Does Bamboo Toilet Paper Block Drains?

Apr 17, 2025

Find Out Now if Bamboo Toilet Paper is Safe for Drains and Septic Tanks 

New to the world of bamboo toilet paper and keen to stop throwing trees down the toilet? Worried about whether bamboo toilet paper might block drains or toilets? Good question! Let’s flush those worries away. 

 

Does Bamboo Toilet Paper Block Drains or Toilets? 

Fair question – you’re most likely used to buying paper-based toilet tissue, safe in the knowledge that you know that this doesn’t often block drains. This might mean you’re reluctant to shift your purchasing habits by making the switch.  

But here’s the straight-talking truth: bamboo toilet paper does not block drains. It’s totally plumbing safe and plays nice with your pipes, whether you’re on a mains sewage system or a trusty septic tank. So you can flush with confidence, not crossed fingers. 
 
How? 

  1. Because bamboo toilet paper, like ours at Cheeky Panda, is 100% biodegradable. That means it naturally decomposes / breaks down faster than you can say tree-free wipe. No weird chemicals. No nasty fibres. No cloggy drama. Nada. Nil. Zero. Just planet-friendly paper doing what it’s meant to do — disappear and leave no trace that it was ever around in the first place    

 

 

  1. High flush force = high power = high breakdown! When you hit the chain and see that swirling motion in the bowl, this is already starting the breakdown of your toilet paper, tearing it into smaller pieces and making sure it doesn’t clump up. It then all gets a bit science-y, depending on if you have gravity or pressure systems, but basically the swirling and force of the flush means your toilet paper is breaking down, ensuring it has a smooth journey to the waste treatment plant. 

Why Bamboo Toilet Paper is Safe for Plumbing and Septic Tanks 

We get it — anyone could claim their toilet roll’s drain-safe. But we’ve got the receipts. 

We put our 3-ply bamboo toilet paper through a Slosh Box Disintegration Test (yes, it’s a thing) to see how fast it breaks down in water. Verdict? 100% pass rate. 

And for our 2-ply? We sent it down a Toilet Bowl and Drainline Clearance Test (imagine a toilet obstacle course — but for science). The result? No clogs. No dramas. No plumber required. 

So, unless you’re trying to flush an entire roll at once (don’t), bamboo toilet paper is as drain-friendly as it gets, and you can safely take that plumber off speed dial. 

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Septic Tank Safe? 

Absolutely. Bamboo toilet paper is septic tank safe. In fact, it’s better than your average tree-based roll because it’s made from natural, rapidly renewable, biodegradable bamboo fibres that break down quickly and cleanly. No bleach. No synthetic nonsense. No “forever chemicals” making a mess of your system. 

If your septic setup can handle regular loo roll, it’ll be more than fine with bamboo. But, as always, if you’re unsure, give your septic tank provider a quick ring for peace of mind.

Which Toilet Papers Are Bad for Your Drains? 

Now, while bamboo’s out here being a plumbing MVP, some tree-based toilet papers just aren’t pulling their weight. Ultra-plush, mega-thick, “luxury” loo rolls might feel like wiping with a cloud, but they won't play as nicely with your pipes. 

They’re slower to break down, prone to clogging older pipes, and often packed with dyes and additives your loo never asked for. Trust us: thick, tree-based toilet paper is the ultimate party crasher for your plumbing, so are best avoided especially if you have an older house or previous toilet issues. 


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