Does rapid dissolving toilet paper work?

Toilet paper that dissolves rapidly has become an increasingly popular product in recent years. Brands like Charmin and Scott have introduced toilet papers that they claim will dissolve in water nearly instantly. But does this rapid dissolving technology really work as advertised? Here’s a comprehensive look at the effectiveness of rapid dissolving toilet paper.

What is rapid dissolving toilet paper?

Rapid dissolving toilet paper is designed to break down and dissolve in water much faster than regular toilet paper. Most standard toilet papers are slow to dissolve and can clog pipes. Rapid dissolving versions use special materials and manufacturing processes to make the tissue disintegrate quickly when flushed.

According to companies like Proctor & Gamble, maker of Charmin toilet paper, their rapid dissolve products will disintegrate in a matter of seconds. This is much faster than the minutes it takes conventional toilet paper to break down in water.

Rapid dissolving toilet paper aims to be as strong and absorbent as regular toilet paper while also being water soluble. Brands use chemical additives and features like embossing to make the tissue flushable.

How is rapid dissolving toilet paper made?

The main difference between rapid dissolving toilet paper and regular toilet paper is in the materials and manufacturing process. While regular toilet paper contains wood pulp and fibers, dissolving toilet paper uses wood pulp along with water soluble chemical additives.

Chemicals like cationic polymers and starches are added to the pulp mixture. These act as disintegrants which weaken the fibers and allow water to quickly break down the tissue.

The pulp mixture is pressed flat and dried like regular toilet paper. But additional steps like embossing create creases and folds in the paper, making it weaker and easier for water to penetrate.

Rapid dissolving toilet papers also tend to use shorter fibers than standard paper. This makes individual fibers detach more quickly during the flushing process.

How quickly does it dissolve?

Most major brands of rapid dissolving toilet paper claim the tissue will disintegrate in only a few seconds when flushed. For example:

• Charmin says its Charmin Ultra Gentle dissolves in about 5 seconds.
• Cottonelle claims their Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare breaks down in 10 seconds or less.
• Scott says their Scott Rapid-Dissolving bath tissue disintegrates 4X faster than regular Scott tissue.

Testing by consumer groups has verified these rapid dissolve claims. In 30 second disintegration tests, most leading brands dissolved fully or left only small flecks behind.

Of course, real world results can vary depending on your toilet’s flush power and plumbing system. But overall, rapid dissolving tissue clearly disintegrates in a fraction of the time of regular toilet paper.

What are the benefits?

Switching to a rapid dissolving toilet paper offers several benefits:

• Prevents clogs – Regular toilet paper can mass together and get caught in pipes. Rapid dissolving tissue avoids this problem by quickly disintegrating.
• Saves plumbing costs – Fewer clogs means less need for plumbing repairs and services to clear blockages.
• Environmentally friendly – Rapidly dissolving tissue breaks down easier at wastewater treatment plants. It contains less residual content than standard toilet paper.
• Peace of mind – The fast breakdown gives confidence that pipes will stay clear after flushing.

For households concerned about clogs, the fast dissolve properties of these toilet papers can prevent problems and provide added assurance.

Are there any downsides?

The main downside of rapid dissolving toilet paper is the higher cost compared to regular toilet paper. Brands touting special flushable properties are typically priced at a premium.

There are also some tradeoffs in terms of quality and performance. Rapidly dissolving tissue can sometimes have a thinner, lighter feel compared to thicker regular toilet papers. And a few dissolving formulations may be less absorbent.

However, major brands have worked to minimize these downsides. Leader like Charmin Ultra Gentle provide an appealing balance of softness, strength, absorbency and dissolvability.

Does plumbing type affect performance?

Your home’s plumbing can impact how well rapid dissolving toilet paper performs. Key factors include:

• Pipe materials – Plastic pipes allow toilet paper to move through more quickly than cast iron pipes where tissue can collect along rough edges.
• Pipe size – Wider pipes provide more room for toilet paper to dissolve as it travels.
• Septic vs. sewer – Septic systems filter out solids and may be more prone to clogging issues.
• Toilet bowl shape – Elongated and open front bowls allow more water contact for faster disintegration.
• Flush power – High performance pressure assist toilets and jetted flushes dissolve tissue most effectively.

