7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Perth Blocked Drains Plumbing on 13 Dec 2025

Toilets are a typical home appliance that we are using every day. We tend to think of its convenience for granted, but it’s crucial to remember that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. There are certain items that should not be flushed down the drain because they can cause obstruction within the drainage system or damage to sewer pipes.

Key Takeaways

  • Don’t flush certain items in the toilet, as they could block the drain or the damage of sewer lines.
  • Seven household items you should never flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Cooking grease and oil
    • Feminine hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads)
    • Medical Treatment
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Doing this can lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines in your home’s plumbing system. This can result in an expense that is unimaginable to you.
  • Perth Blocked Drains Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.

Seven household objects should not be flushed into the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes are a convenient option but they don’t break down like toilet paper and can clog the plumbing in your home. Put them in the trash instead.

2. Condoms

Flushing condoms down the toilet could cause blockages in the plumbing of your home as well as wastewater treatment plants.

3. Cooking grease and oil

Oil and grease should be removed from the container before throwing it away in the garbage bin, as they’ll harden, causing blockages in your drains or pipes.

4. Feminine hygiene products

Tampons and sanitary pad are usually marketed by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them could cause issues later on when they join with other products to create a nasty obstruction.

5. Medications

The flushing of medications should not occur through the toilet, as they can contaminate our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is created to be sturdy that means it will not be able to break in water, causing possible blockages in your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Unlike with toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave which makes them less likely to break down quickly when wet, meaning they can easily blockage.

The bottom line is that flushing any of the seven items could result in blocked drains and damaged pipes in your plumbing system which will incur a huge expense to the homeowner. Be aware of the things 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

Can flushing feminine hygiene products really damage my pipes?

Yes. Female hygiene products don’t dissolve in water and may cause blockages to the sewer or your pipes.

Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?

There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes do not really break down and can lead to clogs in your pipes.

Can I use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed into the toilet since they are not able to dissolve easily and could cause blockages.

Are paper towels suitable to flush?

No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and do not break down as easily, leading to the possibility of clogging in your plumbing system.

What about medications? Do I have to flush them through the toilet?

No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways, so it’s vital to dispose the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing the containers to an appropriate location for disposal.

If you’re dealing with a blocked drain, don’t hesitate to contact our professional plumbing services at Perth Blocked Drains Plumbing . We provide unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to make sure your home remains free from issues with drainage. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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