7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Sydney Blocked Drains Plumber on 18 Sep 2024

Toilets are a typical household fixture that we all regularly use. We tend to think of its use for granted, but it’s vital to remember that it’s no garbage can. Certain things should never be flushed down the drain as they can cause blockage within the drainage system or damage for sewer drains.

Key Takeaways

  • Be careful not to flush certain items in the bathroom because they can cause blockages in the drain or damages to the pipes.
  • Seven household items that you shouldn’t flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
    • Female hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads)
    • Medicines
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Doing this can lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system. This will come at an expense that is unimaginable to you.
  • Sydney Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.

There are 7 household things you shouldn’t flush in the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes can be convenient however, they do not disintegrate like toilet paper and can clog water lines. Throw them away in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

Flushing condoms down the toilet could cause blockages in both your home’s plumbing and the wastewater treatment plant.

3. The cooking grease and oil

Grease and oil must be removed from a container, then thrown in the garbage bin, as they’ll get hard and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.

4. Female hygiene products

Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently marketed by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them can cause problems later when they mix with other things to form a nasty obstruction.

5. Medicines

The flushing of medications should not occur down the toilet because they could contaminate water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is crafted to be strong, which means it won’t fall apart when wet, which can lead to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Unlike with toilet paper, papers have a stronger weave which helps them to break down quickly when they are wet. This means that they will not easily blockage.

The bottom line is that flushing one of these seven things will eventually lead to blocked drains or damaged pipes within the plumbing system of your home, which comes at an unforetold price to you. Be mindful of what you send down the toilet.

Item Reason for not Flushing
Baby wipes Do not break down like toilet paper and can clog your plumbing system. Dispose of them in the trash instead.
Condoms Leads to blockages both at home’s plumbing and treatment plants.
Cooking grease and oil Will harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.
Feminine hygiene products Combining with other items creates a nasty clog despite being marketed as "flushable".
Medications Can contaminate our water sources.
Dental floss Designed to be strong, leading to potential blockages in pipes.
Paper towels Less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, easily causing blockages unlike with toilet paper.

Frequently Asked Question

Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed actually harm my pipes?

Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not break down in water and could block your pipes or sewer system.

Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?

Many "flushable" wipes don’t really break down and may cause clogs in your pipes.

Can I wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet because they don’t dissolve well and can cause obstructions.

Are paper towels okay to flush?

No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and do not break down with the same ease, resulting in the possibility of clogging in the plumbing system.

What happens to medications? Can I flush them in the toilet?

No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways. It’s vital to dispose them in a safe manner by taking your medications to the designated place for drop-off.

If you are dealing with the problem of a blocked drain, don’t hesitate to contact our professional plumbing assistance by calling Sydney Blocked Drains Plumber . We offer unblocking blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to make sure your home isn’t impacted by drainage problems. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Additional Information

Our 5 Star Service Promise to You

Sydney Drain Plumbing Services

Are you experiencing a clogged toilet, blocked shower drain, overflowing drains or an issue with your kitchen sink? We can help you sort out your drain blockage problem quickly and provide the following services:

  • CCTV Drain Inspections
  • Drain Clearing & Drain Cleanin
  • Drain Repairs
  • Pipe Relining
  • Blocked Stormwater Drains
  • Blocked Sewer Drains & Blocked Pipes
  • Blocked Sinks & Blocked Toilets
  • Clogged or Blocked Shower Drain

Clearing blocked drains can be difficult and it’s best to get a professional plumbing service involved to tackle it for you, To get your blocked drain in Sydney cleared today, contact Sydney Blocked Drains Plumber now and speak to one of our friendly team members.

8 Reasons To Hire Sydney Blocked Drains Plumber

  • 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week
  • Price Up-Front, No Hidden Fees
  • Prices You Can Trust
  • Quality Workmanship Guaranteed
  • Great Reviews & Reputation
  • We’re Personable & Friendly
  • Experienced & Licenced Team
  • Get a Quote With No Obligation

We Provide 24/7 Emergency Plumbing

No one ever expects to experience a plumbing emergency, but when it does happen, you need a reliable plumbing service that can help you resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

At Sydney Blocked Drains Plumber, we are always here for our customers, day or night, weekends or holidays. We understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, and we are always prepared to help.

If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, please do not hesitate to call us. We will dispatch one of our experienced plumbers to your home or business as soon as possible.

We will work diligently to resolve the issue and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible, contact us today.

Blocked Drains

Blocked Drains

Drain Inspection

Drain Inspection

Drain Cleaning

Drain Cleaning

Drain Repairs

Drain Repairs

About Us &

What We Do

When it comes to plumbing, you want to make sure you’re working with a qualified professional. At our company, we are licensed and insured professionals who are dedicated to providing quality plumbing services.

We’re here to help with all of your plumbing needs, such as blocked drains, CCTV drain inspections, drain repairs and pipe relining.

We understand that plumbing problems can be disruptive and expensive. That’s why we offer 24×7 emergency service, so you can get the help you need when you need it most.

We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work, so you can be confident that you’re making the best decision for your home.

Identify tree roots in your pipes with our cctv inspections and nabish them from your drains with our pip repairs and pipe relining.

Blocked Drain, CCTV Inspections & Pipe Relining
Make an Enquiry

Request a Quote

Fill out the form below to get in touch or call us today on
0488 827 378