Flushable wet toilet paper has become more popular in recent years. Not only can it lessen the discomfort of cleaning intimate areas and be flushed directly down the toilet, but it can also be used for cleaning other parts of the body. As these products have become increasingly common in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), the Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) partnered with the Guangzhou Consumers Commission and the Macao SAR Government Consumer Council (CCM) for the first time to conduct a joint test on 22 models of wet toilet paper, focusing on the quality and hygiene. According to the results, all models were satisfactory in hygiene condition and quality performance, and the bacterial count still complied with relevant standard 2 weeks after opening. However, the model with the highest strength failed to comply with the Mainland standard for the disintegration performance, posing potential risks of clogging toilets and drainpipes. Furthermore, over half the models did not carry detailed lists of materials in either Chinese or English on the packaging. In case the product contained fragrance allergens or preservatives, it could adversely affect individuals with eczema or allergy, an area that should be improved. The Council also reminds consumers that some materials of wet toilet paper contain synthetic fibres, which may turn into microplastics and pollute the marine ecosystem, thus such products should be used prudently to reduce both cost and the impact on the environment.
The 22 tested models were labelled as “flushable” wet toilet paper products, of which 9 were purchased in Guangzhou by the Guangzhou Consumers Commission, 8 were purchased from personal care stores or supermarkets in Hong Kong by the HKCC, while 5 were sourced in Macau by the CCM. The models ranged from HK$4.3 to HK$38.9 per pack, averaging around $0.55 to $6.08 per 10 pieces, a difference exceeding 10-fold. As there are currently no relevant Mainland or international test standards established for wet toilet paper, the current test made reference to the Mainland’s standard for wet wipes and other relevant standards in testing the tensile strength, bursting strength, pH value, microbiological contamination, moisture content, and disintegration performance, while subjective experience assessments were also conducted on the products’ appearance and ease of use, etc. with 11 models receiving the highest overall rating of 5 points.
Some Models Tore More Easily When Pulling Out from the Package
1 Model with the Highest Strength Hard to Disintegrate
Wet toilet paper is mainly used for cleaning body parts after using the toilet. The tests for vertical and horizontal tensile strength and bursting strength allowed assessment on whether the models would easily tear or burst during use, which would affect the usage. Apart from 1 model made from cotton which showed significantly higher tensile strength and bursting strength, the other models, which were mainly made from virgin wood pulp, paper, non-woven fabric or plant fibre, displayed similar strengths[1] as dry toilet paper. During the subjective experience assessment, the testing panel also commented that some models exhibited relatively lower overall strength as they easily tore when being pulled out from the package, which may affect usage.
The most convenient aspect of wet toilet paper is that it could be discarded and flushed away into the toilet, so if it cannot disintegrate easily, it may lead to clogging of the toilet and drainpipes. To investigate the disintegration performance of the models in water, technicians placed samples of the test models into a slosh box containing a designated volume of water in accordance with the test standards, and oscillated the boxes at a designated frequency and magnitude. The samples were then poured through a sieve with 12.5mm perforations and the weight of the sample that could pass through the sieve was measured to assess the models’ disintegration performance in water. According to the standard, each model should be tested for 6 times, and at least 5 pieces of wet toilet paper should have 70% of its mass passing through the sieve. Test results showed that 21 models complied with the requirement, while only the 1 cotton-made model with the highest tensile strength and bursting strength failed to meet the 70% disintegration for all of its 6 tests.
Hygiene, pH Levels and Absorbency All Complied with Standards
Wet toilet paper might be in contact with intimate areas, thus the hygiene conditions are crucial. Microbiological tests were conducted on the models at the time of opening the packaging and 2 weeks after opening. The measured total bacterial count and fungal count of all samples were below 20CFU/g, which complied with the standard requirement of a bacterial count not exceeding 200CFU/g. None of the models were detected with coliform or pathogenic purulent bacteria, reflecting satisfactory hygiene and preservative efficacy among the models.
Products with excessively low or high pH values may irritate the skin. The pH values of the 22 models ranged from 4.2 to 7.5, all satisfactorily within the recommended pH range of wet wipes for human use according to relevant standard. Additionally, the difference in moisture content of the 22 models before and after drying ranged from 2.2 times to 3.4 times, all in compliance with the value (over 1.7 times) recommended in the relevant standards, which should be able to satisfy daily cleaning needs.
Over Half the Models Dispensed More than 1 Piece Each Time
Some Added with Fragrance Causing Discomfort
A panel of 10 testing personnel conducted subjective experience assessment based on the models’ appearance, dimensions, scent, ease of use and instant irritation of the skin. None of the models caused skin irritation on the user, yet the scent of some models received “unsatisfactory” ratings, as the panel opined that the added scent may cause discomfort for the user. In terms of the ease of use, majority of the models had unsatisfactory performance, as over half of them tended to dispense more than the single piece needed each time, or it was difficult to extract the wet tissue paper from the packaging, making them less convenient to use.
Over Half the Models Not Labelled with Detailed Ingredients
The labelling information of products provides consumers with crucial information such as the ingredients, how to use, usage period, etc. However, over half (12) of the models were not labelled with detailed lists of ingredients in Chinese or English. If the product contains fragrance allergens or preservatives, it may effect individuals with eczema or allergies. Furthermore, 1 model was not labelled with the expiry date. The HKCC recommends manufacturers to clearly label relevant information on the packaging so as to facilitate consumers in purchasing suitable products and use appropriately.
When choosing and using wet toilet paper, consumers can take note of the following:
- Most wet toilet paper products have a resealable opening to allow repeated use. Consumers should seal the opening carefully after each use to reduce bacterial contamination as well as to slow down the evaporation of moisture;
- The opening seal of the package may not be airtight enough to completely keep out bacteria, so opened packages should be used soon after opening and not to be stored for too long;
- If the user accidentally extracts more than 1 piece of wet tissue paper and puts it back into the packaging, it may contaminate other unused pieces;
- Refrain from placing wet toilet paper in direct sunlight to avoid evaporation of the moisture in the product, which could affect usage;
- Disinfectant wet wipes for household use, wet toilet paper, and personal care wet wipes have different functions and ingredients. Consumers should carefully read the claims on the packaging before choosing suitable products according to their own needs;
- Do not discard a large amount of toilet paper, either wet or dry, into the toilet in one go, to minimise the risk of clogging the drainpipes;
Synthetic fibres are not biodegradable, and even after disintegration, they may turn into microplastics and contaminate the marine environment. Also, some products may contain added preservatives and other chemicals which could potentially affect the marine ecosystem. Consumers should use in moderation to lower the impact on the environment.
Download the article (Chinese only): https://ccchoice.org/578-wet-toilet-paper
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[1] The vertical tensile strength of the 22 models ranged from 6.8N to 48.4N; the horizontal tensile strength ranged from 4.7N to 18.8N; the bursting strength ranged from 6N to 45N.