Charmin Flushable Wipes Lawsuit Says Wipes Can Clog Pipes

According to a class action Charmin flushable wipes lawsuit, the wipes are not truly flushable and may cause damage to plumbing.

In 2015, lead plaintiff Jamie Pettit filed a class action Charmin flushable wipes lawsuit against Procter & Gamble Co., alleging that their “flushable” wipes are not flushable as advertised. According to the complaint, the wipes can cause stoppages in plumbing and septic systems.

Pettit argues that Charmin sells their “flushable” wipes at a premium price compared to non-flushable products. Since they are sold a premium price, they should be suitable for their advertised use, the complaint argues.

“Despite the label, however, the wipes are not actually suitable for flushing down a toilet. Specifically, Defendants’ wipes do not disperse, i.e., break apart, upon flushing,” the class action Charmin flushable wipes lawsuit states.

According to the class action, the wipes can clog and damage plumbing systems, fail to break down in septic tanks, damage septic pumps, catch on screens in city sewage lines, and damage city sewage lines. Pettit argues that the wipes’ potential to damage both residential and city sewage lines and plumbing is in violation of public codes. Damage done by the wipes to plumbing and sewage systems can cost hundred to thousands of dollars to repair, she claims.

The complaint argues that the word “flushable” means “suitable for disposable by flushing down a toilet,” not simply capable of traversing the septic system.

“The concept that ‘flushable’ means that a product safely passes from home toilet to its endpoint, either by properly disintegrating in a septic tank or passing without incident to the municipal sewer system, is one that is uniformly accepted by wastewater treatment system operators and the wipes industry,” the class action Charmin flushable wipes lawsuit states. It claims that to be labeled as “flushable,” products must disperse quickly and easily like toilet paper, which disperses within minutes.

Pettit argues that the wipes are falsely advertised as “flushable” when they do not adhere to the linguistic or industry standard for being flushable. Since the wipes allegedly do not properly break down in the septic system, advertising them as flushable is deceptive and false, the complaint argues.

The class action Charmin flushable wipes lawsuit argues that consumers were reliant on the advertising and depictions on the wipes’ packaging. They reasonably assumed that the wipes were flushable, as advertised, and were allegedly deceived.

Pettit seeks to represent a Class of people in California who purchased the Charmin wipes between Apr. 6, 2011 and the data of the filing. The class action Charmin flushable wipes lawsuit seeks restitution, compensatory damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

The Charmin Flushable Wipes Class Action Lawsuit is Pettit, et al. v. Proctor & Gamble, et al., Case No. 3:15-cv-02150-RS, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

UPDATE: On Oct. 31, 2018, consumers have secured a settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging Charmin’s so-called flushable wipes are not as plumbing friendly as advertised.

UPDATE 2: December 2018, the Charmin Freshmates Flushable Wipes class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.

UPDATE 3: On June 29, 2019, Top Class Actions viewers started receiving checks from a Charmin flushable wipes class action settlement worth as much as $4.60. Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got PAID!

Join a Free Charmin Flushable Wipes Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased Charmin flushable wipes that damaged your sewer or septic system, you may be eligible to join a free flushable wipes class action lawsuit investigation.

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