Is it better to flush or throw away Kleenex?

Author: Eusebio Leuschke Sr.  |  Last update: Monday, August 18, 2025

Although paper towels, napkins, and facial tissue appear to be the same material, but they do not disintegrate in water like toilet paper. Any items flushed other than toilet paper can create costly clogs in your home pipes, our community sewer pipes, and our water reclamation facilities.

Is it better to flush or throw away tissues?

Do not flush paper towels, wipes or facial tissues—they clog your pipes and our pumps! As toilet paper is now so hard to find, many District residents and employees are turning to alternatives. If you must use something other than toilet paper, please be sure to discard it in the trash.

Should Kleenex be flushed down the toilet?

Even though some of these products are marketed as “flushable,” there is no such thing as a flushable wipe, a flushable paper towel or a flushable facial tissue. These products should never be flushed under any circumstances. If they don't clog your toilet, they may clog the sewer lateral to your home.

How do you dispose of Kleenex tissues?

Kleenex® Tissue is made with biodegradable cellulose fibers. Because the tissue is made with an additive to make it strong, it will not break down as rapidly as bathroom tissue. Therefore, we suggest you discard Kleenex® Tissue in the trash.

Is Kleenex better than toilet paper?

Tissues from a ``Kleenex'' type tissue box are overall better for facial hygiene. It is probably a better choice to prevent health issues in the long run. Sheet for sheet, however, toilet paper is probably less expensive.

Dump WASHING POWDER into your Toilet and WATCH WHAT HAPPENS 💥

Why is Kleenex not flushable?

Kleenex® Tissue is made with biodegradable cellulose fibers. However, because the tissue is made with an additive to make it strong, it will not break down as rapidly as bathroom tissue. Therefore, we suggest you discard Kleenex® Tissue in the trash.

Is it OK to put used tissues in the toilet?

Tissues were designed to absorb fluids, not dissolve in fluids like toilet paper. It is recommended to not flush tissues down the toilet, as it can lead to clogs and other plumbing issues. It's a household conundrum that has puzzled many: Can you flush tissues down the toilet?

Is Kleenex toilet paper flushable?

Our Kleenex® Flushable Wipes deliver a cleaner, 'shower fresh' feeling. These lightly moistened wipes are hypoallergenic, paper based, and are great for the whole family. Able to be flushed in the toilet, they are easy and convenient to use. Flush a maximum of two wipes at a time.

How should you dispose of used tissues?

During the COVID-19/coronavirus outbreak it is particularly important to dispose of personal waste, such as used tissues, protective masks and disposable cleaning cloths properly. These items should never go in your recycling bin anyway as they cannot be recycled, and should always go in the general waste bin.

Where to throw tissues?

The truth is, tissues are essentially paper, and unused, these can definitely be recycled with the rest of your paper recycling (though I'm not sure why you'd be recycling unused tissues). Dirty tissues covered in your germy snot, however, should not be recycled.

What to not flush down the toilet?

Here's what you shouldn't flush:
  • Bags / wrappings and cardboard.
  • Band-aids and bandage wrappers.
  • Cleaning wipes.
  • Condoms.
  • Cotton balls, swabs and pads.
  • Dental floss and teeth whitening strips.
  • Disposable diapers, nursing pads, and baby wipes.
  • Facial wipes.

Can Kleenex go in septic?

Dryer sheets, facial tissues and paper towels do not break down easily in septic systems.

Where do you put Kleenex?

How to dispose of or recycle Kleenex or tissue
  1. Best Option. Green Organics Cart. Put this item in your green organics cart. ...
  2. Other Options. Backyard Composting. ...
  3. Special Instructions. All tissue and paper towel must be bagged in a brown paper bag or a compostable bag before they are placed in the green organics cart.

Is it OK to flush a Kleenex?

Although paper towels, napkins, and facial tissue appear to be the same material, but they do not disintegrate in water like toilet paper. Any items flushed other than toilet paper can create costly clogs in your home pipes, our community sewer pipes, and our water reclamation facilities.

Which brand of toilet paper breaks down the fastest?

Look no further, with Scott Rapid Dissolving TP it breaks up 4 times faster than the leading TP!

Why do some people not flush toilet paper?

Some places have narrow pipes, or they don't have systems that can break down toilet paper easily, so it's customary to throw your toilet paper into a waste bin, not the toilet, or use a bidet instead.

How to dispose of used Kleenex?

Separation – Used tissue should be separated from other waste, such as food scraps or recyclable items. Place it in a designated waste bin rather than mixing it with other materials. Immediate Disposal – Throw away used tissues right away, especially if they have been in contact with bodily fluids.

Can we dispose tissue in toilet?

Cotton buds, tissues and wet wipes aren't flushable. These items don't disintegrate like toilet paper. Don't even think about putting them anywhere near your loo. The same goes for paper towel and dental floss which also don't break down in water.

What should you do to the used tissues?

Used tissues should be placed in the general waste bin. Used kitchen towel can be placed in the food waste recycling bin.

Is it OK to wipe with Kleenex?

The truth is that tissues, a paper towel, wet wipes, or scraps of fabric will all do the job just fine (with varying degrees of comfort). But—and this is very important—don't flush any alternative toilet paper down the toilet.

What is the lawsuit about flushable wipes?

After more than four years of litigation, on March 14, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted final approval to a class action settlement whereby Kimberly-Clark agreed to pay up to $17.5 million in cash reimbursements to consumers who purchased recalled lots of Cottonelle wipes.

Should you throw tissues in the toilet?

Paper is the only other waste you should flush down the toilet. The paper that you flush should only ever be 100% tissue paper, so no newspapers, magazines, tissues, or wipes. Toilet paper can be flushed, but if you're somebody who likes to use toilet wipes, they should never be flushed.

Is Kleenex flushable?

Even though it may surprise you, the following household items are not designed to break down after you flush them down the toilet: Paper towels and facial tissues.

In which bin should I throw a used tissue?

Can tissues be recycled? Although tissues are made of paper they are made of very short fibres which are not high enough quality to be recycled and therefore should be placed in the waste bin.

Is it okay to use tissue after pooping?

Yes. A thousand times, yes! Wiping is about more than just helping you clean up after you use the toilet – it's also to protect your health. Wiping improperly can increase the risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and vaginitis in women, and UTIs, itching and general discomfort in men.

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