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 vital to remember that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. Certain things should not go down the drain because they can cause obstruction inside the sewer or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Do not flush certain things in the toilet, as they can cause blockages in the drain or the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items you should never flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking grease
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Meds
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Cleaning any of these items will ultimately lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an expense that is unimaginable to you.
- Perth Blocked Drains Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing services CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining.
There are 7 household things you shouldn’t flush into the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes can be convenient, but they do not disintegrate like toilet paper. They can also clog water lines. Dispose of them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Toilet paper that contains condoms could cause blockages in both the plumbing in your home and the wastewater treatment plant.
3. The cooking grease and oil
Grease and oil must be removed from a container before throwing it away in the garbage bin, as they can harden and cause blockages in your drains and pipes.
4. Female hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pad are usually marketed by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them is not likely to cause troubles later on if they are combined with other items to form a nasty clog.
5. Medications
It is not recommended to flush medications through the toilet, as they could contaminate water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is made to be durable so it won’t break apart when wet, which can lead to possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Unlike with toilet paper, paper towels have a thicker weave, which helps them to break down quickly when wet, which means they won’t easily cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing one of these seven things can lead to blocked drains and damaged pipelines within your home’s plumbing system which will incur a huge expense to you. Be mindful of what you put down the drain.
| 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. |
Common Questions and Answers
Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? actually harm my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not dissolve in water and may cause blockages to your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
Yes, many "flushable" wipes don’t really break down and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to put baby wipes in the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed down the drain because they don’t dissolve easily and can cause blockages.
Are paper towels safe to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and will not break down so easily, resulting in potential clogs in your plumbing system.
What about medications? Should I flush them into the toilet?
No. Medications can contaminate our waterways, so it’s essential to dispose of them correctly by taking them to a designated location for disposal.
If you’re dealing with a blocked drain, don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing service for assistance at Perth Blocked Drains Plumbing . We offer services to clear blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to ensure that your home is free of drainage problems. Call us now to make an appointment.
Additional Information
- The Ultimate Checklist for a Smooth-flowing CCTV Drain Inspection Experience
- Plumbers' Recommended Picks for Unclogging Pipes: A Comprehensive Handbook
- Methods to Unblock a Bathroom Drain: The Step-by-Step Solution Necessary
- What to Know about Pipe Relining Services for Blocked Drains
- Understanding CCTV Drain Inspection and the Benefits for Your Home
- End Blocked Drains Immediately: Professional Tips to Try Today
- Powerful Guidance for Clearing a Blocked Drain
- High Pressure Drain Cleaning: The Best Solution You Need
- Discover Why Blocked Drain Jetting is the Only Solution You Need
- The Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspections: How Often Should You Carry Them Out?
