOFL about this poll and the comments. I use the toilet paper which makes my rear feel good - charmin ultra. We did a test of about 5 different papers to see which one we liked best - didn't test the clogging issue though - guess it isn't a player in our house - Have a toto toilet - no problems.

[shinerburke]

We use Scott 1000 and have never had an issue.

The whole reason we started using it is because we bought an RV and I got tired of paying the premium for "special" RV toilet papet. After talking with long time RV's, many of which are full timers, they suggested we try Scott 1000. We did and haven't had any issues in the RV toilets or the toilets in the house since switching over. The Scott 1000 even has safe for RV septic systems" printed on the label and costs a whole lot less than the "special" paper for RV toilets.

[bk]

When we built our 1st house in 1973 in a rural subdivision with septic systems, I had always lived in the city, so my father-in-law taught me the septic system rules: use only 1-ply TP and only use white because the colored dyes kill the bacteria that break down the sludge in the system. We followed his rules and we were the only house in our section of the subdivision that never had a septic problem in 33 yrs.

Several folks have mentioned the Scott 1000 rolls. That's what we were using until I discovered the Walgreens Big Roll which is identical but less expensive. Of all the items available through Walgreens, the Big Roll is their top-selling product.

[minixmush]

I just purchased a bidet a few months ago. With bidets, you don't have to worry about silly things such as the "dissolvency" properties of toilet paper. I use far less toilet paper, if any at all, which is good news for all my fellow spoiled Charmin Ultra users. :) Plus, the experience of cleaning myself is so much more enjoyable AND its environmentally friendly. Everyone in Asia and Europe uses bidets, I'm not sure why it hasn't hit the American scene yet. I guess it's because people are naturally turned off by the thought of water spraying down there?? Not sure.

Anyways, I have an older toilet that used to clog all the time. Since I use less TP, it hasn't clogged since. No joke. Plus, my toilet looks like an upgraded version of itself because the new bidet seat is so much prettier than my old seat:

http://www.easycarts.net/ecarts/terrylove/Bidet_Seats.html#dib_1500

http://www.easycarts.net/ecarts/terrylove/images/dib_1500 (http://www.easycarts.net/ecarts/terrylove/images/dib_15002)

I ended up buying this one because it got such good reviews. I love it! A bit expensive, but totally worth it. Methinks bidets are the future. :p

[Scuba_Dave]

So Scotts does a study that their brand breaks up "4x faster then the leading brand"
Unless it was an independant lab doing the testing its just advertising to me

3+ year old thread.............

[lyban]

BUt I cannot find it.
Is it still here.

[ArbitraryUser3472]

Hey, I have an innovative idea. How about doing away with the use of toilet paper altogether? First of all, it's expensive to buy it these days. Second of all, it doesn't Really Clean you now, does it? Let's say All of us instead switch to a tried and true method such as plain soap and water. It works and I use this all the time. I Never Ever use toilet paper. We have a septic tank and not once have we ever had a backup of any kind. We have never had any sort of backup in either the house we live in now or in the house we used to live in that was connected to a sewer line. We lived there for 18 years. Low and Behold, we have renters in that house now and guess what? Yes, there was a sewer backup over there today and we have had to spend Tons of money getting it fixed. Well, some people will never learn now, will they?

[ArbitraryUser3472]

I Agree Completely with you, minixmush!!!

[Terry]

Charmin causes lot's of problems with flushing. This poor little puppy didn't know what to do with the stash of TP that he found.

12845

[Aterry]

About two months ago, I switched to Charmin Ultra Plush 3-ply toilet paper. Since then, I have had the plumber here 3 times to clean out the sewer due to overflowing. He has pulled out what he says are paper towels each time. The second and third time he used the largest snake. I have a roommate and she says she only flushes toilet paper and so do I. He says someone is flushing paper towels or handi- wipes and that the toilet paper can't cause the blockage. If no one is flushing anything but toilet paper, could there be any other cause of the blockage. The house was built in 1920.

[jadnashua]

Charmin is almost certainly the culprit...as opposed to normal paper, it has some cotton in it and does not decompose. On an old home, the pipes are probably cast iron, and rough inside, so stuff catches. Switch to another TP, or for better hygiene, buy a bidet seat and forget the paper altogether.

[Gary Swart]

I have found the house brand sold by Safeway called Softly works very well. It's 2 ply and causes no problems in flushing. I'm fairly certain other large chain stores have exactly the same product under their own house brand names. Beside working very well, it's less expensive than the highly advertised name brands.