7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbers on 6 Sep 2024

Toilets are a typical home appliance that we are using every day. We tend to think of its convenience as something we take for granted, but it’s vital to remember that it’s not a garbage can. Certain things shouldn’t ever be flushed away down the toilet because they can cause obstruction in the drain or damage to sewer pipes.

Key Takeaways

  • Don’t flush certain items down 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 include:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Cooking grease and oil
    • Products for feminine hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Medicines
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Flushing any of these items will ultimately lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines within your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an expense that is unimaginable to you.
  • Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining.

There are 7 household things you should never flush down the drain.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes might seem useful however they don’t break down as easily as toilet paper, and they can block the plumbing in your home. Throw them away in the trash instead.

2. Condoms

Toilet paper that contains condoms could cause blockages in both your home’s plumbing and the wastewater treatment plant.

3. cooking grease and oil

Grease and oil should be disposed of in a container, and then disposed of in the trash, as they can harden and cause blockages in your drains and pipes.

4. Female hygiene products

Tampons and sanitary pads are typically marketed to be "flushable, " but flushing them will only lead to trouble later on when they mix with other things to form a nasty blockage.

5. Medicines

Medications should never be flushed down the toilet because they can be a source of contamination for water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is made to be durable, which means it won’t break apart in water, leading to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Contrary to toilet paper the paper towels have a more dense weave that makes them less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, which means they won’t easily blockage.

In the end, flushing any of these items can lead to blocked drains and damaged pipelines in your plumbing system which will incur a huge price to you. Be mindful of the items 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.

FAQs

Can flushing feminine hygiene products really damage my pipes?

Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not dissolve in water and could cause blockages in your pipes or sewer system.

Are flushable wipes really flushable?

Many "flushable" wipes don’t actually break down easily and may cause clogs in your pipes.

Do I have to put baby wipes in the toilet?

No. Baby wipes should not be flushed down the drain as they do not dissolve easily and can cause blockages.

Are paper towels suitable to flush?

No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper, and they don’t break down as easily, leading to the possibility of clogging the plumbing system.

What about medications? Can I flush those down the toilet?

No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways, so it’s essential to dispose of them correctly by taking them to a designated location for disposal.

If you’re faced with a blocked drain Do not hesitate to call our professional plumbing services at Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbers . We can help you unblock blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to make sure your home remains free from plumbing issues. Call us today for an appointment.

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