6 Best Toilet Papers for Septic Systems in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

The wrong toilet paper can be unkind to sensitive skin, and for most, there’s a glaring difference between the cheap toilet paper you’re forced to use when out in public and the softer, more comfortable toilet paper used at home.

But if you have a septic system, you have to consider its compatibility with your septic system. Some toilet paper can clog up the works, but the following six toilet papers, however, are all safe for septic systems.

We’ve tested these toilet papers to see how they feel and compare, so you don’t have to. Hopefully, our reviews will help you pick out the best toilet paper for septic tanks.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Quilted Northern H&PC-74326	Safe for septic systems 3 layers makes it ultra-soft Doesn’t shed much	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Amazon Brand Presto!	Priced affordably Completely safe for septic systems Produced sustainably	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Charmin Ultra Soft	Ultra-soft Approved by ROTO-Rooter Mega rolls are 5x larger	CHECK PRICE
		Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare	Septic-safe 388 sheets each Sourced sustainably	CHECK PRICE
		Scott Rapid-Dissolving	Rapid-dissolving paper Completely septic-safe Sourced from responsible sources	CHECK PRICE

The 6 Best Toilet Paper for Septic Systems

1. Quilted Northern H&PC-74326 Ultra Plush Toilet Paper – Best Overall

Most people agree that two-ply toilet paper is more comfortable than single-ply, but how about three-ply? That’s what the Quilted Northern Ultra Plush Toilet Paper offers. You get three layers of cushiony soft tissue to keep your backside clean. The quilted pattern helps with comfort and cleanliness, and since it’s ultra-absorbent, you don’t need as much as you do with other brands.

These rolls feature 319 sheets each, much larger than a standard toilet paper roll. For the amount of toilet paper on each roll, they’re priced pretty affordable. We also like that they don’t seem to shed much, which was a significant issue with some of the other brands we tested. Overall, this is the best septic-safe toilet paper reviewed this year.

2. Amazon Brand Presto! – Best Value

Presto! is Amazon’s in-house brand of toilet paper. It’s priced considerably cheaper than the competition, but that doesn’t mean its quality is lower. In fact, we were so impressed with this toilet paper at this price that we think it’s the best toilet paper for septic tanks for the money.

Naturally, the paper is completely safe for use in any standard septic system. The rolls are mega-sized, so each is approximately equal to four regular-sized rolls. It’s not the softest toilet paper we tried, but it’s still quite plush and never leaves you raw. However, it seems to leave behind less lint than other brands, which you can notice when you use it to blow your nose.

This product is produced sustainably for those concerned about the environment. The pulp used to create this paper comes from responsibly managed forests, which leaves a smaller footprint.

 3. Charmin Ultra Soft Cushiony Touch Toilet Paper– Premium Choice

Cheap toilet paper can feel more like sandpaper than tissue, so we gravitate towards ultra-soft, plush toilet paper like the Charmin Ultra Soft Cushiony Touch Toilet Paper. Not only is it one of the softest tissue papers we’ve seen, but it’s also approved by ROTO-Rooter as entirely safe for septic systems, so you never have to worry about it clogging things up.

One advantage of Charmin is the gigantic mega rolls that are five times the size of standard toilet paper rolls. You get 24 rolls in a pack, which equates to 123 standard-sized rolls. Each roll contains 338 sheets, so you get over 8,000 sheets of toilet paper in a package. Luckily, Charmin is more absorbent than most of the competition, so it lasts longer since you don’t need as much each time.

Our only real complaint about the Charmin Ultra Soft is the price. It’s quite a bit more expensive than other toilet paper we tried. But to be fair, you are getting a lot on each roll, and this paper is kind to your backside. Can you put a price on comfort?

4. Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare Strong Toilet Paper

If you have problems with toilet paper that’s too thin and falls apart when you use it, you might consider switching to the Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare Strong Toilet Paper. It’s stronger and thicker than most brands, though it’s still 100% septic-safe, sewer-safe, and clog-safe. Since Cottonelle is sourced sustainably from responsibly managed forests, you don’t have to be concerned with your environmental impact.

It is single-ply, but it’s thick enough to be highly absorbent. Each roll has 388 sheets, so the 24 rolls in a pack are the equivalent of 128 regular-sized rolls. Though it’s stronger than many brands we compared it against, the Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare isn’t nearly as soft. It also  sheds a lot more than some of our favorites, even though it is strong enough not to break apart while wiping.

