7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous fixture in our homes that we are using every day. We tend to think of its convenience for granted, however it’s important to remember that it’s not a trash can. There are certain items that should never to be flushed into the drain because they could cause blockage in the drain or damage for sewer drains.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things in the toilet, as they could block the drain or harm to pipes in the sewer.
- Seven household items you should never flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
- Female hygiene products (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Medical Treatment
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- The act of flushing any of these items will ultimately lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system. This will come at an unimaginable cost to you.
- Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbers offers unblocking blocked drains Drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.
Here are seven household items that you should never flush into the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes may seem convenient however, they do not dissolve like toilet paper and could clog water lines. Dispose of them in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet can result in blockages of both your plumbing system and wastewater treatment plants.
3. cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease should be disposed of in a container before throwing it away in the garbage bin, as they can harden and cause obstructions in your drains or pipes.
4. Products for feminine hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently advertised as "flushable, " but flushing them is not likely to cause troubles later on if they combine with other items to form a nasty clog.
5. Medications
The flushing of medications should not occur through the toilet, as they could pollute our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is crafted to be tough so it won’t fall apart in water, leading to possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
As opposed to toilet paper paper towels have a thicker weave, which means they are less likely to break down quickly when they’re wet. They can easily blockage.
If you flush one of these seven things could result in blocked drains and damaged pipes in your plumbing system which can result in an unexpected cost to you. Stay mindful of what 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. |
FAQ
Can flushing feminine hygiene products actually harm my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not dissolve in water and can cause blockages in your sewer or pipes.
Can flushable wipes be truly flushable?
There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes don’t actually break down easily and could cause clogs to your pipes.
Do I have to use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed into the toilet as they do not dissolve quickly and could cause blockages.
Are paper towels okay to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and don’t break down so easily, resulting in possible clogs in your plumbing system.
What about medication? Do I have to flush them down the toilet?
No. Medications can contaminate our waterways. Therefore, it’s vital to dispose the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing these to designated drop-off location.
If you are dealing with an unblocking drain, don’t hesitate to contact our professional plumbing solutions for assistance at Sydney Blocked Drains Plumbers . We provide unblocking blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to ensure your home isn’t impacted by drain issues. Call us today for an appointment.
Additional Information
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