Hong Kong warns consumers on toilet roll brands that may clog drains

Four toilet paper brands were found to have a high tendency to clog drainpipes.

The Consumer Council advised consumers to try different toilet roll brands and models to find the best value and suitability for their usage and drainpipes.

The council tested 25 models of toilet rolls in Hong Kong and tested their absorbency, strength, softness, ease of disintegration in water, the amount of loose particles, and hygiene.

Four models with high strength in wet conditions failed to comply with the disintegration test. The council said that if large amounts of toilet paper were used or the toilet-flushing capacities were small, this could lead to clogging risks.

The four models include Andrex’s Classic Clean (3 ply), Select’s Deluxe Embossed Bathroom Tissue Unscented (3 ply), Avellana’s Bathroom Tissue (5 ply), and Junas’s Tissue (5ply).

In addition, the council also tested the softness of toilet paper which is particularly important to children, the elderly, or people with skin allergies or sensitive skin.

The results showed that four models (including three models of 4-ply and 1 model of 5-ply ) had low softness, and 3-ply models were generally softer than 4-ply and 5-ply models, whilst all models showed good performance in absorbency.