Search Engine Are flushable wipes actually flushable?
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Jan 30, 2026 A curious question sparks a cross-country investigation into the history and marketing of wet wipes. The hosts explore how branding, the pandemic, and celebrity mentions swelled wipe use. Sewer systems and treatment plants reveal why wipes cause clogs and fatbergs. Legal battles and industry standards reshape labeling and future product claims.
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Marketing Made Wipes Mainstream
- Flushable wipes exploded from niche to mainstream through clever marketing and pandemic shortages.
- Brands like Dude Wipes turned wipes into a normalized bathroom product and market force.
Dude Wipes Origin Story
- Sean Riley launched Dude Wipes to solve a dorm-room problem of baby wipes cluttering bathrooms.
- Shark Tank exposure and Mark Cuban's investment fueled Dude Wipes' rapid growth.
Wastewater Evidence Against Flushing
- Municipal systems show clear, visible evidence of wipes causing operational problems at screens and pumps.
- Pam Elardo asserts flushable wipes are not safe to flush for municipal wastewater systems.