Homeowners that are concerned about older or problematic plumbing can look for a rapid dissolve toilet paper designed to work across pipe types.

How does it compare to “flushable” wipes?

Many consumers looking for clog-free flushing turn to so-called “flushable” wipes. However, wet wipes are known to cause major clogging issues in home and municipal sewer systems.

While some wet wipes will technically flush down a toilet, most do not rapidly dissolve like rapid dissolving toilet papers. The fibers in wipes tend to stay intact and tangle into clogs.

Rapid dissolving toilet paper makes a much better choice than wet wipes for reliable flushing. Authorities like the National Association of Clean Water Agencies advise that only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed.

Top rapid dissolving toilet paper brands

Some top options in rapid dissolving toilet paper include:

Charmin Ultra Gentle

One of the leading dissolving toilet paper brands, Charmin Ultra Gentle claims to dissolve 4X faster than the average regular tissue while still being soft and strong.

Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare

Cottonelle touts 10 second dissolution while providing soothing aloe and vitamin E in their Ultra CleanCare line of flushable toilet papers.

Scott Rapid-Dissolving

From the well-known Scott brand, this toilet paper disintegrates 4X faster than regular Scott tissue and effectively clears 99% of plumbing systems.

Angel Soft Rapid-Dissolve

Angel Soft offers affordably priced options like their Rapid-Dissolve product designed to break down quickly across various plumbing configurations.

Comparison of leading rapid dissolving toilet paper brands

Brand	Disintegration time claimed	Key features
Charmin Ultra Gentle	5 seconds	Soft, strong, absorbent
Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare	10 seconds or less	Aloe, vitamin E
Scott Rapid-Dissolving	4X faster than regular	Designed for all plumbing
Angel Soft Rapid-Dissolve	Rapidly dissolving	Affordable, effective

Do professional plumbers recommend rapid dissolving toilet paper?

Many professional plumbers do recommend using a rapid dissolving toilet paper to prevent clogs and plumbing issues.

For example, respected plumbing authority Roto-Rooter notes that rapid dissolve toilet papers their service technicians encounter create fewer problems than standard tissue.

Angie’s List also suggests rapid dissolving toilet paper as a way to avoid clogs. They advise looking for a quick dissolving product that still provides sufficient wet strength for customer’s needs.

Plumbing and drain cleaning companies want to reduce avoidable clogs that require service calls. Speed disintegrating toilet paper provides an easy way to avoid problems.

Does dissolving speed make a difference?

There can be major differences between toilet papers claiming to be “flushable” or “septic safe” versus those designed to fully dissolve rapidly. Standard flushable toilet papers still take several minutes to break down.

True rapid dissolving toilet papers have a big advantage, with dissolution times under 10 seconds. This major difference in dissolve speed has a substantial impact on reducing clogs.

Consumers looking for the most reliable flushing should specifically seek out toilet papers proving quick disintegration under 5 seconds, like Charmin Ultra Gentle or Cottonelle CleanCare.

Tips for optimal performance

Follow these tips to get the best results from rapid dissolving toilet paper:

• Choose a top brand designed for fast dissolution.
• Get the right paper for your plumbing – plastic pipes vs. cast iron, etc.
• Use an elongated, open front toilet bowl when possible.
• Select a high flush volume of at least 1.6 gallons.
• Consider a pressure assist or jetted flush toilet model.
• Flush immediately after use for fastest disintegration.
• Never flush wet wipes or paper towels.

The bottom line

Quality rapid dissolving toilet papers like those from Charmin and Cottonelle do work exceptionally well. The top brands dissolve in as little as 5-10 seconds, avoiding clogs much better than standard tissue.

Rapid dissolve formulations also feel soft and absorbent. While priced at a premium, they can save on plumbing bills and provide peace of mind.

Just be sure to choose an ultra fast disintegrating product designed for your toilet system. Used properly, dissolving toilet paper provides an effective solution for reliable flushing across different home plumbing configurations.