7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a standard home appliance that we are using every day. It’s easy to take its utility as a given, but it’s important to remember that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. Certain things shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet since they can cause blockage in the drain or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things in the toilet, as they can cause blockages in the drain, or cause harm to pipes in the sewer.
- Seven household items you shouldn’t to flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Products for feminine hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Meds
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Doing this could result in blockages in drains or damaged pipelines within your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an unimaginable cost to you.
- Sydney Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
Here are seven household items that you shouldn’t flush down the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes might seem useful, but they do not break down as easily as toilet paper. They can also clog your plumbing system. Throw them away in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet could cause blockages in both the plumbing in your home and wastewater treatment facilities.
3. Cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease must be removed from the container, and then disposed of in the trash, because they’ll harden, causing obstructions in your drains, or pipes.
4. Female hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pads are typically marketed as "flushable, " but flushing them will only lead to troubles later on if they mix with other things to form a nasty clog.
5. Medications
The flushing of medications should not occur in the toilet since they can contaminate our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is designed to be durable so it won’t break apart when wet, which can lead to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
In contrast to toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave which will make them less likely to break down quickly when wet, which means they won’t easily cause blockages.
If you flush any of these items can lead to blocked drains and damaged pipelines within your plumbing system which can result in an unexpected expense to the homeowner. Stay mindful of what you flush 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. |
FAQ
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed really damage my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not disintegrate in water, and may cause blockages to your sewer or pipes.
Are flushable wipes truly flushable?
There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes don’t necessarily break down quickly and could cause clogs to your pipes.
Do I have to wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never 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 more dense than toilet paper and do not break down as easily, leading to possible clogs in your plumbing system.
What about medications? Do I have to flush them into the toilet?
No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways, so it’s crucial to dispose of them properly by taking them to a designated drop-off point.
If you are dealing with an unblocking drain, don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing solutions at Sydney Blocked Drains Plumber . We offer unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to ensure your home is free of plumbing issues. Call us today for an appointment.
Additional Information
- The Pros and Cons of Clearing Blocked Drains Yourself or Hiring a Professional
- Why Trenchless Pipe Relining is the Future of Condominium Plumbing
- Effective Tips for Unclogging Your Drains and Keeping a Blockage-Free Home
- Ways to Confirm & Detect a Obstructed Pipeline
- CCTV Drain Inspections: A faster, Accurate and Effective Means of Identifying Root Issues in Drains
- Get rid of a Clogged Shower Drain with The subsequent Step-by-Step Tutorial
- Save Future Expenses with CCTV Drain Inspection for Home Buyers
- Avoid Common Mistakes: Expert Tips on Choosing the Best Pipe Relining Material
- Avoid Drain Blockages: Tips to Steer Clear of These 5 Common Triggers
- Uncovering the Main Causes of Blocked Drains
