How to Dispose of Flushable Wipes

Almost everyone knows that flushable wipes are among the major causes of blockages in our sewers. This explains why flushing down used wipes is a terrible idea — disregard the “flushable” tag, please.

To dispose of wipes the correct way, you first need to know what material it is made of and how such materials could harm nature. After you understand this, you can now find better ways to dispose of your flushable wipes.

how to dispose flushable wipes

Why You Shouldn’t Flush Used Wipes

Flushable wipes are made of non-natural materials — non-woven materials that are bonded together using chemicals, resins, or high pressure, so the component particles won’t break apart.

Moreover, these materials include a type of plastic that is non-recyclable, which is one of the things that lead to the increase of wipes on landfills.

They also shed microfibers, and even though most of these are removed by the sewer treatment process, some of these fibers make it past the filtration, and sooner than later they will clog the pipes.

Since they don’t break apart easily due to their non-biodegradable nature (they take hundreds of years to fully break down), flushable wipes stick in sewage networks for a very long time and become ‘plugs’ in the sewer, thereby blocking your wastes and making them clump together. Once this starts happening, it can lead to serious blockage in the waterways.

How to Properly Dispose of Flushable Wipes

Now that you know flushing them down the water closet will lead to bigger problems in the sewer as time passes by, so what is the right way around this? We will show you the best way to dispose of flushable wipes in the most convenient way possible.

  1. Use the wipe on any surface you want
  2. If the solid waste is visible on the wipe, wrap it with fresh wipes or use toilet paper to cover it up
  3. Go to the nearest bin (preferably one outside your house) and drop it inside
  4. Wash your hands thoroughly

That’s all it takes. Make it a thing to always dispose of it in a bin and not the toilet, it might seem like much stress but it’s better than these wipes blocking your sewers and costing you much stress and money.

Are flushable wipes better than toilet paper?

Between toilet paper and flushable wipes, the former is definitely better because flushable wipes take time to break down when compared to toilet paper. The extended time it takes to break down will clog the pipes and lead to sewage problems.

Alternatives to flushable wipes?

The best alternative as of now is the bidet which allows you to use water in cleaning yourself after using the toilet. This means your reliance on flushable wipers will reduce drastically. Besides, it’s much more cost-effective than flushable wipes.

The way bidets work is by spraying water to your nether regions after using the bathroom. If it’s a high-end model it will air dry you.

One of the biggest benefits of bidets is how it improves your hygiene. Different experts have stated that cleaning with water is much better than cleaning with wipes alone.

Besides, it is like a way out for people with mobility issues who find it hard to reach down and clean themselves with toilet paper or flushable wipes. Bidets make it easier for them to reach those regions without stress.

As said earlier, flushable wipes will clog the pipes which will lead to plumbing issues, but with bidets, this is no more an issue and the expense of getting a plumber to fix the pipes can be crossed off your budget.

The best part about Bidets is its eco-friendliness. Since toilet paper and flushable wipes require frequent production because they are not reusable, this will lead to the excessive use of raw materials, however, bidets are reusable.

There are different types of bidets, and here are some of the popular ones —

  • Portable or travel bidet

If you’re traveling, there are portable bidets you can buy and take along with you on your trips. These types of bidets are popularly called travel bidets. They hold about 13 ounces of water and they have a screw-on nozzle that you can spray.

Just fill it up with warm water and after using the bathroom point the nozzle at the region you want to clean. Squeeze the bottle and a stream of water will pour out and clean you up. You don’t have to stand up to this, sitting down and doing this is even more comfortable.

  • Electric bidets seats

This type is a bit costly. They come with remote control or buttons on a side control panel. It has a nozzle position button that allows you to adjust the nozzle position so you can get the best wipe. There is also a button you’ll press to push the water out so it can start cleaning your rear. This is the most stress-free bidet you can get.

Some fancier brands have an array of other features, such as a nightlight, heated seat, adjustable spray width and so on.

  • Non-electric bidet seats

As the name suggests, it has no remote control. Instead, it comes with a knob you’ll turn that will release water. The more you turn it, the higher the water pressure will be. Some brands also include knobs for water temperature and nozzle position.

  • Handheld bidet sprayer

This type of bidet works like a sprayer. You’ll connect it to your toilet’s water source. After using the toilet, just grab it and squeeze the handle to spray water on the area you want to clean.

Conclusion

The trash can is still the best place for you to dispose of your used flushable wipes. Just make sure you cover your waste properly so it isn’t exposed because flies will be attracted to it, thereby making your yard messy.

Besides, with bidets gaining popularity and being installed in homes nowadays, it is a much better alternative to flushable wipes and cheaper in the long run. With different types of bidets available, you can easily find the ones within your budget.