Septic Safe Toilet Paper: Best Brands and What to Avoid

Toilet paper is the only product that goes down your toilet every single day — so choosing the wrong kind matters more than most homeowners think. Paper that doesn't break down quickly accumulates in your septic tank as solid waste, shortens pumping intervals, and in the worst cases, contributes to drain field clogs that cost thousands to repair.

The good news: several major brands are genuinely septic safe, and choosing the right one doesn't mean sacrificing comfort. This guide covers which brands pass the test, what to look for on labels, and the simple DIY test you can do at home to check any brand.

Why Toilet Paper Matters for Septic Systems

A septic tank is a biological treatment system. Solid waste sinks to the bottom and is broken down by anaerobic bacteria over time. Properly sized tanks and pumping schedules are designed around a predictable rate of sludge accumulation. Toilet paper that breaks down slowly — or not at all — changes that equation.

Unlike municipal sewer systems, where waste travels to a treatment plant, everything that enters your septic tank either gets broken down inside the tank or travels out to the drain field. Paper that doesn't dissolve adds to sludge volume, and if enough of it migrates to the drain field, it can clog the perforated pipes and soil absorption area — a repair that often runs $5,000–$20,000.

What Makes Toilet Paper Septic Safe?

Septic-safe toilet paper dissolves quickly when wet. The key factors are:

• Rapid dissolution — paper should start breaking apart within seconds of contacting water, not minutes
• Low fiber density — thinner papers with shorter fibers dissolve faster than thick, quilted designs
• No additives or coatings — lotions, aloe, and "comfort" coatings slow dissolution and add non-biodegradable residue
• 1-ply or rapid-dissolve 2-ply construction — single-ply dissolves fastest; some 2-ply brands are engineered for quick breakdown
• No wet strength additives — some papers are treated to hold together when wet (useful for facial tissue, bad for septic systems)

The presence of a "septic safe" label on packaging is a good sign but not a regulated standard. Any brand can print those words without independent certification. The jar test (described below) is a more reliable way to evaluate any specific product.

The Jar Test: Check Any Brand in 60 Seconds

This is the most reliable way to evaluate any toilet paper before committing to a brand. Here's how to do it:

• Fill a glass jar halfway with water
• Tear off 4–5 squares of toilet paper and drop them into the water
• Put the lid on and shake the jar 10 times
• Set the jar down and observe — within 30 seconds, septic-safe paper should be breaking apart into small pieces; within 2 minutes it should be nearly disintegrated
• Paper that holds its shape or remains in large pieces after 2 minutes is too slow-dissolving for septic use

Best Toilet Paper Brands for Septic Systems

Here are the most commonly available brands and how they perform in septic systems:

Scott 1000 (Best Overall for Septic)

Scott 1000 is consistently rated as the top choice for septic systems, and for good reason. It's a 1-ply paper that dissolves almost instantly — faster than most competitors. The tradeoff is comfort: it's thinner and less cushioned than premium brands. For households prioritizing septic health over softness, it's the gold standard. The brand explicitly markets itself as septic safe and passes the jar test with ease.

Angel Soft (Good Balance of Softness and Safety)

Angel Soft 2-ply is one of the better mainstream options for septic homeowners who want more comfort than 1-ply provides. It dissolves reasonably quickly and doesn't contain heavy conditioning additives. The standard version is labeled septic safe and performs well in the jar test. Avoid the "Freshness Scent" varieties, which contain fragrance additives.

Cottonelle Ultra (Acceptable with Caveats)

Standard Cottonelle is labeled septic safe and breaks down acceptably for most well-maintained systems. The "Ultra Clean" and "Ultra Comfort" varieties are thicker and dissolve more slowly — households with older systems or systems nearing their pumping interval should stick with standard Cottonelle or switch to a faster-dissolving option.

Charmin Ultra Soft and Ultra Strong (Use with Caution)

Charmin's Ultra line is the most popular toilet paper in the US — and among the most problematic for septic systems. The Ultra Soft and Ultra Strong varieties are thick, multi-ply papers that dissolve significantly slower than competitors. Charmin labels these products "septic safe," which is technically true in the sense that they eventually break down, but they accumulate in tanks faster than thinner alternatives and require more frequent pumping.

If your household uses Charmin Ultra, you're not going to destroy your system overnight — but you should expect to pump more frequently and watch for signs of sludge buildup more closely. Charmin Essentials (their basic line) is a better choice for septic households.

Seventh Generation and Recycled-Paper Brands

Recycled-content toilet papers from brands like Seventh Generation, Who Gives a Crap, and Caboo are excellent choices for septic systems. These papers tend to have shorter fibers (a byproduct of using recycled material) that dissolve quickly. Seventh Generation specifically uses no dyes, inks, or fragrances. These brands perform very well in the jar test and are among the most septic-friendly options available.

