7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
Toilets are a common household fixture that we all are using every day. It’s easy to take its use as something we take for granted, but it’s vital to remember that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. There are some things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet because they can cause obstruction in the drain or damage the sewer pipe.
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 you should never flush down the drain are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking grease
- Products for female hygiene (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Medical Treatment
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- The act of flushing any of these items can result in blockages in drains or damaged pipelines inside your home’s plumbing system, which will result in an unforetold cost to you.
- Local Sydney Blocked Drains offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining.
These are the seven items in your home you should never flush into the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes may seem convenient however they don’t dissolve like toilet paper, and they can block the plumbing in your home. Put them in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Flushing condoms down the toilet can result in blockages of the plumbing of your home as well as wastewater treatment plants.
3. The cooking grease and oil
Grease and oil should be put in a container, then thrown in the trash, because they will harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.
4. Products for feminine hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pad are usually marketed to be "flushable, " but flushing them could cause problems later when they are combined with other items and cause a clog.
5. Medications
Medicines should not be flushed down the toilet because they could contaminate water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is designed to be tough so it won’t split in water, leading to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
In contrast to toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave, which helps them to degrade quickly after being they are wet. This means that they will not easily cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing any of the seven items will eventually lead to blocked drains or damaged pipes in your plumbing system that will result in a significant cost to the homeowner. Stay mindful of what you send 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. |
Frequently Asked Question
Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed really damage my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not break down in water and could block your sewer pipes.
Are flushable wipes truly flushable?
There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes do not necessarily break down quickly and can lead to clogs in your pipes.
Can I wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet since they are not able to dissolve easily and can cause blockages.
Do paper towels need to be used to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and aren’t broken down with the same ease, resulting in potential clogs in the plumbing system.
What about medications? Can I flush those down the toilet?
No. Medications can contaminate our waterways, which is why it’s crucial to dispose of them in a safe manner by taking your medications to the designated location for disposal.
If you’re faced with blockage of your drain Don’t delay in calling our professional plumbing services at Local Sydney Blocked Drains . We provide unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure that your home isn’t impacted by plumbing issues. Call us now to make an appointment.
Additional Information
- 5 Ways to Keep Your Drains Clear and Running Smoothly
- DIY Tips for Unclogging Your Shower Drain Without Harsh Chemicals
- Don't Let a Clogged Drain Put a Damper on Your Business: Get Regular Inspections
- The Benefits of Using CCTV Drain Inspection for Pipe Relining Services
- Maximizing the Benefits of a CCTV Drain Inspection: Preparations You Should Make
- Resolve your clogged drain situation with the finest plumber available
- CCTV Drain Inspections: The Key to Preventing Clogs and Other Plumbing Issues
- Speed Up Drain Cleaning with High Pressure Processes
- Why Condo Complexes are Switching to Trenchless Pipe Relining Methods
- Effortlessly and Without Effort Clear Your Drains with this Do-It-Yourself Guide
