No, baby wipes belong in the garbage, even when the pack says flushable or biodegradable. The good news is that binning gets easy once the bin is sitting exactly where the wipes get used. Here is why wipes and toilets do not mix, and how to set up the changing table and the bathroom so nobody is tempted.
The short answer
Put the used wipe in a lined bin with a lid, along with the diaper if you are changing one. That applies to every kind of wipe in the house: baby wipes, toddler wipes and wipes for adults. Only toilet paper goes down the toilet, along with what your body puts there. The bin means the garbage, not the recycling or the green bin, unless your municipality's list says wipes are accepted.
Why wipes and toilets do not mix
Toilet paper is made to fall apart in water quickly. A wipe is made to stay in one piece when it is wet, which is exactly why it works on a messy change. It is also why a wipe can stay in one piece in a pipe.
A wipe that clears the bowl can still catch on a rough spot in a pipe or on other wipes and build up into a blockage over time. Many municipalities ask residents to put wipes in the garbage, so it is worth checking your own city's website.
What about wipes labelled flushable
A flushable label is the maker's description of the wipe. It is not a promise about your plumbing. Your pipes, your toilet and your municipal system or septic tank all play a part, and the pack knows nothing about any of them.
The simplest rule is one rule for everyone: wipes go in the bin, whatever the pack says. That is easier to teach to children, babysitters and houseguests than a list of exceptions.
Put a lidded bin where the wipes get used
It is tempting to flush a wipe when the bin is across the room. Move the bin, and the habit follows.
- At the changing station: keep a lined bin or diaper pail within arm's reach, so the used wipe never has to travel. If you already use a pail for diapers, the wipe can go in with the diaper.
- In the bathroom: put a small lidded bin beside the toilet, lined with a bag you can tie off and lift out.
- On the go: carry a small bag in the diaper bag for used wipes until you find a bin.
The Diaper Pails & Refills collection lists refills for pails. One example is Diaper Genie Essentials Round Refill, Unscented, 4 Pack. Check the product page to confirm which pail a refill suits before you order.
Shop this guide
- Whoopsie Wipes 100% Cotton Dry Baby Wipes, 600 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Nora's Nursery Pail Liner for Cloth Diapers, Waterproof, 2 Pk (ships via Amazon)
- Summer by Ingenuity My Size Potty Pro Training Toilet, White (ships via Amazon)
- Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes, Fragrance Free, 1008 Wipes (12 Packs) (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Baby Wipes
- See all: Diaper Pails & Refills
- See all: Potty Training
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Potty training and wipes in the bathroom
Many toddlers who are learning to use the toilet are keen to flush whatever is within reach. A short routine helps: paper goes in the toilet, wipes go in the bin, then wash hands. Say it the same way each time and point to the bin as you say it.
Put the bin where a small person can reach it, next to a step stool if they use one. Keep the wipes pack out of reach between uses, since a curious toddler can pull out a lot of wipes at once. You can browse the Baby Wipes collection if you are restocking for the bathroom.
Septic systems and cottage plumbing
If your home or cottage uses a septic system, be even stricter. Anything that does not break down quickly can build up in the tank or the pipes. Cottages and older plumbing can be less forgiving too, so ask your septic service provider or the cottage owner what the system can handle.
At a cottage with guests, make the bin impossible to miss. A lidded bin right beside the toilet, with a bag already in it, does more than any reminder.
Keeping odour down in the bin
- Line the bin with a bag, and tie it off before you carry it out.
- Empty it often rather than waiting until it is full.
- Wash the bin and the inside of the lid with soap and water when you change the bag.
- Keep the bin away from radiators and sunny windows, since warmth can make smells stronger.
A diaper pail is built for this job: it holds used diapers and wipes behind a lid, and many models take refill bags. The listing for Diaper Genie Easy Roll Diaper Pail Refill, 30 Bags is another refill to look at. Follow the pail's own instructions for changing the bag.
Common questions
What if I flushed a wipe by mistake?
It happens. Keep an eye on how the toilet and nearby drains behave over the next while, and if you notice slow draining or a backup, call a plumber and mention that a wipe went down. Then move a bin within reach so it is less likely to happen again.
Is one wipe now and then really a problem?
You cannot tell from the bowl. A wipe that disappears may pass through, or it may lodge further along where you cannot see it, and the next one can catch on it. Since there is no way to check, the simplest answer is not to flush any.
Can I flush the wipe if I tear it into pieces?
Smaller pieces of a wipe still do not fall apart the way toilet paper does, and they can gather in the same places. Bin it whole.
Can dry wipes, cotton pads or paper towels go down the toilet?
No. The one rule covers them too: only toilet paper goes down the toilet. None of them is made to fall apart in water the way toilet paper is, so they go in the bin with the wipes.
If you would like help choosing wipes or a pail setup that suits your home, contact us and we will point you in the right direction.