7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Local Sydney Blocked Drains on 3 Oct 2024

Toilets are a common home appliance that we utilize every day. There’s a tendency to accept its use as something we take for granted, but it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s no garbage can. There are some things that should not go down the toilet since they can cause blockage from the pipes or damage in sewer lines.

Key Takeaways

  • Don’t flush certain items into the toilet because they could cause blockages in the drain, or cause the damage of sewer lines.
  • Seven household items you shouldn’t flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking fat
    • Feminine hygiene products (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Medications
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • The act of flushing any of these items can lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines in your home’s plumbing system. This will come at unimaginable expense to you.
  • Local Sydney Blocked Drains offers unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining.

Here are seven household items you should never flush down the drain.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes are a convenient option however, they do not disintegrate like toilet paper, and they can block pipes. Throw them away in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

The flushing of condoms in the toilet can result in blockages of both the plumbing in your home and the wastewater treatment plant.

3. Cooking grease and oil

Oil and grease should be removed from a container, then thrown in the trash, as they can harden and cause blockages in your drains and pipes.

4. Products for feminine hygiene

Tampons and sanitary pads are typically marketed as "flushable, " but flushing them could cause problems later when they join with other products to create a nasty blockage.

5. Medicines

Medicines should not be flushed through the toilet, as they could contaminate water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is designed to be durable so it won’t break apart when wet, which can lead to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.

7. Paper towels

As opposed to toilet paper Paper towels have a thicker weave, which means they are less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, meaning they can quickly cause blockages.

In the end, flushing any of the seven items could result in blocked drains and damaged pipelines in your plumbing system which can result in an unexpected cost to the homeowner. Be 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 Questions

Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? can cause harm to my pipes?

Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not dissolve in water and could block your pipes or sewer system.

Are flushable wipes truly flushable?

Yes, many "flushable" wipes do not disintegrate easily and can cause clogs in your pipes.

Can I wash baby wipes by flushing them down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes should never be flushed down the drain since they are not able to dissolve well and can cause blockages.

Are paper towels okay to flush?

No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and do not break down so easily, resulting in possible clogs in the plumbing system.

What about medication? Should I flush them into the toilet?

No. The toxins in medicines can affect our waterways, which is why it’s crucial to dispose of them properly by taking these to designated place for drop-off.

If you’re dealing with an unblocking drain, don’t hesitate to contact our professional plumbing services by calling Local Sydney Blocked Drains . We can help you unblock blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to make sure your home is free of plumbing issues. Call us today for an appointment.

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