Is preventing a clogged head as simple as changing what you do with toilet paper? It can be.
Don’t Flush Toilet Paper
You’ll be a lot less likely to have clogs if you don’t put toilet paper down the head. Instead, do what people in many parts of the world with undersized sewer systems do. Use a lidded wastebasket lined with a plastic bag. Then burn it or otherwise dispose of it daily. A few drops of eucalyptus oil or other air freshener will cover any smell. Tell guests with a polite sign in the head (see below).
Yes, this is a photo of the head in our first boat, Que Tal (we now have a composting toilet on Barefoot Gal). We always put the TP in the trash and so did almost all cruisers in the Sea of Cortez; the joke was that when we’d make a trip to the US or Canada, we’d have a hard time remembering to flush the TP!
Our Thinking on the Subject
I know, a lot of people are going to say “yuck!” And others will say they’ve flushed the TP for years without a clogged head. Dave and I agreed that since Que Tal had only one head, we’d be cautious and not flush paper. After all, neither of us wanted to sweat over an un-flushed toilet in 90+ degree temps. And we hated the idea of using a bucket during the process even more. If you’re willing to risk having to unclog it — in most cruising locales you can’t just call a plumber and let them deal with it — your choice may be different. I’ve also heard of boats that allow flushing but impose a 2-square limit. I find that idea MUCH more repulsive than putting it in a covered container!
Educating Guests
Here’s a close up of our sign. We made two copies of it, one above the pump handle and one where they’d see it while sitting on the toilet. Of course, your flushing instructions will be different but it’s good to post them (ours were particularly strange due to a strange siphon break). Every head is slightly different. And even other cruisers may want instructions on how to use yours. We had the signs laminated so they’d last longer (as you can see, it’s time to re-do them!).
Cruiser Tips
Of course, every cruiser has their favorite tip on the topic (I swear toilet habits cause more arguments than anchor types). Here are a few thoughts from The Boat Galley Readers.
Bruce wrote from the Philippines, where even people on land don’t flush toilet paper. He found it basically odor-free. He continued that toilet paper is a luxury for much of the world. And that a water rinse is a good alternative.
Carlos Nunez agreed with the advice to not use toilet paper. He also recommended a vinegar rinse twice a year to break up calcium deposits that can also contribute to a clogged head.
And Jim stated that he kept a spray bottle next to the toilet and a hanging plastic shopping bag for the toilet paper. He mixed about a 10 to 15% solution of water and vinegar and added 3 or 4 oz of Dawn dishwashing liquid to the bottle. He sprayed the toilet after use and paper in the bag to keep down the odor and aid in disinfection.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great signs!
Carolyn Shearlock says
It’s a weird siphon break that I’ve never seen on another boat.
Sue says
We have to put the finger over the hole in the siphon break too. We put a blob of bluetac over it when we have guests and discreetly check after they gave been to the head.
Carolyn Shearlock says
🙂
Anonymous says
Does the siphon break create a sinking prevention advantage?
Carolyn Shearlock says
Exactly.
AKMary says
Burce – After your rinse, do you drip-dry? Use a towel? Thanks.
Mike says
I find that a can of Coke in the head once a season clears any blockages. To make the pump run smoothly use 1 Tbsp cooking oil in the bowl & flush through.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’ve used various brands of composting toilets on friends’ boats (we didn’t have one) and talked to many others about them as well. Everyone who has one seems to like it — the biggest thing seems to be finding the absorbent material (whether it be peat, coconut husks or something else) in some out of the way places. One friend uses sawdust which she says works well and they’ve been able to find everywhere.
If they’re done right, there isn’t any smell and there is nothing to clog. Just have to find a place to dispose of the bag. From what I can gather, a composting toilet is legal in no discharge zones where you otherwise have to show proof of pump outs (but don’t just take my word on this — check where you are and where you plan to cruise — as I did a quick general check, not specific to any particular place).
The Boat Galley says
It’s in the anti-siphon valve, non-standard, and the anti-siphon works so well that it won’t draw water unless you cover it up. Since no one else has ever seen anything else like it, have to give directions or else it won’t flush.
The Boat Galley says
I just can’t “Like” that. Yuck is right!
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’ve never had one so can’t say with any certainty. I know that aboard a friend’s boat, with an electric head, they also follow the no TP in the head rule, but I don’t know if it’s for clog prevention or if they just don’t want it taking up space in the holding tank.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I think that you mistook my description of flushing a Lavac head — ours was a slightly unusual installation with a non-standard siphon break that required us to put a finger over the hole as we pumped. A normal installation does not have that.
In seven years, we never had a problem with the Lavac head other than once changing the seal on the lid. Never had a clog or had to change the joker valve. Never had a time when it couldn’t be used.
