Costco’s Kirkland Signature toilet paper can clog pipes, particularly in older or low-flow plumbing systems. Because it is a thick, ultra-soft 2-ply tissue, it requires ample water to dissolve completely. Using too much or having low-flow toilets can cause it to snag in flat or horizontal pipe sections.
Shoppers often criticize Costco's Kirkland Signature toilet paper for its excessive lint and paper dust. While it offers great value, users frequently report that the tissue has become thinner, tears too easily, and is not suitable for all plumbing systems.
Plumbers strongly advise against flushing ultra-plush, 3-ply, or heavily quilted toilet papers (such as Charmin Ultra Soft/Strong and Kirkland Signature). These premium, highly absorbent brands are designed to be thick and durable, meaning they dissolve slowly and are notorious for forming stubborn clogs in pipes and septic systems.
Costco’s Kirkland Signature toilet paper isn't necessarily "bad" for everyone, but it has faced consumer complaints and independent testing scrutiny. Critics point out that the paper can create excessive lint and dust, which some users claim causes skin irritation, and flags have been raised regarding low levels of PFAS.
Most plumbers recommend 1-ply or 2-ply toilet paper that breaks down quickly in water. Look for options labeled “septic safe” or “rapid-dissolving”—these reduce the risk of buildup in your pipes and are better for both standard and older plumbing systems.
To prevent clogs, opt for 1-ply paper, 100% recycled paper, or bamboo bath tissue. These materials dissolve rapidly and place far less stress on your plumbing. Avoid ultra-plush, highly absorbent, or thick multi-ply papers, as they take much longer to break down and frequently cause pipe blockages.
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.
Gynecologists recommend choosing white, unscented, and unbleached toilet paper to maintain vaginal health. To prevent irritation, burning, or recurrent infections, doctors suggest avoiding heavily dyed, fragranced, or "ultra-soft" papers that leave behind lint.
Europeans primarily use toilet paper, but they heavily supplement or enhance it with water for superior hygiene. In many countries, bidet fixtures, bidet showers, or wet wipes are utilized to clean up before drying with paper.
Costco’s Kirkland Signature toilet paper is not manufactured by a single company. Instead, Costco partners with several major tissue and paper manufacturers to produce its highly popular bath tissue, including:
The most advanced washlets can mix the water jet with soap for an improved cleaning process. The washlet can replace toilet paper completely, but many users opt to use both wash and paper in combination—although use of paper may be omitted for cleaning of the vulva.
Ultra-Soft or Plush Toilet Paper
Ultra-soft varieties are often thick and don't dissolve easily. They can clog pipes and contribute to buildup over time, especially in homes with smaller or older pipes. If you're experiencing frequent clogs, it might be time to switch to a more plumbing-friendly toilet paper.
Caboo toilet paper uses plastic free packaging and is septic safe, chemical free, biodegradable, hypoallergenic, BPA-free, fragrance free, paraben free, elemental chlorine free, eco friendly, earth friendly, and non-GMO project verified.
Yes, many shoppers report that Costco’s Kirkland Signature toilet paper has become noticeably thinner, lintier, and less absorbent. Customers have tracked changes to the paper's overall weight, sheet count, and physical roll thickness over the last few years.
Plumbers often advise against using Charmin toilet paper because it is known for being particularly thick and plush, which can lead to clogs in plumbing systems.
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue.
Muslims use water instead of, or in addition to, toilet paper to clean themselves after using the restroom. This practice, called Istinja, is rooted in Islamic hygiene and purity laws.
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Yes, Kirkland Signature toilet paper is safe for standard plumbing and carries official "septic-safe" certifications. However, it does have a polarizing reputation among consumers.
Muslims purify themselves after using the toilet using a practice called Istinja. The Islamic tradition places a strong emphasis on personal hygiene, and the protocol involves washing with water using the left hand.
Yes, an estimated 70% of the world does not use dry toilet paper to wipe. Instead, many cultures across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Europe prioritize washing with water.
Before modern toilet paper, humans used readily available natural materials—including leaves, moss, sand, seashells, snow, and sticks—or water to clean themselves, depending on their environment and social status. Historical options ranged from Roman sponges on a stick (tersorium) to corn cobs, old rags, and, later, newspapers.
Look for labeling like elementally chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF). PFAS-free toilet paper is best for your health and water safety. Choose plastic-free packaging and sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled paper.
First, let's figure out the numbers. Most people use the toilet about 5 times a day, but anything in the 4-10 range is deemed “normal”. And the average person is said to use nearly 7 sheets1 per wipe – approximately 6.41 sheets per toileting occasion for women, and 8.1 sheets per occasion for men.
To prevent intimate irritation, switch to unbleached, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic bamboo toilet paper. Conventional toilet paper is often treated with chlorine bleach, dyes, and synthetic fragrances that disrupt your natural pH. Also, avoid leaving residual lint behind, as this can worsen existing sensitivity.