7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted by Perth Blocked Drains Plumber on 3 Dec 2025

The toilet is a ubiquitous home appliance that we regularly use. The temptation is to consider its use as a given, but it’s important to remember that it’s a toilet, not a garbage can. Certain things should not go down the drain since they can cause blockage inside the sewer or damage the sewer pipe.

Key Takeaways

  • Be careful not to flush certain items in the bathroom because they could block the drain or damage to sewer pipes.
  • Seven household items that you should never to flush down the toilet are:
    • Baby wipes
    • Condoms
    • Cooking grease and oil
    • Female hygiene products (tampons and pads for sanitary use)
    • Medicines
    • Dental floss
    • Paper towels
  • Flushing any of these items could result in blocked drains or damaged sewer pipelines within your home’s plumbing system which comes at an unimaginable cost to you.
  • Perth Blocked Drains Plumber offers unblocking blocked drains Drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services.

Seven household objects you shouldn’t flush down the drain.

1. Baby wipes

Baby wipes are a convenient option however, they do not break down as easily as toilet paper, and they can block water lines. You should dispose of them in the garbage instead.

2. Condoms

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

3. Food preparation grease and oil

Oil and grease must be disposed of in a container, then thrown in the trash, as they’ll harden, causing blockages in your drains and pipes.

4. Produits for female hygiene

Tampons and sanitary pad are usually advertised by their name as "flushable, " but flushing them could cause troubles later on if they mix with other things and cause a obstruction.

5. Medicines

Medicines should not be flushed into the toilet as they could pollute our water sources.

6. Dental floss

Dental floss is created to be tough so it won’t fall apart in water, leading to potential blockages in your pipes.

7. Paper towels

Unlike with toilet paper, paper towels have a thicker weave that will make them less likely to break down quickly when wet, which means they won’t easily blockage.

If you flush any of the seven items could result in blocked drains and damaged pipes in your plumbing system which comes at an unforetold price to you. 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 Question

Do feminine hygiene products that are flushed really damage my pipes?

Yes. Female hygiene products don’t break down in water and may cause blockages to the sewer or your pipes.

Are flushable wipes really flushable?

Many "flushable" wipes do not disintegrate easily and can cause clogs in your pipes.

Do I have to use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?

No. Baby wipes should not be flushed down the toilet because they don’t dissolve easily and could cause blockages.

Are paper towels okay to flush?

No. Paper towels are thicker than toilet paper and will not break down so easily, resulting in the possibility of clogging in the plumbing system.

What about medication? Can I flush those down the toilet?

No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways. It’s crucial to dispose of them correctly by taking these to designated drop-off point.

If you are dealing with an unblocking drain, don’t be afraid to contact our professional plumbing assistance by calling Perth Blocked Drains Plumber . We provide unblocking blocked drains and drain clearing CCTV drain inspection as well as pipe relining services to ensure your home remains free from drainage problems. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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