Toilet Paper Brands: Quick Reference Guide

• Best for septic: Scott 1000 (1-ply, fastest dissolution), Seventh Generation, Who Gives a Crap (recycled)
• Good for septic: Angel Soft (standard), Charmin Essentials, Cottonelle (standard)
• Use with caution: Charmin Ultra Soft, Charmin Ultra Strong, Cottonelle Ultra
• Avoid entirely: Any "flushable" wipes (even labeled flushable), paper towels, facial tissues, napkins

What About "Flushable" Wipes?

"Flushable" wipes are one of the most damaging products for septic systems, despite their labeling. The term "flushable" means only that the wipe will pass through the toilet and pipes without immediately clogging them — it says nothing about how quickly the wipe breaks down in your septic tank.

Most wet wipes, including those labeled flushable, are made with synthetic fibers (polyester, viscose) that don't break down like paper. They accumulate in the tank as solid waste, clog inlet baffles, and have been found intact in septic systems years after flushing. No major septic industry organization or plumber recommends flushing any wipes, regardless of their labeling.

RV and Marine Toilet Paper: Necessary for Septic?

RV and marine toilet papers are specifically engineered to dissolve almost instantly — they're designed for small holding tanks with no biological treatment capacity. These papers work perfectly in residential septic systems and are the fastest-dissolving option available.

The tradeoff is cost and comfort. RV papers are significantly more expensive than standard TP and are noticeably thinner. They're a reasonable option for vacation homes with septic systems that go unused for long periods (dissolution is especially important when the bacterial population is dormant), but for everyday household use, standard 1-ply options like Scott 1000 are nearly as effective at a fraction of the cost.

How Toilet Paper Choice Affects Pumping Frequency

The standard pumping recommendation for a residential septic system is every 3–5 years, based on average household size and water use. Toilet paper choice is one of several factors that influence where in that range your tank falls.

A household using Scott 1000 consistently will have notably less paper contributing to sludge volume than an identical household using Charmin Ultra Strong. Over a 10-year period, this difference can mean one fewer pumping cycle — a savings of $400–$600. More importantly, slower-dissolving paper increases the risk that the scheduled pumping interval becomes inadequate, leading to solids migrating to the drain field.

• Pump every 3 years: households using heavy-quilted paper, large families (5+ people)
• Pump every 3–4 years: households using standard 2-ply paper, average family size (3–4 people)
• Pump every 4–5 years: households using rapid-dissolve 1-ply paper, smaller households (1–2 people)
• Always follow up with a professional inspection if you're uncertain about sludge levels

Other Products to Keep Out of Your Septic System

Toilet paper choice is just one part of protecting your septic system from non-degradable waste. The following should never be flushed regardless of any labeling:

• Any type of wipe (flushable, baby, makeup, personal hygiene, cleaning)
• Paper towels — much thicker than toilet paper and slow to dissolve
• Facial tissues (Kleenex) — treated with wet strength additives to hold together when wet
• Cotton balls and cotton pads
• Feminine hygiene products (pads, tampons, applicators)
• Condoms
• Dental floss — doesn't dissolve and tangles around other solids
• Medications — can disrupt bacterial activity and contaminate groundwater
• Cat litter — even "flushable" varieties can swell with moisture and clog pipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charmin septic safe?

Charmin's standard and Essentials lines are acceptable for most septic systems. The Ultra Soft and Ultra Strong varieties are labeled septic safe but dissolve significantly slower than competitors — they add more solid volume to your tank over time. If you prefer Charmin, choose the Essentials line and plan to pump on the shorter end of your recommended interval (every 3 years rather than 5).

Is Scott toilet paper really the best for septic?

For rapid dissolution, yes. Scott 1000 consistently outperforms other mainstream brands in breakup speed. It's the most recommended brand by plumbers and septic professionals. The main downside is comfort — it's thinner than premium brands. For households prioritizing septic health, it's hard to beat.

Can I use 2-ply toilet paper with a septic system?

Yes — not all 2-ply papers are problematic. Angel Soft standard, Cottonelle standard, and Charmin Essentials are all 2-ply and perform reasonably well. The issue isn't ply count specifically; it's the thickness, quilting, and additives. A thin 2-ply dissolves faster than some heavy 1-ply products. Check the jar test for the specific brand you're considering.

What happens if I've been using the wrong toilet paper for years?

If you've used thick toilet paper for years and your system has otherwise been maintained, you may simply have a tank that needs pumping sooner than average. A professional inspection can check your sludge and scum layer depths to assess whether immediate pumping is needed. Switching to a faster-dissolving paper going forward will slow future accumulation. There's no permanent damage if the tank hasn't overflowed or backed up.