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They’ve become incredibly popular and, at first glance, seem like a helpful bathroom hack.
But in reality, flushable wipes aren’t always as safe as advertised and can actually leave you juggling thousands of dollars in home repairs.
In fact, a new investigation by Consumer Reports found that while these wipes may pass the flush test, they’ll still wreak havoc on your household plumbing and municipal sewage systems—and a number of plumbers agree with their findings.
What the Consumer Reports warning says
Consumer Reports recently discovered the core issue behind flushable wipes: They’re not biodegradable or sewer safe. José Amézquita, product tester at Consumer Reports, tested 11 flushable-wipe brands and four types of nonflushable wipes.
He found that none of the flushable wipes led to a toilet blockage—but don’t get too excited. Experts still encourage homeowners to look beyond toilets and consider the pipes and water treatment plants that are out of sight, out of mind. That’s where flushable wipes can become a real problem.
“Environmentally, though these flushable wipes do break down into smaller pieces when flushed, it still adds more ‘things’ to the water that not only your wastewater treatment facilities have to clean out, but also your drinking water treatment plants,” explains Shanika Whitehurst, associate director for Consumer Reports’ Product Sustainability, Research, and Testing team from the Consumer Reports article.
The report also mentions an alarming stat by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), reinforcing the potential damage of wipes: Wipes lead to an additional $441 million a year in operating costs for clean water utilities in the U.S.
What plumbers say can happen—and what it could cost
Plumbers again say that flushable wipes can be a real pain in the long run for homeowners.
“Flushable or not, wipes are one of the top culprits behind residential plumbing headaches. While they might vanish from sight with a flush, they don’t disintegrate like toilet paper. They catch on tiny imperfections in porcelain and create networks of gunk that trap more debris,” explains Justin Cornforth, owner and CEO at Ace Home Co, which provides electrical, plumbing, and HVAC services in Williamston, SC.
Over time, flushed wipes can form a dense clog in your home’s main sewer line— slowing drainage in multiple fixtures (or stopping it altogether). In septic tanks, wipes interfere with the natural breakdown process—leading to premature fill-ups and costly pumping (or in the worst-case scenario, a total system failure).
“Your plumbing is not a trash chute, and if you suddenly notice phantom flushes or slow-filling tanks, sewer gas smells coming from nowhere, or multiple fixtures backing up, then you likely overestimated the capabilities of your plumbing systems and have an issue,” explains Cornforth.
While wipe-related dilemmas occur year-round, they tend to be more popular during the holidays.
“There are more clog calls during the holiday seasons because more people are in the house, and more flushes are taking place. And your guests may be flushing wipes or other products without you knowing,” says Cornforth.
These problems are also common in the winter as colder temps constrict older pipes.
So, how much does it cost to resolve a wipe-related issue? According to Cornforth, you can spend $7 for a plunger and 20 minutes of sweat equity. However, if a clog persists and you call a plumber, they’ll likely charge up to $300 to clear it with plumbing snakes.
If the clog is too deep, don’t be surprised if your costs skyrocket.
“Jetting wipes from a main line in a small home in case of severe buildup can cost you up to $1,000. And if there is a pipe burst and the pros need to work in your yard, then trenchless pipe repair will run you thousands,” warns Cornforth.
Here’s how to keep your toilet plumbing in the clear
Fortunately, you can keep your toilet, plumbing, and sewage systems in good shape. Here are several tips to steer you in the right direction:
Be mindful of what you flush (and how you do it)
Don’t flush wipes, paper towels, tissues, or feminine hygiene products.
“Only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed. Also, avoid overflushing toilet paper. You can always flush mid-process of wiping yourself so you don’t have one giant flush of toilet paper,” says John Beron, master plumber at Shafer Services Plus in San Antonio.
Use Dawn dish soap
Dawn dish soap has grease cutting properties that can help you maintain good drain health without any harsh chemicals.
“Replacing other toilet and sink cleaners with Dawn is a simple way to keep your drains running smoothly,” explains Ian Thomas, virtual plumbing expert at Frontdoor in Minonk, IL. You can pick it up at just about any grocery or convenience store.
Invest in a bidet
If you’re worried about cleanliness, a bidet toilet seat might be worthwhile. All you have to do is mount it on your toilet seat.
“From my experience, people with bidets have far less clogs in their sewer lines from the toilet,” reports Beron.
Keep a bin by the toilet
If you’re going to use any wipes other than toilet paper while in the bathroom, Thomas suggests you keep a bin next to the toilet for disposal and ensure it’s visible so you don’t forget it’s there. This way, you’ll have a convenient place to toss items that can lead to potential clogs and other serious damage.
Call a plumber sooner rather than later
“Reach out to a plumber at the first sign of problems rather than waiting for your systems to be unusable,” advises Thomas.
And remember that early detection is the key to a simpler and more affordable resolution.