7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
Toilets are a typical household fixture that we all are using every day. We tend to think of the convenience of it for granted, however it’s important to remember that it’s no garbage can. Certain things shouldn’t to be flushed into the drain as they can cause blockage in the drain or damage the sewer pipe.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things in the toilet, as they could cause blockages in the drain or damage to sewer pipes.
- Seven household items you shouldn’t flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Cooking grease and oil
- Products for feminine hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medicines
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Doing this can lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines in your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an expense that is unimaginable to you.
- Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing services, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
Seven household objects that should not be flushed down the drain.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes can be convenient however they don’t dissolve like toilet paper. They can also clog your plumbing system. Put them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet can result in blockages of both your home’s plumbing and wastewater treatment facilities.
3. Food preparation grease and oil
Grease and oil should be put in a container, and then disposed of in the trash, because they’ll get hard and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.
4. Female hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pads are often advertised in the form of "flushable, " but flushing them can cause issues later on when they mix with other things and cause a obstruction.
5. Medications
It is not recommended to flush medications in the toilet since they can contaminate our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is created to be tough, which means it won’t fall apart when wet, which can lead to possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
In contrast to toilet paper, paper towels have a thicker weave which means they are less likely to degrade quickly after being wet, meaning they can quickly cause blockages.
If you flush any of the seven items can lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines within your home’s plumbing system that will result in a significant cost to you. 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 & Answers
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed cause damage to my pipes?
Yes. Female hygiene products don’t break down in water and could block your sewer pipes.
Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?
Many "flushable" wipes do not disintegrate easily and may cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should not be flushed down the toilet because they don’t dissolve easily and could cause blockages.
Do paper towels need to be used to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and do not break down with the same ease, resulting in the possibility of clogging your plumbing system.
What about medications? Do I have to flush them down the toilet?
No. The toxins in medicines can affect our waterways, so it’s important to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking your medications to the designated drop-off point.
If you are dealing with an unblocking drain, don’t delay in calling our professional plumbing solutions via Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbers . We can help you unblock blocked drains and drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure that your home isn’t impacted by plumbing issues. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
Additional Information
- Mastering Plumbing Remedies for Persistent Clogged Pipes
- Get Rid of Drain Blockages Permanently with These Tested Approaches
- Keeping Costly Drain Repairs at Bay with Routine Inspections
- Find the trusted plumber for your backed up drain emergency
- Tips and Tricks for Fixing a Blocked Drain with Ease
- Learning High Pressure Drain Cleaning Thoroughly
- Reasons Why CCTV Drain Inspection is a Must Before Purchasing a Property
- What You Need to Know About Blocked Drains and How to Resolve Them
- When to Call a Professional for Blocked Drains: A Guide
- Say Goodbye to Frequent Clogging: Reasons to Invest in Pipe Relining Services
