Regular tampons should never be flushed down a toilet or a septic system. Since such products don’t biodegrade, they’ll end up getting stuck and blocking your home’s sewers.
Luckily, though, an organic tampon won’t cause the same issues. While it’s still not advised to dispose of hygiene products by flushing them, a tampon made from 100% cotton won’t cause your septic tank to back up.
So, with that in mind, in this guide, we go through the best septic safe tampons and help you choose which one is ideal for you.
Let’s begin!
1. Tampax Pure Organic Tampons
Tampax is our top choice because it’s completely organic, meaning it’s both septic-safe and environmentally friendly.
Regular tampons contain amounts of chlorine, bleach, dyes, and scented fragrances. On the other hand, a cotton-based tampon, like Tampax Pure, is chemical-free and 100% plant-based. Even the applicator is 90% organic and biodegradable.
Additionally, Tampax Pure is highly absorbable and produces minimal shedding. Because it has tabs on the wrapper and grips on the applicator, Tampax is easy to both open and use. The product is also available in two different sizes: regular and super.
Tampax Pure only has two absorbency levels, though, meaning it won’t be able to sustain heavy flows. While super Tampax is good for athletes and active women, it’s not ideal for strong menstrual cycles.
Pros
- A 100% cotton-based, organic, and biodegradable tampon
- The box and applicator are made from recycled materials
- Budget-friendly and guarantees painless insertion
Cons
- Not an ideal tampon for those with heavy flows
2. Lola Organic Cotton Tampons
Lola is a women-owned business that offers you the chance to get a subscription box of their tampons. Unlike other products here, you can customize your Lola tampons to your liking and have them delivered right to your door!
Not only that, but Lola tampons are chemical and fragrance-free. Plus, they contain no synthetic fibers. Similar to Tampax Pure, Lola’s products are organic and biodegradable, making them septic-safe.
Additionally, the applicator is made from BPA-free plastic, meaning these tampons are eco-friendly. They’re also versatile as you can choose from light, medium, super, and super-plus tampons.
Just like Tampax, Lola isn’t the best for heavy flows. The material may cause leaks and needs to be constantly changed due to its compact design too.
Pros
- Biodegradable and organic tampons
- Customizable subscription box delivered every three months
- Inexpensive with a cylindrical shape design
Cons
- Risk of a leaking incident
3. o.b. Organic Non-Applicator Tampons
o.b. tampons stand out from other organic products thanks to their design. Not only are they made from 92% plant-based materials, but o.b. tampons don’t have an applicator. In other words, there’s no plastic that might get stuck in the septic system.
Instead, o.b. tampons have a long string for easy insertion and removal. Plus, this product can provide protection for up to eight hours and you can rest fine through the night with it. The cotton used is chlorine and scent-free.
Similar to Tampax, o.b. tampons are available in regular, super, and supersize. Yet, they still come in a compact design that makes them simple to carry around and store. Since o.b. also uses cotton, its material doesn’t cause chaffing or long-term irritation.
Despite the useful non-applicator feature, o.b. tampons aren’t as absorbent as other products, such as Lola, for instance. So, active women won’t benefit much from this tampon.
Pros
- Organic, plant-based material that’s septic safe
- Plastic and chemical-free, making it eco-friendly
- Biodegradable and not irritable
Cons
- Not suitable for athletic women
4. Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons
If you value sustainability and good absorbance, Seventh Generation tampons are a great choice for you. Much like o.b. organic tampons, Seventh’s applicator is made from 95% plant-based materials.
Seventh Generation products, similar to Lola and Tampax, also don’t contain any chemicals, dyes, fragrances, or chlorine bleach. In other words, they’re safe and you won’t risk getting a toxic shock from using them.
What makes Seventh Generation tampons stand out, though, is that they’re hypoallergenic, which makes them perfect for sensitive women. They also feature a dual-layer design that helps prevent leaks.
Unlike the other budget-friendly items listed before, Seventh Generation organic tampons can be pretty expensive. While they’re comfortable and use recyclable packaging, their hygiene products are pricey.
Pros
- Septic safe, as the whole tampon is biodegradable
- Unscented and chemical-free so won’t irritate the skin
- Highly absorbent and leak-proof
Cons
- Compared to average tampon prices, they’re expensive
What Should I Look For in a Septic Safe Tampon?
A septic-safe tampon should always be an organic one. With cotton tampons, however, you’ll need to keep in mind a few factors since they can differ from regular tampons.
Longevity
With plant-based material, it can be difficult to find an organic tampon that’s highly absorbent and that’ll last long.
While cotton tampons should be changed every 2-4 hours as well, an ill-fitting one will cause leaks.
So, make sure you pick out a tampon that doesn’t just work for you, but will also take care of your flow whether light or heavy. You should consider how hectic your day can get too.
Material
Organic tampons are ideal women’s hygiene products because they’re biodegradable and their material is eco-friendly.
Additionally, they’re typically unscented, meaning they won’t disturb your pH levels.
Plus, most cotton tampons now come with no plastic applicator or feature a BPA-free one. This reduces the risk of menstrual toxic shock syndrome.
Summary
In this guide, we went through the best septic safe tampons in hopes that you can pick out the ideal hygiene product that won’t clog up your septic system.
That said, we recommend getting Tampax Pure. Everything is biodegradable from the tampon itself to the box. In other words, it’s all eco-friendly and completely recyclable.
Another superb choice would be Seventh Generation cotton tampons. They’re also septic-safe and ideal for women with sensitive skin.
Don’t forget your hot water bottle!