7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous home appliance that we utilize every day. The temptation is to consider its convenience as something we take for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s no garbage can. There are some things that shouldn’t be flushed down the drain because they could cause blockage from the pipes or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things into the toilet because they can cause blockages in the drain, or cause damages to the pipes.
- Seven household items that you shouldn’t to flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Meds
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Cleaning any of these items could result in blockages in drains or damaged pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system, which will result in unimaginable expense to you.
- Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
There are 7 household things you shouldn’t flush down the drain.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes are a convenient option but they don’t dissolve like toilet paper, and they can block pipes. You should dispose of them in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet can cause blockages to both your home’s plumbing and wastewater treatment plants.
3. Cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease must be removed from the container before throwing it away in the trash, as they’ll harden, causing obstructions in your drains, or pipes.
4. Female hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pads are often advertised to be "flushable, " but flushing them can cause troubles later on if they join with other products to cause a terrible blockage.
5. Medications
The flushing of medications should not occur through the toilet, as they can be a source of contamination for water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is designed to be durable so it won’t fall apart in water, leading to the possibility of clogging your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Contrary to toilet paper the paper towels have a more dense weave, which means they are less likely to break down quickly when they’re wet. They can quickly cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing any of these seven items can lead to blocked drains and damaged pipes within your home’s plumbing system that will result in a significant expense to you. Be mindful of the items you pour down your 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
Does flushing feminine hygiene products really damage my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not dissolve in water and can cause blockages in your pipes or sewer system.
Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?
There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes do not really break down and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to put baby wipes in the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should not be flushed down the toilet as they do not dissolve well and can cause blockages.
Are paper towels suitable to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper, and they do not break down with the same ease, resulting in the possibility of clogging your plumbing system.
What about medication? Do I have to flush them through the toilet?
No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways. Therefore, it’s essential to dispose of the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing these to designated drop-off location.
If you’re dealing with blockage of your drain Do not hesitate to call our professional plumbing service via Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbers . We provide unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to ensure your home isn’t impacted by issues with drainage. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
Additional Information
- 5 Factors That Are Clogging Your Drains and How to Avoid Them
- How to Clear Blocked Drains in Your Home
- What You Need to Know About Blocked Drains and How to Resolve Them
- Avoiding Clogged Drains: Tips for Homeowners
- DIY Drain Cleaning: How to Safely Tackle Clogged Drains
- CCTV Drain Inspection: A Cost-Effective Solution for Unblocking Blocked Drains
- The Science of Unblock: Unveil How Blocked Drain Jetting Works
- Saving Time and Money with CCTV Drain Inspection for Drain Clearing
- Unclog Your Drains: Speedy Tricks to Try Out Right Now
- Why Calling a Pro for Drain Cleaning is Safer and Smarter
