Marine toilet paper: camping rolls, bags and wet wipes

Why charter heads clog

Marine toilets have narrow hoses and a holding tank. Ordinary household toilet paper (and especially thick quilted rolls) often does not dissolve. One careless flush can block the pump or tank - an expensive, smelly repair and a deposit risk.

Many Mediterranean charter bases therefore say: paper goes in a bag, not in the bowl.

Pack camping / marine toilet paper

Bring (or confirm on board) camping or marine toilet paper designed to break down quickly in water.

• It is safer if someone flushes by mistake.
• Still follow the boat rule: if the base says "bag only", use bags even with camping paper.
• Thin single-ply camping rolls beat thick home brands every time.

Check the Toilet paper row under each cabin ensuite WC in your KeelTruth protocol at check-in.

Small bags for used paper

Keep a roll of small disposal bags (nappy / dog-waste style or thin bin liners) in every heads:

1. Used dry paper goes in the bag.
2. Tie and put the bag in the bin or a sealed waste bag.
3. Empty ashore with normal rubbish - never into the sea.

Without bags, guests flush paper "because there is nowhere else" - that is how clogs start.

Wet toilet paper / wet wipes

Wet toilet paper (and baby wipes) feel nicer after swimming, but almost never belong in the bowl - even "flushable" labels clog holding tanks.

• Use wet wipes for comfort, then put them in the same disposal bag.
• Prefer wipes marked biodegradable for shore disposal, but treat them as solid waste on board.
• Keep a small pack per cabin; it is a crew comfort win without risking the heads.

Skipper briefing (30 seconds)

Tell the crew on day one:

1. Nothing but a little water and waste goes in the bowl (no paper, no wipes, no cotton).
2. Paper and wipes go in the small bag by the toilet.
3. If unsure, ask - a blocked heads ruins the week.

A few camping rolls and a pack of small bags cost little. A blocked holding tank does not.