7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous fixture in the home that we are using every day. The temptation is to consider its use for granted, however it’s important to remember that it’s no garbage can. There are some things that should never ever be flushed away down the toilet as they can cause blockage from the pipes or damage for sewer drains.
Key Takeaways
- Be careful not to flush certain items in the bathroom because they could block the drain, or cause the damage of sewer lines.
- Seven household items that 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)
- Medications
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Cleaning any of these items will ultimately lead to blockages in drains or damaged pipes within your plumbing system. This will come at an unforetold cost to you.
- Perth Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains drainage clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.
These are the seven items in your home you should never flush into the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes might seem useful however they don’t dissolve like toilet paper and could clog the plumbing in your home. Throw them away in the trash instead.
2. Condoms
Dissolving condoms in the toilet can cause blockages to both your plumbing system and the wastewater treatment plant.
3. The cooking grease and oil
Grease and oil must be removed from the container and thrown away in the garbage, since they’ll get hard and cause obstructions in your drains, or pipes.
4. Products for feminine hygiene
Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently marketed in the form of "flushable, " but flushing them can cause problems later when they mix with other things to cause a terrible blockage.
5. Medications
The flushing of medications should not occur down the toilet because they could pollute our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is created to be durable that means it will not fall apart in water, causing possible blockages in your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Contrary to toilet paper paper towels have a thicker weave that will make them less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, which means they won’t easily cause blockages.
In conclusion, flushing any of these items could result in blocked drains or damaged pipes within your plumbing system that will result in a significant expense to the homeowner. Be aware of the things 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
Does flushing feminine hygiene products actually harm my pipes?
Yes. The products used to clean your female hygiene don’t break down in water and could cause blockages in your sewer or pipes.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
There is no need to worry, most "flushable" wipes don’t disintegrate easily and could cause clogs to your pipes.
Do I have to flush baby wipes down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes should never be flushed into the toilet since they are not able to dissolve easily and could cause blockages.
Are paper towels safe to flush?
No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and do not break down so easily, resulting in possible clogs in the plumbing system.
What are the implications of medications? Do I have to flush them in the toilet?
No. The toxins in medicines can affect our waterways, which is why it’s crucial to dispose of them properly by taking the containers to an appropriate drop-off location.
If you’re dealing with a blocked drain, don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing service by calling Perth Blocked Drains Plumber . We offer services to clear blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to ensure your home is not impacted by plumbing issues. Call us today for an appointment.
Additional Information
- Expert Manual to Plumbing Cleaning for a Blockage-Free Home
- CCTV Drain Inspection: Find Out How it Helps Pinpoint Root Infiltration in Your Pipes
- Say Goodbye to Blocked Drains: A Decade of Preventive Steps for Your Home
- Say Goodbye to Messy Plumbing Repairs with Trenchless Pipe Relining
- Blocked Drain Emergency? Here�s What You Need to Know About DIY vs. Professionals
- Eliminate Drain Blockages Permanently with These Effective Techniques
- Save Money and Time with Preventative Drain Care Practices
- DIY Drain Cleaning: How to Safely Tackle Clogged Drains
- The Ultimate Guide to Drain Clearing Services
- Unblock Your Pipes: Simple Tips to Try Out Now
