7 Flushable Wipes That Disintegrate

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There are some trips to the toilet that require a little extra help, and yes, we’re talking a step beyond your usual toilet paper. You’ve probably noticed more and more flushable wipes on the market recently, specifically designed to help in these extenuating circumstances. Even better: many of them are designed to be flushed down the toilet, as opposed to, say, baby wipes, which you definitely shouldn’t flush. That’s because baby wipes are designed to hold together during use; you don’t want them crumbling when you’re cleaning up your little one during a diaper change. But when flushed, baby wipes stay in one piece instead of disintegrating like toilet paper or thinner, toilet-approved wipes, which means they’re more likely to clog up your plumbing system.

The solution: disintegrating, flushable adult wipes that won’t lead to extra toilet troubles (and an expensive visit from your plumber). Now, it’s worth noting that some plumbing and maintenance workers still advocate for flushing only toilet paper. Flushing wet wipes caused big sewage back-ups around the country in 2020, during the early part of the pandemic, with officials saying flushable wipes were also a culprit. Still, David Rousse, president of the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, which represents major wipes producers among other companies, told AP at the time that flushable wipes made of cellulose (aka plant fibers) are OK to use and “incapable of causing” those kind of plumbing problems. To lower the risk of these issues, it’s best to flush only one wipe at once.

For health reasons, we also recommend taking a look at the ingredients of any flushable wipes you try out, making sure to grab options that are unscented, natural, and free of chemicals like formaldehyde and kathon, a kind of preservative. We’ve picked out some good options for you here, but if you still notice any kind of irritation, itchiness, or redness after use, make sure to stop and talk to your doctor.

With all that said, keep reading for the best flushable wipes that disintegrate, to keep both your bum and your plumbing system clean.