7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
Toilets are a common home appliance that we use daily. There’s a tendency to accept the convenience of it for granted, but it’s vital to remember that it’s no garbage can. Certain things shouldn’t go down the toilet since they can cause blockage in the drain or damage to sewer pipes.
Key Takeaways
- Be careful not to flush certain items in the bathroom because they could block the drain or harm to pipes in the sewer.
- Seven household items that you shouldn’t to flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
- Medicines
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- The act of flushing any of these items can lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipelines in your home’s plumbing system which comes at unimaginable expense to you.
- Perth Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.
Seven household objects that you should never flush in the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes might seem useful however they don’t break down like toilet paper. They can also clog pipes. Throw them away in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
The flushing of condoms in the toilet can lead to blockages in both your home’s plumbing and wastewater treatment facilities.
3. Cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease should be removed from a container, and then disposed of in the trash, because they can harden and cause obstructions 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 trouble later on when they join with other products to create a nasty blockage.
5. Medications
Medications should never be flushed down the toilet because they could pollute our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is created to be strong so it won’t be able to break in water, causing the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Unlike with 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.
The bottom line is that flushing any of these seven items can lead to blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines within the plumbing system of your home, which will incur a huge cost 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. |
FAQs
Does flushing feminine hygiene products really damage my pipes?
Yes. Feminine hygiene products do not disintegrate in water, and could cause blockages in your pipes or sewer system.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
Many "flushable" wipes don’t really break down and can lead to 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 won’t dissolve well and can cause blockages.
Do paper towels need to be used to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper, and they do not break down so easily, resulting in possible clogs in the plumbing system.
What about medications? Do I have to flush them in the toilet?
No. The toxins in medicines can affect our waterways, which is why it’s vital to dispose the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing these to designated drop-off point.
If you are dealing with blockage of your drain, don’t be afraid to contact our professional plumbing services at Perth Blocked Drains Plumber . We provide unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services to ensure your home remains free from plumbing issues. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Additional Information
- The Top Causes of Blocked Drains and Their Simple Solutions
- How CCTV Drain Inspection Can Save You Money in the Long Run
- CCTV Drain Inspection: An Effective Way to Prevent Future Plumbing Issues
- Avoiding Clogged Drains: Tips for Homeowners
- Save Money and Time with Preventative Drain Care Practices
- Top Reasons to Avoid DIY Drain Unblocking
- How to Tell You Need Drain Clearing Services for Your Business
- Tips to Understand When it's Time to Pick Up the Phone for Professional Drain Cleaning
- Prevent blockages effortlessly with effective solutions
- Unblock Your Drains with Ease: The Power of Blocked Drain Jetting