5. Scott Rapid-Dissolving Toilet Paper

Since it’s made specifically for RVs, boats, busses, and any other type of tiny enclosed waste system, the Scott Rapid-Dissolving Toilet Paper is designed to break down much faster than other types of bathroom tissue so that it never clogs up the system. It breaks down four times faster than standard toilet paper, so you can be sure it’s safe for your septic system.

We love how quickly this paper dissolves but weren’t as happy with the price. Scott’s paper is several times more expensive than other options. Also, the rolls are much smaller than competitors, so you’re getting even less on each roll. Luckily, it’s made from responsibly sourced materials, but that doesn’t make it more affordable.

6. Georgia-Pacific 19841 Envision Toilet Paper

Does your family go through toilet paper as quickly as a department store? If so, you might consider the Georgia-Pacific 19841 Envision Toilet Paper. It is bulk toilet paper, so it comes in large rolls and massive quantities. Each roll contains 550 sheets, and you get 40 rolls in a single package. However, they’re all single-ply, and it’s not the strongest toilet paper we’ve seen.

Naturally, single-ply toilet paper is pretty thin. This one is also rough and doesn’t feel as nice on your skin. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to spend more on a softer brand. Still, Geogia-Pacific’s paper is completely safe for septic systems, and it can save you some money if you’re okay with the downsides.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Septic Safe Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is a product that most people purchase without giving much thought. So, how do you decide which toilet paper to trust on your backside? For us, the decision boils down to a few key factors that we will share with you in this short buyer’s guide.

Septic Safe

When you have a septic system, the most essential factor is ensuring it’s certified as septic-safe. If it’s not, it could clog your septic system. This will cause the effluence to back up into your home, creating a terrible smell. Usually, the clog will require professional help to remove.

Roll Size

Standard rolls used to contain 100 sheets of toilet paper. But today, there’s not much consistency between brands. You’ll also see terms like supreme roll, mega roll, giant roll, and more, but there’s no standard for these sizes. Instead, you’ll have to see how many sheets are included on each roll. Some contain as many as 388 sheets per roll, which will last much longer than a roll with just 100 sheets.

Plys

Another difference between toilet paper is how many layers of paper are used. Single-ply toilet paper is just a single thin sheet of paper, while double-ply has two thin sheets. There’s even triple-ply toilet paper available. More layers can mean better absorbency, a plusher feel, and stronger paper that’s less likely to break apart while you wipe.

Absorbency

You might not think too much about the absorbency of your toilet paper, but between the two types of toilet paper, you can use less of the more absorbent brand and get the same results. In the long run, this can save you money since you’re essentially getting more out of each roll.

Softness

For many, this is the most obvious trait to compare between toilet paper brands. How does it feel when you wipe? Is it rough like sandpaper, or does it feel nice and soft? If you have to wipe a lot, rougher toilet paper can be very uncomfortable.

Pattern

You might have noticed that different toilet papers have different patterns. Some use ridges and others use designs, but the pattern is for more than just decoration. The texture helps grab onto things easier, leaving you with less left behind after you wipe.

Shedding

Have you ever blown your nose and been left with white fibers on your face? That’s called shedding, and most toilet paper does it to some degree. But it’s not just shedding when you sneeze, it’s shedding on your backside as well. A little shedding isn’t going to cause any damage, but it can be annoying, so if it bothers you, look for a brand that doesn’t shed.

Price

At the end of the day, all of these products do the same thing. They all do this job effectively, so you must determine what price you’re willing to endure for comfort, absorbency, and strength. If those characteristics don’t matter to you, there’s always bulk toilet paper available for lower prices.

• See Also:
•  How Close Can You Build To a Septic Tank? What You Need To Know!
• WHAT IS A CESSPOOL AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Conclusion

Once you realize how much we rely on toilet paper, you might never look at wiping the same again. But you don’t need to personally feel each of these papers to know how they stack up. We already tested them for you, so hopefully, our reviews will save you time.

Ultimately, we’re going to trust Quilted Northern Ultra Plush, and we rated it as the best toilet paper for septic tanks. It’s safe for septic systems, so yours won’t get clogged, which is helped by the fact that you don’t need as much of this toilet paper since it’s ultra-absorbent. It’s incredibly soft when you wipe and doesn’t leave behind any little white fibers like other brands we tried.

When the price is a significant factor, we’re more likely to choose the Amazon Brand Presto! toilet paper instead. Though it’s made from sustainably sourced pulp, this paper still provides an incredible value at a very affordable price.

Are you looking for luxury in the lavatory? You might try the super-absorbent Charmin Ultra Soft Cushiony Touch that’s ROTO-Rooter- approved as safe for septic systems.

Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock