7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Perth Blocked Drains Plumber on 2 Oct 2024

The toilet is a ubiquitous home appliance that we use daily. It’s easy to take the convenience of it for granted, however it’s crucial to remember that it’s not a trash can. Certain things should not go down the drain as they can cause blockage in the drain or damage to sewer pipes.

Key Takeaways

  • Do not flush certain things in the toilet, as they can cause blockages in the drain, or cause harm to pipes in the sewer.
  • Seven household items you shouldn’t flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Oil and cooking oil, as well as cooking grease
    • Products for feminine hygiene (tampons and sanitary pads)
    • Medical Treatment
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Cleaning any of these items can lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines in your home’s plumbing system. This can result in an unforetold cost to you.
  • Perth Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.

Here are seven household items you should never flush in the toilet.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes may seem convenient however, they do not dissolve like toilet paper and can clog pipes. Throw them away in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

Dissolving condoms in the toilet can lead to blockages in the plumbing of your home as well as wastewater treatment plants.

3. Cooking grease and oil

Oil and grease must be removed from a container, and then disposed of in the trash, because they can harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes.

4. Feminine hygiene products

Tampons and sanitary pads are typically marketed in the form of "flushable, " but flushing them can cause troubles later on if they combine with other items to cause a terrible clog.

5. Medicines

Medicines should not be flushed down the toilet because they could pollute our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is created to be durable and durable, meaning it won’t break apart in water, causing potential blockages in your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Unlike with toilet paper, the paper towels have a more dense weave that means they are less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, meaning they can quickly cause blockages.

If you flush any of the seven items will eventually lead to blocked drains or damaged pipelines in your plumbing system which comes at an unforetold price to you. Be mindful of the items 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.

Frequently Asked Question

Does flushing feminine hygiene products actually harm my pipes?

Yes. The products used to clean your female hygiene don’t dissolve in water and could block the sewer or your pipes.

Are flushable wipes really flushable?

There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes don’t actually break down easily and could cause clogs to your pipes.

Can I flush baby wipes down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet since they won’t dissolve well and can cause obstructions.

Are paper towels suitable to flush?

No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper and aren’t broken down so easily, resulting in potential clogs in your plumbing system.

What happens to medications? Can I flush those in the toilet?

No. Medicines can be harmful to our waterways. Therefore, it’s vital to dispose them in a safe manner by taking these to designated location for disposal.

If you are dealing with blockage of your drain do not delay in calling our professional plumbing service for assistance at Perth Blocked Drains Plumber . We provide unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing, CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure that your home is free of drainage problems. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

Additional Information

Our 5 Star Service Promise to You

Perth Drain Plumbing Services

Are you experiencing a clogged toilet, blocked shower drain, overflowing drains or an issue with your kitchen sink? We can help you sort out your drain blockage problem quickly and provide the following services:

  • CCTV Drain Inspections
  • Drain Clearing & Drain Cleanin
  • Drain Repairs
  • Pipe Relining
  • Blocked Stormwater Drains
  • Blocked Sewer Drains & Blocked Pipes
  • Blocked Sinks & Blocked Toilets
  • Clogged or Blocked Shower Drain

Clearing blocked drains can be difficult and it’s best to get a professional plumbing service involved to tackle it for you, To get your blocked drain in Perth cleared today, contact Perth Blocked Drains Plumber now and speak to one of our friendly team members.

8 Reasons To Hire Perth Blocked Drains Plumber

  • 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week
  • Price Up-Front, No Hidden Fees
  • Prices You Can Trust
  • Quality Workmanship Guaranteed
  • Great Reviews & Reputation
  • We’re Personable & Friendly
  • Experienced & Licenced Team
  • Get a Quote With No Obligation

We Provide 24/7 Emergency Plumbing

No one ever expects to experience a plumbing emergency, but when it does happen, you need a reliable plumbing service that can help you resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

At Perth Blocked Drains Plumber, we are always here for our customers, day or night, weekends or holidays. We understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, and we are always prepared to help.

If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, please do not hesitate to call us. We will dispatch one of our experienced plumbers to your home or business as soon as possible.

We will work diligently to resolve the issue and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible, contact us today.

Blocked Drains

Blocked Drains

Drain Inspection

Drain Inspection

Drain Cleaning

Drain Cleaning

Drain Repairs

Drain Repairs

About Us &

What We Do

When it comes to plumbing, you want to make sure you’re working with a qualified professional. At our company, we are licensed and insured professionals who are dedicated to providing quality plumbing services.

We’re here to help with all of your plumbing needs, such as blocked drains, CCTV drain inspections, drain repairs and pipe relining.

We understand that plumbing problems can be disruptive and expensive. That’s why we offer 24×7 emergency service, so you can get the help you need when you need it most.

We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work, so you can be confident that you’re making the best decision for your home.

Identify tree roots in your pipes with our cctv inspections and nabish them from your drains with our pip repairs and pipe relining.

Blocked Drain, CCTV Inspections & Pipe Relining
Make an Enquiry

Request a Quote

Fill out the form below to get in touch or call us today on
0488 823 407