My family is always fighting on which to do either flush toliet paper or throw it away. I need opions. HELP!!!

Question

I think it would MUCH better if they flushed it. Not throw it away I think that is nasty. and unsanitary!!!!

Answer 1

Toilet paper is MADE / MANUFACTURED to be FLUSHED.

Your family isn't very smart.

Answer 2

The only reason not to flush is if you have a private septic tank that is having problelms. Otherwise the septic tank decomposes the toilet paper. If it is a private septic tank AND is known to be small, is known to have problems or there are more people living in the house than appropriate you can have the septic pumped every 2 or so years (cost $150-200) to keep the septic tank in top condition. The danger involved with toilet paper is that if you use more than the tank can decompose it will over fill the septic tank and pass into the leach field, clogging the leach field and costing $5000+ to dig up and replace. A functional septic tank (especially anything put in in the last 20 or so years) only needs to be pumped every 3-5 years to keep it running and can go even longer if the house has few occupants.
That being said, the only other paper related danger is kids, using tons of paper and clogging the toilet so it plugs and overflows onto the bathroom floor.
If you have public sewers, flush it all. That's what the sewer treatment plants take care of.

Answer 3

Ok..i have the same problem here. We have a country-style septic system..too much toilet paper flushed will tend to clog the line unless we put a bacterial matter in the septic system. We buy it from Wal-Mart. I have family members who insist on not putting the paper in the toilet and it is disgusting. As far as a city-run septic system i see no problem with flushing the paper. Also, i find that different toilet papers are better. I will not use a double layer as it does tend to clog more. Thank you for asking. This has been a contention within my family as well.

Answer 4

If you have a septic tank, you have to watch for it getting clogged, so you can flush it if you get regular Scott's paper. But you will see it getting clogged eventually if you use the softer brands like Angel Soft. So just make sure you get one that's not too thick and you can always flush it.
Throwing it out is pretty gross, it should be flushed.

Answer 5

If you have a septic tank you need to make sure you buy toilet paper that is safe for septics. My mother in law has a septic and she always says that you cannot use 2 ply, but I have found 2 play toilet paper that is safe for septics. Just read the label. It is disgusting to put the toilet paper in the trash...think of how nasty a diaper pail smells!

Answer 6

You have a lot of good answers so far. I just wanted to add that you can use regular baker's yeast (as long as it is active) in septic tanks to help decompose the matter.

Large bags of about a pound can be purchased at Sam's Club or other warehouse clubs.

Try to use the one ply papers to make it easier on the tank bacteria.

Answer 7

If you have a regular water system, flush. If you have some septic tank set up that's inadequate, throw away in a trash can with a lid you can pop open with your foot on a lever. Where I live, nobody flushes and it took me awhile to get used to it.

Answer 8

Toilet paper is made to be flushed. I think if you throw it away, that would definitely be unsanitary, and start to smell.

Answer 9

gross......toilet paper is meant to be flushed, that is why it is called toilet paper. if they are concerned with it clogging the pipes, just make sure that they are not using a ton to do the job a few sheets can do. why would you want a glob of poop sitting in your trash, flush it!!!!

Answer 10

flush it its ment to be flushed!

Answer 11

Totally gross!!!! It's made to be thrown away.