Don’t decide against one based on how we had to flush — look at a standard installation. I’d much prefer it over the Raritan in our current boat!
Florian Wolf says
I am currently going along the same route with our ‘posh electric toilet’ that my sweetie so much wanted (grrr,,,), with the only difference that the lovely toilet paper dumped in the bowl subsequently ground the macerator to a hold & subsequently burned out the motor. Now I have to take the whole shit (literally…) apart, fix what I can fix, but most likely will use the whole shebang as a ‘boat anchor’ & replace it with a lovely, mechanical all bronze & porcelain pump toilet w. walnut seat, manufactured by Sands in the US in 1924 & lovingly restored by me. On a 1923 ship THIS is appropriate, not the modern electrical crap manufactured by GMC & others. And as of today no paper will ever again go down the hole, but only into an appropriately labelled bin. scented bin
Burt Tandy says
The one thing most dealers of electric toilet and most skippers won’t talk about is how solid solid from a very healthy passenger will sit across the toilet drain or straight as a resisting soldier that no amount of flushing will push down. The other funny and interesting one is the small floating fellow who laughs at you and all your efforts to send him down the drain. In just a few months of use, we’ve had about 8 cases of very embarassing situations, no TP involved in the problem with visitors. Makes you regret the porta potti that you just shake in such a case.
Florian Wolf says
Nope – we have an electric TMC too, and it will go flying out of the ship after TP clogged up the macerator AND THE MOTOR BURNED OUT ! We will go 1924 mechanic (fully restored Sands marine toilet, white porcelain, polished bronze and walnut seat & lid) again and have an appropriately selected bucket with fragrance side by side with ‘the throne’. Not to forget about an appropriately elaborate sign on the wall, probably in brass on a mahogany board or whatever timber fits the bill and looks good. My wife is the modern ‘pooper’, I am quite old-school and have sailed on several bucket and pump-toilet equipped ships – works all fine as long as some restraint and discipline is exercised. The golden rule on the classic yawl I crewed on for many years was: whoever screws up the toilet has to fix it – the verdict was enforced by our not always diplomatic ex-German Navy bosun, and I can guarantee you that this all worked very fine and flawlessly. While I am normally not a great fan of too much inflexibility I must consent that when it comes to the potty on board that’s when the fun stops.
Marc J. Kornutik says
🤢🤮
BoBo Bailey says
….and, shake with the RIGHT!
The Boat Galley says
I know some people do. Far more of the people I know do not put TP in the toilet; therefore, you won’t see clogs from them.
The Boat Galley says
I would not say barbaric, but that’s perhaps because I do it and many places I’ve lived, it’s also the custom on shore. No, you don’t have to do it but realize that many people do.
Mike Turner says
My grand daughter visited and in spite of repeated warnings the seven year old clogged it big time! I’m still trying to make the remainder of the clog go away. I may do it before her next visit!
Mike Turner says
Perhaps we should return to the wet sponge on a stick for sanitary consideration.
Wayne Broadhead says
Seven years live aboard. Two vacuflush heads. Cheapest Walmart single ply tissue down the heads and no plugs. We flush each head with lots of water during each pump out. We flush when the tank is empty and there is lots of vacuum. It seems to flush out residue that builds up in the system.
Mark DeCicco says
YUK save dirty T. P. Bet you have 0 guests. I’ve been Live aboard for years, owned boats with heads for 30 plus years. I’ve had 4 memorable experiences with clogged heads…. never been caused by TP. 1 Lady’s product, 2 by baby wipe, 1 a clogged line saltwater flush “ calcium buildup”
Linsay Patterson says
Yes, but when does EVERYONE do it the correct way?
I brought in a “2 squares rule”, thinking that some people will always go up to double the limit, and had far less issues after that.
But some think it’s just like the one at home!
Carey Moluchi says
I like: “We aim to please, so will you aim too please”
Anonymous says
Bruce,
I would add that in the “first plus world” (obv Japan) the exact same water technique is used except with a small pressurized hose. There is an Asian saying that may be TMI but here goes. “Wipe with paper—never clean.”
“Toilets in Japan are generally more elaborate than toilets in other developed nations” citation below.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilets_in_Japan
Carolyn Shearlock says
The prior owner had installed it and deliberated created a larger siphon break.
Patrick Marlowe says
Toilet paper is not the problem. It’s the type of toilet paper that causes the problem. Our boat had two of the three toilets clog within days of purchase. We use Scott’s RV Marine toilet paper and not had a clog in 4 years of near full time cruising. This type of paper fully dissolves and does not clog. You should at least talk about this as many people would like an alternative. We actually fly toilet paper back to the Caribbean because marine grade TP is so expensive there.